Revelation 22:7 – “And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”
I have seen miracles in my life – people healed, dreams while asleep, visions while awake, deliverance from crippling demonic oppression, and much more. I have also seen demonic counterfeits. Just like in the days of the Exodus where God had miracles and his servant Moses, demonic powers did counterfeit miracles by their servants under Pharaoh.
Apparently, the false prophets of Asherah and Baal were accustomed to seeing counterfeit signs and wonders, which explains why they showed up expectant for the showdown on Mount Carmel. 1 John 4:1 tells us, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” This remains true today as the same demons are at work in the world.
Since miracles are, by definition, non-repeatable, one-time events, miracles do happen, but not frequently, and sometimes are never to be repeated. This is precisely what happens at the end of Elijah’s life when God sends a chariot to pick him up and fly him first class to Heaven without ever dying.
For the believer, there is much hope in this scene of Elijah. The Great War started in Heaven when Satan and demons declared war on God and the angels (Revelation 12:7-9). Many of the battles in Scripture and history are part of the Great War. The defeat of Baal at Mount Carmel is a foreshadowing to the end of time recorded in the book of Revelation where Jesus will return as the greater Elijah to make war against the demonic political and spiritual leaders continuing in the spirit of Ahab and Jezebel. He will bring fire with Him and cease their ability to do evil as Elijah did to the prophets of Baal and Asherah.
Just as the temporary curse of a drought was lifted after the battle, so too the curse over all creation will be lifted once Jesus wins The Great War, ending all wars. Until then, God’s people are to remain faithful like Elijah, public with our faith, bold, praying for God’s power to vindicate His fame, standing up against lies and evil, while discerning like Jesus warned of the last days, “…false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.” (Matthew 24:24).
Read Revelation 12 to learn more about the start of the Great War in Heaven (unseen realm), which affects the battles fought on earth (seen realm). To learn even more about the unseen realm, watch the sermon series “Win Your War” here: https://realfaith.com/sermon-series/win-your-war/.
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