Ascending

Taken to Heaven

Can you think of anything better? 2 Now when the LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. 2 And Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me as far as Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 2 Ki 2:1–2.

So, Elijah’s successor had already been appointed, but dramatically an event of ascension is coming. It makes me wonder if Elisha knew what was coming. So many times a leader wants to spare his student the struggles ahead. Elijah tells his student to stay here while I go on but Elisha says no. When I felt the call in my life I talked to my pastor about my call and he encouraged me to run from it. Does that sound like good advice?

Many pastors have told me that friends and others pastors had given them similar advice. Elijah seems to be giving his student the chance to depart from his call. Then when Elisha refuses to depart Elijah takes him on a tour to see the evil. 3 And the sons of the prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that today the LORD will take away your master from over you?” And he said, “Yes, I know it; keep quiet.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 2 Ki 2:3.

Then Elisha stay here because the Lord is sending me to Jericho. 4 Elijah said to him, “Elisha, please stay here, for the LORD has sent me to Jericho.” But he said, “As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they came to Jericho. 5 The sons of the prophets who were at Jericho drew near to Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that today the LORD will take away your master from over you?” And he answered, “Yes, I know it; keep quiet.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 2 Ki 2:4–5.

Elijah continues to try and spare his student the struggle ahead. I ask you again, is this good advice? If you are not engaged in ministry, serving the Lord, will you see the things you need to see that will solidify your faith? When Elijah proceeds to the Jordan River he once again offers to his young student that he stay behind. Jesus said to us, pick up your cross and follow me, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Mt 16:24.

Elijah shows his young student the power of God when he strikes the water with his cloak. Notice that it was not just Elisha who witnessed this but the Sons of the Prophet. These followers of Elijah would most likely now follow Elisha.

Elijah then honors his student by asking him what he can do for him. When you think about this, as I do, I had pastors lead me to the service spot offering me an escape route and when all was exhausted they offer their support. 9 When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you.” And Elisha said, “Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me.” 10 And he said, “You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it shall be so for you, but if you do not see me, it shall not be so.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 2 Ki 2:9–10.

Notice that Elisha does exactly what his teacher had shown him. He rolled up the cloak that had fallen from him and struck the water of the Jordan. I invite you to look at verse 15 when you have time.

What does this mean for you? 1. Be a student. God needs us all to follow the teacher and learn how to serve the Father. 2. Know your gifts and use them. The cloak from Elijah was not the source of the power but it was a symbol of the power of God. Identify your gifts and honor God by using them.