How to Take Up the Mantle – Part 1
(Elisha) 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 [2 Kings 2:14-15].
In keeping with the Word of God, Elijah summoned Elisha to the prophetic ministry. Elisha would be Elijah’s replacement. Well, the days went by and it was time for Elijah to exit the scene. Elisha would need to step up and fulfill the Lord’s task at hand.
So Elijah headed for the east bank of the Jordan River, where the Lord would remove him from the earth and promote him to eternity. At three separate locations Elijah told Elisha to wait behind, but Elisha would not budge. He had committed himself to the Lord and to Elijah, and he wasn’t about to leave Elijah at such a solemn time. So Elijah desisted from his attempts to dissuade Elisha.
Just before they crossed the Jordan, Elijah, knowing that his time was moments away, asked Elisha what he could do for him. Elisha responded to Elijah’s question, Please, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me (v.9).
A double portion in the Bible represented the right of the firstborn son. In effect Elisha put Elijah on notice that he wouldn’t be content to be just another prophet. He had to be Elijah’s replacement. Elisha admired Elijah and wanted to follow in his footsteps, you see. Elijah was the chief prophet at the time.
Elijah acceded to Elisha’s request, but with this proviso: 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 (v.11).
Well, lo and behold, as they walked along horses of fire and a chariot of fire came between them to separate them. Then a whirlwind carried Elijah to heaven. Elijah was raptured, you see. He went to heaven without first dying physically on the earth.
Elisha obtained his request. He did see Elijah when he was taken. He received a double portion of the spirit of Elijah. This spirit was the Holy Spirit, dear friends. Elijah’s spirit was under the control of the Spirit of God. This is what enabled Elijah to do such outstanding miracles. The Lord worked in and through Elijah, and Elijah served as the Lord’s body on earth.
Now it was Elisha who was full of the Spirit of God. It was time for him to be surrendered to the Spirit and perform miracles, in order to continue Elijah’s ministry of leading the Israelites out of Baal worship. So what was Elisha’s first act. He returned to the Jordan to cross back to the west bank. The river blocked his path, so he imitated what Elijah had done to get across.
Oh, but you will have to wait until tomorrow to find out what that was. We are out of time today! So go spend some time with the Lord Jesus a while. I love to be with Him!
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Deuteronomy: Volume 5 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
In keeping with the Word of God, Elijah summoned Elisha to the prophetic ministry. Elisha would be Elijah’s replacement. Well, the days went by and it was time for Elijah to exit the scene. Elisha would need to step up and fulfill the Lord’s task at hand.
So Elijah headed for the east bank of the Jordan River, where the Lord would remove him from the earth and promote him to eternity. At three separate locations Elijah told Elisha to wait behind, but Elisha would not budge. He had committed himself to the Lord and to Elijah, and he wasn’t about to leave Elijah at such a solemn time. So Elijah desisted from his attempts to dissuade Elisha.
Just before they crossed the Jordan, Elijah, knowing that his time was moments away, asked Elisha what he could do for him. Elisha responded to Elijah’s question, Please, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me (v.9).
A double portion in the Bible represented the right of the firstborn son. In effect Elisha put Elijah on notice that he wouldn’t be content to be just another prophet. He had to be Elijah’s replacement. Elisha admired Elijah and wanted to follow in his footsteps, you see. Elijah was the chief prophet at the time.
Elijah acceded to Elisha’s request, but with this proviso: 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 (v.11).
Well, lo and behold, as they walked along horses of fire and a chariot of fire came between them to separate them. Then a whirlwind carried Elijah to heaven. Elijah was raptured, you see. He went to heaven without first dying physically on the earth.
Elisha obtained his request. He did see Elijah when he was taken. He received a double portion of the spirit of Elijah. This spirit was the Holy Spirit, dear friends. Elijah’s spirit was under the control of the Spirit of God. This is what enabled Elijah to do such outstanding miracles. The Lord worked in and through Elijah, and Elijah served as the Lord’s body on earth.
Now it was Elisha who was full of the Spirit of God. It was time for him to be surrendered to the Spirit and perform miracles, in order to continue Elijah’s ministry of leading the Israelites out of Baal worship. So what was Elisha’s first act. He returned to the Jordan to cross back to the west bank. The river blocked his path, so he imitated what Elijah had done to get across.
Oh, but you will have to wait until tomorrow to find out what that was. We are out of time today! So go spend some time with the Lord Jesus a while. I love to be with Him!
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Deuteronomy: Volume 5 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
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