OPINION (Joseph Mattera) – Baal was a false god the feckless Jewish King Ahab and his wicked wife Jezebel attempted to force upon the nation of Israel during the time of Elijah the Prophet (see 1 Kings 18). Consequently, during this tumultuous time – most Jews kept their faith and identity outwardly but bowed to Baal when necessary to appease Jezebel as well as mainstream culture. The same is happening today with so-called Christians who espouse anti-biblical views that honor the prevailing culture but dishonor God.
During his opposition to Jezebel, Elijah grew weary because nobody else came forward to stand with him and the Lord. At that point, God told him that there was a remnant of 7,000 who had not bowed their knee to Baal (see 1 Kings 19 and Romans 11:2-4). The challenge Elijah had was that the preponderance of this remnant was hiding in caves (see 1 Kings 18:13), leaving him all alone to battle the dark forces working through the political system. In the present day, it also seems like there is only a remnant of biblically-based confessing churches and believers willing to stand against the forces of hell manifesting itself through intolerant group-think activists who want to abolish the first amendment, squelch religious freedom, and silence all opposition through Jezebellion laws. READ MORE
