When Elijah's time was nearing, Elisha insisted that he stay right by Elijah's side until it happened. It must have been obvious that he wanted something...
(2 Kings 2:1-9) And it came about when the Lord was about to take up Elijah by a whirlwind to heaven, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. 2 Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here please, 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. 3 Then the sons of the prophets who were at Bethel came out to Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that the Lord will take away your master from over [b]you today?” And he said, “Yes, I know; be still.”
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 approached Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that the Lord will take away your master from over you today?” And he answered, “Yes, I know; be still.” 6 Then Elijah said to him, “Please stay here, for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.” And he said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them went on.
7 Now fifty men of the sons of the prophets went and stood opposite them at a distance, while the two of them stood by the Jordan. 8 Elijah took his mantle and folded it together and struck the waters, and they were divided here and there, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground.
9 When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you.” And Elisha said, “Please, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.”
An honorable request, although this was something Elisha should have asked God. Elijah left the decision in God's hands by saying what he did. If God allowed Elisha to see more than just Elijah disappearing, then that would mean Elisha would receive the Holy Spirit as requested.
His eyes were opened, and Elisha saw a chariot and horses of fire, along with horsemen - which we can assume were angels. This would have demonstrated God's power, as chariots were the mightiest military weapon for that time...
(2 Kings 2:10-14) He said, “You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.” 11 As they were going along and talking, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire which separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven. 12 Elisha saw it and cried out, “My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” And he saw Elijah no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.13 He also took up the mantle of Elijah that fell from him and returned and stood by the bank of the Jordan. 14 He took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him and struck the waters and said, “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” And when he also had struck the waters, they were divided here and there; and Elisha crossed over.
From this we see:
- angels can protect and accompany people between earth and heaven (including the part of "heaven" where Christians will rest until the rapture (1 Cor.5:15, 50-52)
- there are horses in heaven
Personal experience: I had the privilege of getting to know my great aunt Helen while on the mission field. Her husband had been a pastor, and she, herself, was very knowledgeable and wise, and had been very involved in leading Bible studies, and even helped her husband prepare sermons.
She told me about her and her husband's "code word" that they would use. It was something which could be used in many circumstances, and the tone of their voice would indicate it's full meaning. For example, if someone would say something that was not quite right, they would respond with a questioning, "Oh?" And if something was alarming, it would be a sharper, "Oh!' If something had a deeper meaning, it would be an understanding, "Oooh!"
So when Helen was sitting at her husband's deathbed, she said they had both been very quiet. He even seemed to be sleeping, until he suddenly opened his eyes and peacefully exclaimed, "Ooohhhh." Like he was now witnessing the most awesome and most beautiful thing. And then he died.
This had brought her both comfort and confidence as she moved forward in life and in her walk with God.
Today's takeaway: if we read further in the scripture chapter above, when Elisha returned to the other prophets, they could tell that the Spirit of God was upon him. But they couldn't quite believe his story about how Elijah had left this earth, so they insisted on going out to look for his body. Of course, they never found it.
It's funny how people can believe all sorts of weird and crazy things, like reincarnation or aliens or time-travel or people's ghosts trying to reach out from the dead to improve their karma or... but when it comes to God (Creator of the entire universe) doing something amazing, those same people would question that.
And so as believers, do we believe and trust that God is able to do amazing things which would go far beyond what we could ever imagine?...
(Ephesians 3:14-21) For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
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