ToddGaddisBook_October2023_8.5x5.5.indd

the lord.

And soon after Elisha issued his request, an uncanny release took place. Let’s do a deep dive into this peculiar passing by exam ining these phenomena: Chariot of fire - “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 1 M.D. DeHaan and H.G. Bosch, Our Daily Bread (Grand Rapids, MI: 1959), Jan 3. whirlwind” (2 Kings 2:11). Like only Enoch before him (Gen esis 5:24), Elijah bypassed the normal death experience, and was taken directly to heaven in grand splendor. This is not a complete surprise, considering Elijah lived and ministered in Christlike fashion. Both emerged from obscurity. Both were despised by those they came to help. Both stood bravely before earthly kings. Representing the prophets, Elijah appeared before Jesus and His inner circle on the Mount of Transfiguration (Mark 9:4). Some even thought Jesus was Elijah (Matthew 16:14). Nearly a millennium before Jesus was lifted up from the Mount of Olives (Acts 1:9), Elijah was transported to heaven. Miraculous Cloak - Note that this mantle mentioned in Chapter 6 gains renewed significance during this time of transition.When the two came to the Jordan River, like Moses with his rod at the Red Sea, “Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up and struck the water with it. The water divided to the right and to the left, and the two of them crossed over on dry ground” (2 Kings 2: 8). Just as Israel crossed over a dried up Jordan to receive God’s promise of Canaan (Joshua 2:10), this special pair walked across to receive their rewards. Elijah went to his heavenly home and Elisha received a double portion of his mentor’s spirit. And once

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