24 ELIJAH IS TAKEN TO HEAVEN

Elijah’s times, and the events surrounding him, are not carefully dated just as many great men in Scripture; we are not told of his age, in what year of Ahab’s reign he first appeared, nor in what year of Joram’s he disappeared. We therefore cannot calculate how long he served publicly. We may guess that it was about twenty years in all.

First, we are informed that God had determined to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind. He would do it, and it is possible that God let him know of His purpose some time before, that he would soon take him from the world, not by death, but translate him, body and soul, to heaven. Enoch had experienced this and these two men only had to undergo such a change as would be necessary to qualify them to be inhabitants in the world of spirits. This is what all believers will experience, who will be found alive at Christ’s coming. It is not for us to say why God would put such a peculiar honor on Elijah above any other of the prophets; he was a man subject to like passions as we are, knew sin, and yet never tasted death. How was he in this way dignified, and distinguished, as a man whom the Kings of kings delighted to honor? God may have looked back on his past services, which were eminent and extraordinary, and intended a reward for those and also through him give encouragement to the sons of the prophets to walk in the same steps of his zeal and faithfulness.

Hopefully, whatever it would cost them, they too, and we who read this history, would witness for God and serve against the corruptions of the age in which they and we lived. Could it be that God is looking down on the present dark and degenerate state in which today’s church serves and, through this story would give us a very sensible proof of another life after this, and draw the hearts of us who are faithful towards himself and that other more enduring, glorious and everlasting life? Isn’t that what we are living for even here? God looked forward to the evangelical age of the Church, and, in the translation of Elijah, gave us a type and figure of the ascension of Christ and the opening of the kingdom of heaven to all believers. Elijah by faith and prayer had taken many to heaven and now he himself is taken there to assure us that if we as he will maintain a strong relationship with God through prayer while we are here serving on earth, we too soon will be happy there forever.,

Second, Elisha had determined that as long as he continued on earth, to cleave to Elijah and not to leave him. Elijah seemed eager to shake him off and would have had him stay behind at Gilgal, then Bethel and then Jericho. But I think this was only a test to see if Elisha would continue with him or not. It is possible that out of humility, though Elijah knew what glory God planned for him, yet he would not become puffed up about it, nor desire it would be seen by men. God’s favorites are satisfied with God’s approval and do not covet to have it proclaimed before people as the favorites of earthly princes do. Rather it was to try Elisha and make his continuing companionship to him all the more commendable. This would be similar to Naomi’s trying to persuade Ruth to go back, yet Ruth is honored by her wise choice not to leave Naomi.

Elijah urges Elisha to stay here or there and Elisha merely remains insistent to stay with his master. . . . that is until his master goes to heaven and leaves him behind on this earth! Ha!“Whatever comes of it, I will not leave you.” And why so? Not only because Elisha loved Elijah but also because he himself wanted to be built up by his holy heavenly conversation with Elijah as long as Elijah stayed on earth. It had always been profitable, but, we may suppose, was now more so than ever. We should do all the spiritual good we can one to another, and get all we can from one by another while we are together, because we are to be together but a little while. Elisha also wanted to be satisfied about Elijah’s departure, and to see him when he was taken up, that his own faith might be strengthened and his familiarity with the invisible world increased. He had followed Elijah a long time and would not leave him now when he hoped for a parting blessing. May the Lord help us so that you and I who seek spiritual growth today not come short by tiring at last. Let’s finish well.

Third, Elijah, before his departure, visited the schools of the prophets and took leave of each of them. It seems that there were three schools, Gilgal, Bethel and Jericho that had been founded by Samuel. Here we find sons of the prophets, and evidently considerable numbers of them, even at Bethel, where one of the calves was set up, and at Jericho, which recently was rebuilt in defiance of a divine curse.

At Jerusalem, and in the kingdom of Judah, they had priests and Levites, and the temple-service, but none of that was in the kingdom of Israel. So God graciously made up for this lack by these colleges, where men were trained in spiritual exercises and devotion. To these, people who were called by God could go to celebrate the feasts, pray and learn to hear the voice of God. They did not have an approved place for sacrifice or incense, and yet here they could sit under the teachings of Elijah and then Elisha. None of all the high priests were comparable to those two great men Elijah and Elisha, who, for all we know, never served in the temple at Jerusalem. Those older and more mature among us who are going to heaven ourselves ought to be concerned for those they leave behind them on earth, and to leave with them their training, empowerment, experience, testimony, counsel, and prayer. Jesus too was concerned for His disciples and prayed for them that His Father would keep them.,

Fourth, the sons of the prophets evidently were aware, either from Elijah himself or by the spirit of prophecy in someone among them, that Elijah was soon to depart. They told Elisha of it, both at Bethel and at Jericho. “Do you know that the Lord is going to take your master from you today?” Let me guess this was not to criticize Elisha, but to demonstrate how preoccupied and expectant they were with this issue and possibly concerned for Elisha who would be the most impacted by it. And for us? We can ask, “Do you know our nearest relations, and dearest friends, will be taken from us shortly? The Lord will take them; we do not lose them until He calls for them whose they are, and who takes away and none can hinder Him.

He takes away superiors from over us, inferiors from under our care and equals from our arms. Let us conduct ourselves now in such a way that we will have no regrets when they are taken from us. Elisha knew it too well, and sorrow had filled his heart because of it. The disciples too had felt it as John 16:6 tells us what Jesus said to them when He had discussed his death, “. . . you are filled with grief because I have said these things.” Elisha did not need to be told of it, did not care for hearing more of it, and would not be interrupted in his thoughts about this great concern. Neither did he want to be in the least diverted from his service to his master. “Yes, I know,” Elisha replied, “so be quiet.” He does not say this unkindly or in contempt of the sons of the prophets, but as one that was himself composed and wanted them to be so also. 

Fifth, the miraculous dividing of the river Jordan was a preface to Elijah’s translation. They crossed the Jordon at the very spot according to the local tradition which had been to the entrance of Israel into the earthly Canaan. He must, it seems, go on to the other side Jordan to be translated. Was this because he was from the east side of the Jordon? or to be closer to the burial place of Moses? I have been to that place myself and can say that they could have waded across without any miracle. Was God particularly concerned to magnify Elijah in his exit, as he did Joshua in his entrance, by the dividing of this river? Or, as Moses with his rod divided the sea, so Elijah with his mantle divided Jordan? These waters of old surrendered to and fled from the Ark of God, now yield to the prophet’s mantle. Does God perform unnecessary miracles just for show? Or, who is to say that for show is not an important function of a miracle if it strengthens our faith? When God will take up His faithful ones to heaven, death is the figurative Jordan over which we will cross.

Sixth, next Elijah makes his last will and testimony leaving Elisha as his heir. He is figuratively about to anoint him prophet in his stead, more than when he earlier cast his mantle on him, when he first  met him. Being greatly pleased with the faithfulness of Elisha’s affection and attention to serving him, Elijah asks him what he could do for him, what blessing he should in parting leave him. “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?” (9)

Seventh, Elisha uses this unusual opportunity to enrich himself with the best riches and asks for a double portion of his spirit. “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit” (9). “He does not ask for wealth, honor or freedom from trouble, but for something that will make him more useful to God and His Kingdom. What a great example for you and me to follow! He asks for the Spirit, not that the gifts and graces of the Spirit were in Elijah’s or any man’s power to give, He does not say, “Give me the Spirit” because he knew very well it was God’s gift, but “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” intercede with God for this for me. Jesus told His disciples to ask what they wanted, not one, but all, and promised to send the Spirit, with much more authority and assurance than Elijah could. You and I have that. Let us serve with confidence and joy. He asked for his spirit, because he was to be a prophet in his stead, to carry on his work, to father the sons of the prophets and face their enemies. He was to serve in the position in which Elijah had served and to do this he needed the power and wisdom of God working in his life.

According to the custom of the times, his request for “double” does not mean double the amount Elijah had, but double what the rest of the prophets had just as the oldest son received double of what younger sons inherited. Not so much would be expected from the younger prophets as from Elisha. They had not been brought up under such careful and individual instruction as Elijah had given to Elisha. It is a noble, holy and good ambition to covet earnestly the best gifts; those which will make us most useful to God and our brothers and sisters. Do you have a mentor or older example whose good life and effective service you can hope and pray will be your model. It is a blessing if you can say, “yes.”

Eighth, Elijah promised him what he asked for under two conditions the first of which is to value it. This seems to be implied when Elijah says, “You have asked a difficult thing”(10). . . . provided he put a due value on it and esteem it highly. Elijah teaches him this by calling it a hard thing; not too hard for God to do, but too great for him to expect. Anyone is best prepared for spiritual blessings who are most fully aware of their worth and their own unworthiness to receive them. The second condition is to be with Elijah when he is taken up. “. . . if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise, it will not” (10). It would be granted provided he kept close to his master, even to the last, was observant of him and gave diligent attention to his master’s instructions, and a careful observance of his example. I think we can assume that this made Elisha all the more determined to remain with Elijah to the end.

Ninth, Elijah is carried up to heaven in a fiery chariot. “As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind” (11). It is appointed to man to die and after that the judgment. Personally, I think that Enoch and Elijah may be the two witnesses who testify on earth and die as recorded in Revelation chapter 11, but I will not argue with any who disagree.

What was Elijah doing when he was taken up? He was talking with Elisha, instructing and encouraging him, directing him in his work, and spurring him to it for the good of those whom he left behind. He was not meditating or praying, as one wholly taken up with the world to which he was going, but was genuinely engaged in real and edifying conversation, as one concerned about the kingdom of God among men. We mistake if we think our preparation for heaven is done only by meditations and the acts of devotion. Usefulness to others is fully accepted as a good activity for those anticipating going to heaven. Thinking of divine things is good, but talking of them is better, if it comes from the heart. Talking of them brings benefit to others.

What kind of transportation did God provide? A chariot of fire and horses of fire which appeared. The souls of all the faithful are carried usually by an invisible guard of angels into the bosom of Abraham. But Elijah is being taken, body as well as spirit being, so possibly for this reason this heavenly guard was made visible, not in a human shape, as usual, though the angels might have carried him up in their arms, or carried him as on eagles’ wings. That form or appearance would not suit the character and ministry of Elijah as well as the form or appearance of a chariot and horses, that he may ride in state, ride in triumph, ride like a prince, ride like a conqueror, even more than a conqueror. Can you think of any other form more appropriate for Elijah? Psalm 104:4  says, “He makes winds his messengers, flames of fire his servants” and Psalm 18:10 says, “He mounted the cherubim and flew; he soared on the wings of the wind” so surely the angels taking souls to heaven could take on any form, but this particular form seems significant and consistent with who Elijah was. See how the angels are ready to do the will of God, even in the common service of caring the dead to heaven. Elijah must travel to the world of angels, and therefore, to show how eager they were of his company, some of them would come to get him.

The chariot and horses appeared like fire, not for burning, but brightness, not to torture or consume him, but to make his ascension conspicuous, glorious, symbolic and illustrious in the eyes of any, near or far, who saw it. God is a Master Communicator and we must learn to correctly interpret all His signals and symbols whether they be a star, fire, donkey, smoke, angel, chariot or horse. Elijah had burned with holy zeal for God and His honor, and now with a heavenly fire he was translated. This chariot parted Elijah and Elisha from each other. The dearest friends must part. Elisha had protested he would not leave him, yet now is left behind by him.

Where did Elijah go? He went up by a whirlwind into heaven. Fires tend upward; the whirlwind helped to carry him through the atmosphere, out of the reach of the magnetic pull of this earth, and then swiftly he ascended to the a world of holy and blessed spirits more glorious than we can conceive. Elijah had once, in a time of depression, wished he would die; yet God was so gracious to him as not only not to take him at his word then, but to honor him with this exceptional miracle, that he should not die as men and women usually do. He joins Enoch in a unique and special class of just two persons. Elijah gave a glimpse of that life and immortality which are brought to light by the gospel, of the glory reserved for the bodies of the saints, and the opening of the kingdom of heaven to all believers, as then to Elijah.

It was also a figure of Jesus’ ascension. We can compare this with the ascension of Jesus whose rise from earth to heaven was witnessed by the disciples gathered on the top of the Mount of Olives. Jesus, as Elijah, was despised and rejected while on earth, but certainly did receive a welcome in heaven. This is absolutely true of you and me too. Are you an Elijah today? Are you suffering from the rejection that the world and the people in the world often give to God’s faithful servants. Do not be discouraged or afraid. You are in good company. God has wonderful things prepared for us.

We could make two conclusions to this part of Elijah’s story. Verse 11 says “. . . as they were walking along and talking together . . .  1) If you are like Elijah, keep talking about the things of God until He takes you. 2) If you are like Elisha, keep listening to the things of God you can learn from senior ministers until they are taken away.

It is wonderful to talk about Jesus.