As Elijah and Elisha set out that day, they already knew God’s plan to take Elijah home. His work here was done for the moment. Although he was seen again on the mount of transfiguration and is prophesied to be one of the two witnesses to return during the tribulation (Malachi 4:5); he was transported into heaven via a whirlwind. He, like Enoch, was taken into heaven without suffering the death of this world. Elijah tried to get Elisha to stay behind. However, Elisha would not leave his side. Therefore, he witnessed the event. Elisha then took up Elijah’s mantle and the spirit of power from God filled Elisha, allowing him to perform like manner miracles as Elijah. Thus, Elisha carried the torch and continued the spiritual battle against evil and Baal. He often stood alone in this fight; but he had learned from one of God’s finest prophets.
2 Kings 2:1-6
And it came to pass, when the Lord would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the Lord hath sent me to Bethel. And Elisha said unto him, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So, they went down to Bethel. And the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Lord will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.
(Again) Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee; for the Lord hath sent me to Jericho. And he said, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So, they came to Jericho. The sons of the prophets that were at Jericho came to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Lord will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he answered, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.
(Once more) Elijah said unto him, Tarry, I pray thee, here; for the Lord hath sent me to Jordan. And he said, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And they two went on.
Crossing the Jordan
fifty men of the sons of the prophets went and stood to view afar off: and they two stood by Jordan. And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground. It came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. (Elijah replied) Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so. (2 Kings 2: 7-10).
What Elisha asked for was not Elijah’s to give. Only God could fill Elisha with His Holy Spirit and Power. So, Elijah’s final act was to leave it all in God’s hands, surrendering to His will.
Elisha Chosen to Carry the Torch
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. Elisha saw it, and he cried out, “My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!” So, he saw him no more. And he took hold of his own clothes and tore them into two pieces. He also took up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him and went back and stood by the bank of the Jordan. Then he took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, and said, “Where is the Lord God of Elijah?” And when he also had struck the water, it was divided this way and that; and Elisha crossed over. (2 Kings 2:11-14, NKJV).
Where was the Lord God of Elijah? He was right there with Elisha. Elisha would go on to perform many miracles, even more than Elijah had. He would have to stand firm upon God’s word in a time when evil seemed to have an upper hand in the land of Israel and the world surrounding them. Baal worship and child sacrifice were rampant throughout the land. The kings would revolt against Elisha the prophet; but he was God’s man to carry the torch in such an evil time.
Who Will Carry the Torch for God against Evil?
Do we not also face such a time? Idolatrous worship surrounds us. Children are sacrificed at the altar of selfish desire and “individual rights” wrought with self-worship. Who will carry the torch by proclaiming the truth of the gospel message. Just as Elijah nor Elisha, we are not to fight violently against the evil around us. That is God’s right to enact justice. However, we are to carry the torch and be a light shining into the darkness around us.
We might say, “I am afraid” or “God cannot use me with all my frailties and failures.” Yet, anyone who reads the records of Elijah will find: he was merely a man whom God used. He had his moments of fear and of frailty. Despite this, God used him in a mighty way. God chose and used him to carry the torch for God against evil. Then, God chose Elisha to carry the torch into the next generation. Has God chosen you to carry the torch? Jesus said, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid (Matthew 5:14). All who know Christ as their Savior have been given this light, this torch which should not be hid. The Holy Spirit dwells within us to guide us and to teach us.
Furthermore, God has given us mentors and teachers whom we may study. It was their task to carry the torch before us and we now are asked to carry the torch. Will you?
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because, He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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Previous Post in This Series:
What if God’s Work Leaves You Alone and Depressed?
Can You See The Army of God Surrounding You?
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2018
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Footnote and Credits
(NKJV) Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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