Elijah Taken up into Heaven
This ends the lesson on Elijah and his life. It is because Elijah was taken up to heaven that we have proof that death is not inevitable to the believer, and that life survives the change from earth to heaven.
The LORD would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray you; for the LORD has sent me to Bethel. And Elisha said unto him, As the LORD lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you. So they went down to Bethel.
And the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Do you know that the LORD will take away your master from your head to day? And he said, Yes, I know it; hold you your peace.
Elijah said unto Elisha to tarry here, I pray you; for the LORD has sent me to Jericho. And he said, As the LORD lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you. So they came to Jericho.
The sons of the prophets that were at Jericho came to Elisha, and said unto him, do you know that the LORD will take away your master from your head to day? And he said, Yes, I know it; hold you your peace.
Elijah said unto him, Tarry, I pray you, here; for the LORD has sent me to Jordan. And he said, As the LORD lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you. And they two went on.
And 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.
When they were gone over, Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for you, before I be taken away from you. And Elisha said, I pray you, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me. Elijah told Elisha that it was a hard thing but if he saw Elijah when he was taken up he shall have what he asked.
And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
And Elisha saw it, and he cried my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.
He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan; And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? And when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.
When the sons of the prophets who were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, the spirit of Elijah does rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.
What Can This story Teach Us?
Elijah is one of the greatest of the Old Testament prophets. He does not die in the usual way, but is taken into heaven by a whirlwind. On the day of Elijah’s departure, he and his younger companion Elisha visit three groups of prophets. They go to Bethel, Jericho and Gilgal. Elijah urges Elisha to stay there; but Elisha refuses.
Finally, Elijah strikes the River Jordan with his cloak. The waters part and the two prophets cross the dry river bed together. Elisha asked Elijah, his master, to inherit a double portion of his spirit. This would be like Elisha the eldest son of Elijah. Elijah has no power to give Elisha the gift from the LORD God.
Suddenly a fiery chariot and horses separate the two men, and Elijah is taken up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elisha is left alone with the cloak from Elijah. This would be a sign that he has inherited the spirit of Elijah and he was able to part the River Jordan just like Elijah had done.
It was a great honor that Elijah ascended into heaven. Genesis 5:24 tells us Enoch, son of Jared and father of Methuselah whom God took home to heaven without dying. It is Moses and Elijah who appear to talk with Jesus at his transfiguration in Mark 9:4. They are with Jesus on that occasion because Moses stands for the Law and Elijah for the Prophets these are the two great elements of teaching which lead to our Lord Jesus Christ.
It is because Elijah was taken up to heaven that we have proof that death is not inevitable to the believer, and that life survives the change from earth to heaven. “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” (1 Corinthians 15:51- 52).
This ends the lesson on Elijah and his life. It is because Elijah was taken up to heaven that we have proof that death is not inevitable to the believer, and that life survives the change from earth to heaven.
Cite Article Source
MLA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne “Elijah Taken up into Heaven:.” Becker Bible Studies Library Feb 2015.< https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2224,>.
APA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2015, February) “Elijah Taken up into Heaven:.” Becker Bible Studies Library. Retrieved from https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2224,.
Chicago Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2015) “Elijah Taken up into Heaven:.” Becker Bible Studies Library (February), https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2224, (accessed).
