7000 people of God did not bow to the idols imposed on Elijah’s nation forced to worship strange gods. God’s Remnant in face of adversity refused to bow to idols against God’s commands to serve only a Living God. Despite the pressure put on the prophets many remained loyal some in caves hidden from those persecuting them. On Mount Horeb in Israel in the dark cave sits the lonely prophet of God. This Godly elderly man, probably in his eighties felt all alone, completely given up on society. Forty days earlier, the prophet begged God to strike him dead. He was convinced, “This nation is too far gone. And the church is backslidden beyond repair. Every leader was puppet of the devil revival is simply impossible. There’s no hope Lord please take my life in 1 Kings 19:4. The saintly Elijah came to a despairing state hours after he won greatest victory of lifelong ministry. On Mount Carmel, Elijah faced 850 false prophets in a life-or-death showdown over whose God would prevail. Some 450 of these prophets served the pagan god Baal; the other 400 were priests of the idolatrous groves built by wicked Queen Jezebel. In a demonic ritual baal prophets danced and wailed, trying to awaken their god. The frenzy ended, the prophets lay bleeding profusely, totally exhausted. Elijah steps up on his turn so simply calls on the LORD and instantly supernatural fire fell from heaven. The engulfing blast of heat consumed the prophet’s sacrifice and twelve barrelfuls of water poured around it. It consumed the rocks on the altar. Awesome display of God’s almighty power. The false prophets trembled at the sight. And the backslidden Israelites who present all fell to their knees crying, “The LORD, HE is GOD the LORD HE is God in vrs. 18:39. Elijah the 850 false prophets so revival was back in Israel awakening Elijah had prayed for finally came or so he thought “This is God’s hour, the beginning of the renewal preached about so long.” Elijah so energized outran King Ahab’s chariot for twenty-five miles, back to the capital city, Jezreel. Thinking “Who can stand against what God has done today? This nation’s sensual, ungodly government must collapse with Jezebel’s next. She, racing back to her idolatrous father in Zidon. She’s heard about the fire from heaven so wants to escape Holy Ghost’s purge. The greatest moment in Israel’s history!” Elijah was convinced people would listen to him, determined to go straight to abandoned temple, to restore pure worship in Jezreel. But before he came near the city, he was accosted by a messenger from Jezebel. That the queen threatens, “the gods do to me and more also, if I make not his life as the life of one of them by tomorrow this time” in vrs 19:2. She told Elijah, “got one day to live, prophet before slayed the way slew idol priests.” Within twenty-four hours of incredible victory on Mount Carmel, Elijah is back in wilderness, trembling under a juniper tree, everything had backfired, overnight, all his hopes for the national renewal vanished.
Elijah who pours water on his sacrifice and still gets fire from heaven is forty days in mountain cave, alone.”So Elijah decided, “It’s all over if miraculous fire from heaven can’t motivate backslidden people, then nothing can.” The word of the Lord came to him, and HE said to him, What are you doing here, Elijah?” in vrs. 19:9. God’s was saying, “What is it bothering you, Elijah? What’s your complaint? So suddenly prophet unburdened his pent-up heart: “I was jealous for the LORD God of hosts as children of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down the altars, and slain your prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away” in 19:10. What Elijah said was true that God’s people in sad state, wickedness abounds in Israel. And true prophets maligned and words mocked. In spite of this, Elijah remained faithful, wholly given to God’s cause and prayed fervently for revival so wrongly thinks he alone carried LORD’s burden. Elijah, felt was the only sin-hating, God-fearing preacher left in nation.” Elijah was overcome by loneliness was saying, “LORD, if others are as zealous for you as I am, where are they? I don’t see anyone crying out against sin as I do.” The fact is, praying people often are loners few are great socializing mixers. Those who wrestle with the LORD in prayer share burden of HIS heart. They see as God Sees, able to discern the true condition of God’s people, sobered by all the flesh and foolishness seen in life. So it drives them to their faces, praying as Elijah did with broken heart of concern. If you’re a person of prayer, probably felt alone, as Elijah did. Perhaps you too mourn over your nation. Maybe you cry out, as Amos did, “LORD, don’t let me sit back in ease while such great bondage exists in your church.” You wonder, as Elijah did, “Where are the Godly leaders and brokenhearted shepherds? Where are those who believe in holiness not the fleshly methods? Felt like out-of-step fanatic. Please, Lord, bring fellowship with others who see things I’m seeing.” So Elijah, alone in cave overwhelmed by loneliness hears still, small voice asking, “What are you doing here, Elijah? in 1 Kings 19:13. Once more, Elijah replied, “I, even I only, am left and they seek my life, to take it away” in 19:14. This time God answered him, “You’re not alone, Elijah, you’ll meet my servant Hazael. I want you to anoint him king over Syria. There’s Godly Jehu, you are to anoint as king over Israel. There is young prophet Elisha who will serve beside you.” The LORD said to Elijah, “I have remaining in Israel seven thousand prophets all whose knees have not bowed unto Baal, and all whose mouths have not kissed him in vrs 19:18. God said, “I’ve got 7,000 hidden ones, men and women who haven’t given in to the spirit of this age. They’re growing in MY Spirit, they all share same burden as you.” These 7,000 includes 100 true prophets hidden in caves by Godly Obadiah the high-ranking governor who served in evil King Ahab’s household. He hid 100 prophets in two caves of fifty keeping them alive with bread and water.
Elijah knows all Godly men and Micaiah Godly prophet Ahab jailed prophesying truth to him in 22:8. Elijah knows these but is overcome by loneliness of calling. The 7,000 Holy Remnant people God was preparing today for the Coming Chaos. God hides a remnant in this generation not bowed to idols of this age. The baal worship origin at Tower of Babel, under Nimrod was, “Let us make us a name” in Genesis 11:4. Babel built monument to human success or accomplishment had a top observatory, astrologers followed the heavenly bodies to reach the stars.” In Elijah’s day, baal worshippers got the success, fame and prosperity by kissing idol’s feet sought fulfillment in areas of materialism and sensuality. These baal worshippers were God’s chosen people, so backslidden worshippers of Jehovah. God’s people drawn to blatant idolatry, lusting after idol prosperity. They fled to Egypt, when they faced poverty, hunger and homelessness after Canaan was hit by famine. They saw the baal followers materially rich, reasoned we had plenty of food in Jerusalem bowing to idols and so ‘blessed’ successful without suffering. But ever since we stopped worshipping idols faced hardship so goes back to the burning incense making drink offerings to queen of heaven to get things wanted again in Jeremiah 44:16-19. God’s people fell under seduction of material gospel spirit of greed and covetousness grip so their lives center on wealth recognition. There’s nothing wrong with success if things done in God’s way by clinging to Christ, tithing, submitting to God’s will. But there was unholy mixture, people bowed to Jehovah because in fear of HIS judgment yet covet idol material things. The spirit of baal in nation’s image of pagan gods bronze statue of increasing prosperity, great wealth, fame, human achievement gods nation bow to. A man is considered successful if he amasses billions of money to live the rest of life in ease, obtains recognition, it doesn’t seem to matter if marriage fail, consorts with prostitutes or ruins people in their pursuit of fame, power and wealth still treated epitome of success by world’s standards multitudes strive for. Entire nation asks who wants to be millionaire longing to strike it rich. This concept of success crept into the Church. Seductive baal spirit at work multitudes, believers driven by urgent need to make it big. As a result swept into such expected lavish living and bottomless pits of debt. This spirit produced cockeye view of success similar to the world’s. When Pentecostal movement in Canada held a seminar for “successful pastors,” it stipulated only ministers with congregations of at least 1,000 people could come, large numbers was criterion for success. When at first started working with gangs and addicts in New York introduced to well-known evangelist conducting a crusade at local church shocked, “If you don’t make it by the time you’re fifty, you’ll never hit the big time, got five years left to make it so working on TV series as a last chance to reach the goal.” Was so dumbfounded. What did he mean by “making it”? Did he want some kind of fame? “Making it” meant having enough money to pay the electricity bill at Teen Challenge Center. Or, it meant finding another drug addict who wanted Jesus to deliver them. Too often measure success in ministry by how big a church is or how fat budget. 
If you ask average Christian to describe how God has blessed him, he’ll probably answer, “The LORD has given me a new car, a nice home, a good income.” At one time a person might have answered God blessed me with burden for prayer and a fresh vision for lost souls, renewed my hunger for salvation. Jesus describes the believers as lukewarm who hear the word but cares of world, deceitfulness of riches, and lusts enter in, choke the word so unfruitful in Mark 4:18-19. So things interferes with walk with Jesus is sin if allowed to press into our hearts a drive for success, money or acclaim on knees before baal. Spiritual eyes will be opened and hearts grow hot so zealous for Jesus. In Bible temples of baal were packed so backslidden church was rife with unspeakable evil. That’s when the LORD boasted to Elijah of 7,000 who did not bow as 7,000 righteous saints. They resisted lust for fame and success so are wholly Mine.” We should be grateful to God for many great heroes of the faith: zealous prophets like Elijah, unbending prayer warriors like Daniel and mighty officials like Obadiah, men and women who did mighty exploits such as David and Deborah. I believe it’s right for us to study their examples to discern secrets of a Godly life. Elijah mocks and taunts if baal is god, daydreaming, using toilet, traveling or maybe asleep so wake him up. Despite Elijah’s sarcastic challenge it was evident their God was not alive. So many seek to emulate 7,000 unnamed, unknown servants who did not bow to baal. Hidden men and women of faith, rare and few. I believe the remnant God reserved for HIMSELF the Bible makes clear in all generations a small remnant stands true. In days of chaos, the church faces falling away of believers. And Paul writes at this present time the remnant is elected by grace in Romans 11:5. Jesus warns, “Enter in at the straight gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many go in because the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads to life, and few find it”in Matthew 7:13-14. Elijah’s prayers brought down fire from heaven by cries of 7,000 hidden praying God-lovers. They were in the underground meetings praying in fields serving alone in Ahab’s house, unknown to all but known to the LORD. Faithful in calling intercede, God heard them. Good Success in God’s Eyes is to be totally fulfilled ministering to HIM. God’s Servants make it to share earthly security with the hungry, poor destitute and know the LORD approves ministry. The 100 prophets Obadiah hid lived an isolated existence in caves for three to four years in severe famine had no outside ministry, out of public’s view forgotten by most people, couldn’t share Elijah’s victory on Mount Carmel. God gave devoted servants precious gift of time, days, weeks, years to pray, study, grow, minister to the LORD. God was preparing them for the day when HE releases them to minister to HIS people. These men shepherd all who returned to God under Elijah’s ministry. Years ago the LORD blessed me with time gift pastoring the church, went into woods to preach to birds, trees, no plans, no agenda, no dreams. I only wanted to get to know God’s heart. I prayed daily seek the LORD ministering to HIM. I marked my Bible from cover to cover. Later, as a young, skinny, inexperienced preacher of small congregation in Pennsylvania town, held services in buildings with tarpaper roof congregation of farmers and coal miners. Totally unknown, thanks to example of praying father and grandfather God made me a man of prayer so blessings experienced came from precious early times with the LORD. I was hidden not seen by anyone but God knew my address all along. I’d spent my time wisely. Today, I urge all young ministers to do the same. I hear from the young preachers desperate they can’t find a niche in ministry. My advice is, “Quit looking for ministry. Spend your time seeking God instead. HE knows where to find you. HE calls you when HE Sees you’re ready.” Forget what others are doing, seems bypassing you with grand works but no greater ministry than prayer. Success at God’s Throne ministering to the LORD praying for others is already success in HIS Eyes. All true ministry is birthed in prayer.” 
Mount Carmel in Israel is like long ridge running from north-west to south-east, approximately 20 miles long. Nazareth, is about 9 miles away from the foothills of the mountain by Galilee. Aerial view of Mount Carmel is west from the east showing a rugged plateau. And an aerial photo of present day Mount Carmel, with the city of Haifa. All true ministry is birthed in prayer.” Are you among the 7,000 who haven’t bowed? All through Bible, the number seven is equated with God’s eternal purpose. The number of 7,000 God quoted to Elijah denotes those who make up HIS remnant. People God sets aside for HIMSELF can be 7000 or 7 million, wholly given to HIM. The characteristics of these remnants are: three defining marks:
- An unchangeable commitment to cling to the LORD. The Remnant believer made the single-minded choice to swim against tide of evil. The 7,000 in Elijah’s day stayed true in spite of Israel’s great falling away. Their society had gone mad with sensuality, family members or friends moved toward idolatry. In spite of powerful seductions of the age, the 7,000 able to stand against the tide, endured shame, deprivation and persecution, with no Bibles, preaching or fellowship with outsiders. The more vile their society, the more righteous they grew. Elijah knew the masses were doubled-minded, wanting measure of God and world. He confronted them, saying, “How long will you hop between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow HIM if its baal, follow him in 1 Kings 18:21). Have you made your stand for Jesus? Maybe you’re afraid to break away from old crowd. You want Christ, but want some part of old life. I tell you, it won’t work. You’ll only get sucked back into your old ways. You can’t witness to sinners if you are drinking like them or laughing at their dirty stories. Paul warns, “Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing”s in 2 Corinthians 6:17. At some point, you make commitment, declaring, “I don’t care what others say or do. I am the LORD’s. And I won’t give in to the wicked spirit of this age.”
- A willingness to identify with poor. Society’s trend is to associate with rich and successful, align yourself with suffering class. Like Obadiah, you may have measure of success or stature. Although a Godly man and governor in Jezebel’s house he determined to fear God alone. And he proved his heart was with poor by taking care of those 100 ragged, suffering prophets. Thank God for all believers who successfully Bless ministry by generous gifts yet love to identify with needs of the poor. God chooses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise or weak things of world to confound things mighty; base things of the world; things despised, God chose so no flesh should GLORY in HIS PRESENCE in 1 Corinthians 1:27-29. Many wealthy people in church of Jesus Christ are so few because Jesus said, Its hard for those with riches to enter into the Kingdom of God in Luke 18:24. It’s because few wealthy people willing to identify with despised of the world God has called and chosen. Several wealthy visitors enjoyed worship services at Times Square Church but didn’t want friends to know they attend there. Our services included too many poor, too many ethnics, too many unexpected things going on. Those people chose to attend more socially accepted churches. I think of dear woman in our church who passes out evangelistic tracts near offices. She speaks broken English, and doesn’t dress in latest styles. I met her on the street as the LORD prompted me to give her a small offering. When she saw the money in my hand, smiled and said, “Oh, no, I’ll bring my tithes tomorrow.” She thought I was reminding her to pay her tithe! Here, she already is doing LORD’s work, uppermost in her mind was to be at church to pay her tithe. She quickly added, “The LORD has kept me, pastor.” She is numbered among God’s remnant, and she probably doesn’t know it. I’ve overheard several well-dressed visitors to our church remark, “That woman gives a bad impression of the church. She’s poorly dressed, and she can hardly speak English.” I say to them, “If you want to be part of God’s holy remnant, you’d better want to be in this woman’s company here on earth. Otherwise, Jesus says you won’t be allowed to be with her in glory is already shining star here.”
- A reliance on hope. The 7,000 in Elijah’s time endured because of hope in coming day of deliverance. Today, the church’s blessed hope is the soon return of Jesus. With one trumpet blast, all wickedness will end. Our Lord will do away with all killings, all blatant perversions, all ethnic genocide. We evangelize, minister and work while it’s still day, all the while, live in the hope King Jesus is Coming. He’s bringing a new world with Him, where He’ll rule from His ETERNAL Throne. So does the three marks characterize you as part of God’s holy remnant? If so, God boast in Godgiven heart to focus wholly on God as HIS!”
Matthew 17:24-27;22:15, Mark 12; Luke 20, Jesus said, Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, to God what belongs to God. The Biblical accounts of Gospels in Capernaum said tax collectors of two drachma temple tax asked Peter if Jesus pays tax, he said He does. If Jesus paid taxes then what did Jesus teach His disciples? Matthew records two taxes Jesus paid in Matthew 17:24-27; 22:15-22 temple tax and tax to government in Rome. People asked Jesus: “Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar?” It was a ploy to set a trap for Jesus. But He saw through their attempt to manipulate Him and falsely accuse Him of asking people not to pay. 
So obliged to pay the tax, Jesus paid His taxes with the coin from the mouth of a fish Peter caught. Tax collector cornered Peter and asked if Jesus paid the temple tax. Later in Matthew 17:2427 Jesus said to Peter at home, “Simon, does the kings collect taxes from their own children or from other people? Peter answered the others. And Jesus replied we don’t want to cause trouble go cast a net in the lake and the first fish you catch open mouth, and you will find a coin. Use coin to pay your taxes and mine.” Take it and give them for my tax and yours.”
Jesus told the Pharisees and Herodians to give to Caesar things belong to Caesar in Mark 12. The issue is controversial as people disagree on how the government spends money. Some people feel angry because their needs are not met though they pay tax. The Bible example of Jesus to pay taxes again in Gospel of Matthew Mark and Luke are other account of the Pharisees trying to trap Jesus to find the reason to accuse him. In Matthew 22:15-22 Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap Jesus to use His words against Him.:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/RomanTaxes1700x1200-56a1469a5f9b58b7d0bdba5c.jpg)
Pharisees disciples with Herodians said “Teacher,” they said, “we know you are sincere so teach the way of God in truth. You are not influenced by men. Tell us, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” Jesus, knowing their evil intention said, “You hypocrites why are you trying to trap me? Show a coin for paying tax.” They brought him a denarius and He asked them, “Whose head inscription?” They said, “Caesar’s. Then He said to them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God belongs to God.” When they heard this, they were amazed so they left him and went away.
If Jesus refused to pay or He condemned Caesar they will accuse Jesus of inciting rebellion. People had no choice but to pay as Jesus also did. And Zachaeus a tax collector climbed a tree to see Jesus passing by. Impressed Jesus dined in his home during meal he decided to restore money he extorted by collecting taxes in Mark 2:13-17. In Psalm 24:1, The earth is the LORD’S and everything in it but life requires money to function, pay staff, provide services, resources, processing, printing costs, transporting goods. And maintaining the structures and repairs restoration, regeneration, grounds and gardens etc. Too numerous to list costs of services provided by the nations. Amazon, Google, Wealthy Offshore accounts do not pay tax proportionately fairly like others.
Jesus and His disciples voluntarily gave to the Temple tax and state to set a good example. Taxes paid directly to local tax collectors who decided what people pay. Tax collectors paid by charging people more to earn money. Levi, the apostle was the customs official in Capernaum taxed imports and exports as he liked. The Jews hated him because he worked for Rome and betrayed his countrymen. Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector for the Jericho district notorious for taxes changed meeting Jesus of Nazareth.
People are saying the tax exemption for Churches are unfair making mega rich pastors super wealthy multimillionaires Church members struggle to pay bills, food, mortgage, health insurance, fees or basic necessities of life. Private jets, mansions get bigger, fleet of cars longer but members poor. Its a major source of tension rich multi billionaires are state sponsored in extravagant lifestyles. Schools reduce hours, hospitals cut staff budget reduced. The churches use tithe, offerings, donations, for salaries wages, cost of projects, feed orphans, help poor under the radar, homeless, HIV, disaster flood victims, TV ministry, preaching, teaching Gospel Message of Jesus Christ, Evangelism etc. among wonderful work of God. Admission fee puts people off so first time Benny Hinn was at NEC entry was free. Thousands turned up with no room for overflow solved crowd control next visit with ticket admission. Only a few people turned up venue was almost empty. God said nobody must enter HIS Presence empty handed so Jesus talked about the widow’s mite even poor give. In Exodus 23:15 God said, no one shall appear before ME empty-handed. Also in Exodus 34:20 God said no one must appear before ME empty-handed. Again in Deuteronomy 16:16 God said do not appear before the LORD empty-handed.
Gap between the rich and poor widens causing hunger and the stress, pressure, unemployment, lack, in deprived areas. No resources for disadvantaged so most public servants cannot get on the home ownership ladder. Many depend on the food banks despite their hard work and education. Zero hour job wastes time of trained staff without job or income. And the popular highly influential Christian leaders spew wrong ideas as ‘Christian Ideas.’ Don’t be misled…Study the bible yourself to know the truth of the Word of Christ. Read Bible as JesusFollowers and Christian’s. Some think Churches must follow Jesus’ example to provide fairly for the least in society too. So gap between rich and poor widens as many continue to suffer daily, starve and die in the most advance developed wealthy countries. Unfortunately a Class divide disproportionately allocate lion share to themselves as the world watches them flaunt it in their faces daily. 1 Timothy 6:10 says the LOVE of money is the root of all evil. Craving more money is cause of all evil in doing so wander from true faith so pierce themselves with sorrow.
A Christian family is fined taxes saying it is against God’s will to pay taxes. The Christian family refused to pay income tax because its “against God’s will” but are ordered to pay more than A$2m tax (£1.1m $1.4m) to Australia’s tax office. It is Christian debate Rembertus Cornelis Beerepoot and Fanny Alida Beerepoot of Tasmania do not pay income tax since 2011 as their religious right. Their farm was seized and sold by a local council in 2017 for not paying seven years of tax rates. Ms Beerepoot told the court: “We don’t own anything because it is God’s.” The siblings represented themselves in Supreme Court of Tasmania Wednesday, after did not pay $930,000 in income tax or other charges in 2017 ABC News said.
Rembertus Cornelis Beerepoot (left) and Fanny Alida Beerepoot (far right) seen here outside the court in Tasmania. Mr Beerepoot argued the law of God is the “supreme law of this land” and making people pay tax weakens dependency on God, leading to “curses… in the form of droughts and infertility.” “Transferring allegiance from God to Commonwealth means rebelling against God breaking first commandment,” he said, according to the public broadcaster. In judgement, Associate Justice Stephen Holt said he believed Beerepoots’ beliefs is genuinely held but there is no specific reference in Bible to support their argument. “In my view, Bible effectively said civil matters and law of God operate in two different spheres.” So the siblings ordered to pay sums of – Ms Beerepoot A$1.17m and Mr Beereport A$1.16m to cover income tax, administrative penalties and all interest charges” and costs in court documents. What do you think about various views?
Those people who moved into a bigger home, p
