By Pastor Antonee
As we prepare for Sabbath’s 11 am worship, I would like to give you a background of the sermon that God wants us to listen to as we wait for His soon coming. You see in the ancient days of Israel’s divided kingdom, two kings—Ahab of Israel and Jehoshaphat of Judah—faced a familiar human dilemma: they had to make a critical decision and sought divine insight. Their
story, found in 1 Kings 20 and 22, speaks powerfully to us even today. It challenges our assumptions about guidance, spiritual authority, and the uncomfortable responsibility of listening to God's voice—especially when it contradicts our desires.
The backdrop is a broken promise. After a victory against Syria in 856 B.C., Ahab showed clemency to the defeated Ben-Hadad, entering into a peace treaty with him. Ben-Hadad vowed to return cities taken from Israel, but true to the pattern of human politics, his word meant little. Three years later, Ahab still hadn’t seen those cities returned—and he wanted them back.
In 1 Kings 22, Ahab hosted King Jehoshaphat, his ally by marriage. During this royal visit, Ahab proposed they go to war together against Syria. Jehoshaphat initially agreed, but something stirred in his conscience. He hesitated and asked, “Please inquire for the word of the Lord today.”
This is the first critical lesson. Even godly people can make hasty decisions. Jehoshaphat, one of Judah's few faithful kings, knew the importance of pausing to seek divine counsel. In the face of battle, wealth, or opportunity, our first instinct should be the same: What does God say about this?
Ahab summoned 400 prophets who all assured victory. But Jehoshaphat sensed something was off. These were not prophets of Yahweh but by Baal worship that Ahab had promoted. He asked again: “Is there not still a prophet of the Lord here, that we may inquire of him?”
There was one—Micaiah—but Ahab hated him. “He never prophesies anything good about me,” the king complained. Yet Micaiah, true to his calling, refused to be swayed. When told to echo the popular message, he responded, “As the Lord lives, whatever the Lord says to me, that I will speak.”
Initially, Micaiah appeared to go along with the crowd, telling Ahab to attack and prosper. But Ahab sensed the irony—perhaps in Micaiah’s tone—and demanded the truth. And truth he received: a vision of defeat, with Israel scattered “like sheep without a shepherd.” Ahab would die if he went into battle.
Rather than heed this warning, Ahab attempted to outmaneuver God. He disguised himself in battle gear, hoping to avoid being targeted. But a “random” arrow found him anyway, and he died, just as the prophet had foretold.
This account is more than ancient history. It draws a sharp line between those who seek truth and those who merely want their plans confirmed. Ahab had access to God’s messenger, but he rejected the message. In contrast, Jehoshaphat asked the right question but still found himself entangled in a poor decision.
The parallel to our own time becomes unmistakable in the book of Revelation. In chapter 12, God’s end-time people are described with two defining traits: they “keep the commandments of God” and have “the testimony of Jesus” (Revelation 12:17). Revelation 19:10 explains this testimony as “the spirit of prophecy.”
Scripture interprets Scripture. The "spirit of prophecy" is not a vague spiritual experience but a specific gift of the Holy Spirit, given through chosen messengers—prophets—who speak on behalf of God (see 1 Corinthians 12:10, 28; Ephesians 4:11). Revelation 22:9 connects those who “have the testimony of Jesus” with “the prophets,” reinforcing this identification.
As Seventh-day Adventists, we believe that this prophetic gift has been manifested in the life and ministry of Ellen G. White. From the church’s earliest days, her counsel pointed people back to the Bible, uplifted Christ, and prepared believers for the final events of Earth’s history.
This belief is rooted in Scripture. Revelation outlines that God's last-day church will uphold His commandments—including the often-forgotten Sabbath—and possess the spirit of prophecy. This church is not just one among many, but a movement raised for a mission: to proclaim the everlasting gospel and the three angels’ messages (Revelation 14:6–12).
But here's the uncomfortable truth: having a prophet means little if we do not listen. Israel had prophets. Judah had prophets. And yet both kingdoms fell into ruin because they refused to obey the messages they were given. Ahab rejected Micaiah. Many today dismiss or neglect the writings of Ellen White. We must ask: Are we repeating their mistake?
The lesson is clear: when God grants prophetic guidance, it is not merely for doctrinal clarity, but for spiritual survival. In the face of end-time deception, we need every tool heaven has given us. Ignoring God’s voice is not just careless—it’s dangerous.
So the question remains: Is there a prophet of the Lord here? Yes. But more importantly: Are we listening?
I pray that we will continue to be faithful to God and not be like Ahab, who prioritized comfort over truth, or like Jehoshaphat, who hesitated until it was too late. Instead, let us be a people who not only seek God’s voice but are willing to follow it wherever it leads.