Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
--2 Kings 2:11 (NKJV)
From the daily Bible reading on June 19, 2013 of Psalm 109:1-15; Galatians 1; 1 Kings 22:29-2 Kings 2.
Elijah is on the run for his life, hiding in a cave because Jezebel is having all the prophets and men of God killed so that only Baal would be served. But God has other plans for Elijah and He orders him to leave the relative safety of his cave. The Lord wants Elijah to anoint Hazael as king over Syria, Jehu as king over Israel, and Elisha as his own replacement (please see 1 Kings 19:15-16). It is God's plan that each of these will play a role in the near future of putting an end to the worship of Baal in Israel. The latter of these tasks is immediately accomplished as Elijah comes upon Elisha plowing a field behind twelve pair of oxen. Elijah walked up to Elisha and threw his robe, his mantle, on the younger man. This action indicated that Elisha was to be the older prophet's disciple, to follow him and learn from him, and take over for him once his days were accomplished. "Elisha" means "God is salvation", and during his ministry he performed more recorded miracles than anyone else other than Jesus Christ.
Elijah's time was drawing to a close and he, Elisha, and many other prophets knew it. Elisha refused to leave his master's side, even when Elijah asked him to three times. As they walked along together talking, a fantastic apparition appeared, separating the two men, and Elijah was whisked away in a whirlwind. He did not die or pass from this life as mortal men do. He was taken off to God in heaven while still alive. This miraculous feat had occurred only once before and never since. When Enoch, the father of Methuselah, completed his days on earth, God simply took him away (Genesis 5:21-24). One minute "Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him" (Genesis 5:24). He basically ceased to exist in this world.
Elijah's translation directly from this life to heaven and Enoch's being taken by God, when viewed together, serve as an example of what believers of the risen Christ can expect when our Lord Jesus returns to take His church home. When the Rapture occurs, we will be carried off to heaven as if by a whirlwind. One second we're here, the next we're gone. In the blink of an eye, Jesus will take us home, to the place He has prepared just for us. Thank You, Jesus! Amen.
Blessed Lord Jesus, thank You for the promise given in God's holy word by the example of Elijah that You will carry us off in a whirlwind to live with You and our Father in heaven forever! Thank You for the hope this gives, knowing our eternal life is secure, that the promised Rapture has a precedent. Help us never doubt You, O Lord our Strength and our Redeemer. In Your glorious name, Lord Jesus we pray. Amen.
Elijah's time was drawing to a close and he, Elisha, and many other prophets knew it. Elisha refused to leave his master's side, even when Elijah asked him to three times. As they walked along together talking, a fantastic apparition appeared, separating the two men, and Elijah was whisked away in a whirlwind. He did not die or pass from this life as mortal men do. He was taken off to God in heaven while still alive. This miraculous feat had occurred only once before and never since. When Enoch, the father of Methuselah, completed his days on earth, God simply took him away (Genesis 5:21-24). One minute "Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him" (Genesis 5:24). He basically ceased to exist in this world.
Elijah's translation directly from this life to heaven and Enoch's being taken by God, when viewed together, serve as an example of what believers of the risen Christ can expect when our Lord Jesus returns to take His church home. When the Rapture occurs, we will be carried off to heaven as if by a whirlwind. One second we're here, the next we're gone. In the blink of an eye, Jesus will take us home, to the place He has prepared just for us. Thank You, Jesus! Amen.
Blessed Lord Jesus, thank You for the promise given in God's holy word by the example of Elijah that You will carry us off in a whirlwind to live with You and our Father in heaven forever! Thank You for the hope this gives, knowing our eternal life is secure, that the promised Rapture has a precedent. Help us never doubt You, O Lord our Strength and our Redeemer. In Your glorious name, Lord Jesus we pray. Amen.
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