Ministry of Prophets to the End

This is a terrible record of ingratitude and disregard of God, who was all the while showering blessings upon them. But the Lord treated them with great love, mercy, and forbearance. For two hundred seventy years He did all that infinite wisdom, love, and power permitted Him to do to save them. But at last He gave them up.AGP 123.3

“The Lord rejected all the seed of Israel, and afflicted them, and delivered them into the hand of spoilers, until He had cast them out of His sight…. So was Israel carried away out of their own land to Assyria unto this day.” Verses 20-23.AGP 123.4

The marvelous ministry of Elisha in the kingdom was the supreme hour for the full reformation and restoration of Israel. But they failed, and from that hour they departed fast and far from God.AGP 124.1

It was only one hundred twenty-five years from the death of Elisha to the overthrow of the kingdom of Israel. During that time, eight kings occupied the throne. But while the kingdom was disintegrating in the hands of these kings, there were three prophets in Israel giving messages of guidance from the Lord. These were: Jonah, Amos, and Hosea. There were also contemporary prophets in Judah, such as Isaiah and Micah, who sent messages to the northern kingdom. Thus to the day of their utter ruin the Lord left not His people without inspired messengers.AGP 124.2

Of their sad end the Lord exclaims: “O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself.” Hosea 13:9.AGP 124.3