October 2026

In the early history of Israel, there is evidence of false prophets (Deut. 18:20). God, therefore, did not leave His people without guidance on who His true prophets were.

As recipients of God’s revelation and inspiration, true prophets faithfully, accurately, and honestly transmitted God’s messages, even if, at times, this made them unpopular with the people in power.

Read 1 Kings 22:1–14. What does it tell us about how faithful prophets operate?

As we saw last week, the Lord used Elijah the prophet to do a tremendous work in Israel, despite fervent opposition. What the Lord had accomplished through him was incredible. And yet . . . what?

Reflect on how James presents Elijah the prophet in James 5:17, 18. What might he mean by saying that Elijah had “a nature like ours” (NKJV)?

Read for This Week’s Study

James 5:17, 18; 1 Kings 19:1–16; 1 Kings 22:1–14; Exod. 15:20; 2 Kings 22:11–14; Jer. 14:1–15.

Memory Text:

God calls prophets at specific times for special purposes. They were there with the messages needed for that time. In this context, Seventh-day Adventists believe that Ellen G. White was one such person who demonstrated a modern manifestation of the prophetic gift, functioning much like a noncanonical prophet (more on this in the lessons to come). Ellen Harmon (White) received her first call in December 1844, a few weeks after Millerite Adventists had expected Jesus to return based on Daniel 8:14: “Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.”

Read Mark 1:2–5. What was the purpose of John the Baptist’s ministry?

Most Christians know the story of Daniel 1, in which he stood for the health principles that he had learned as a child. Daniel was a model of faithfulness (Dan. 1:8). When presented with royal delicacies, he insisted on eating a plant-based diet and drinking only water instead of partaking of the diet offered him from the king’s table (Dan. 1:12–16). This was a small test in contrast to what would come later, such as in Daniel 6, when his faithfulness could have easily meant death for him.

Isaiah, a major prophet of the Old Testament, received His call to prophetic ministry directly from God (see Isa. 6:1–8). Overwhelmed by God’s holiness and majesty, Isaiah realized his unworthiness. In that moment, a seraph flew to Isaiah with a live coal from the heavenly altar and “purged” his sins. God then asked, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Isaiah’s response should be ours: “Here am I; send me” (Isa. 6:8).

Read 1 Kings 18:19–39. What can we see from this story about how the prophetic office can work?

Elijah’s calling and manner of speech reflected his role as God’s messenger. To stop Israel’s apostasy, God sent Elijah to King Ahab in order to announce a multiyear drought. God used this affliction to turn His people away from idolatry and back to obedience. King and country blamed the prophet Elijah for their woe and sought his death.

From Genesis to Revelation, God has had a faithful remnant who have accepted the call to obedience in response to His grace (see Jer. 31:7, 31–34). For example, years after the dispersion from Babel, God chose Abram (later Abraham) to be an example of covenant faith, not just to his family but for all future generations. Surrounded by apostasy and moral ambivalence, Abram proved faithful to God’s call. (See Gen. 12:1–9.)

Read for This Week’s Study

Gen. 15:6, Gal. 3:6–9, 1 Kings 18:19–39, Isaiah 53, Dan. 2:46–48, Mark 1:2–5, Matt. 11:1–6.

Memory Text:

“Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?’ Then I said, ‘Here am I! Send me’ ” (Isaiah 6:8, NKJV).

In biblical times, prophets often played key roles in the history of God’s people. Sometimes they were center stage, taking powerful, if not crucial, positions in the life of the community.