Elijah ... The Man Who Did Not Die (PDF)

Elijah . . The Man Who Did Not Die PART II

by Gordon Lindsay

Published by CHRIST FOR THE NATIONS, INC. Dallas, TX 75224 Reprint 1984 All Rights Reserved

Contents Chapter I Elijah at the Mount of God...................................................5 Chapter II The Call of Elisha...............................................................11 Chapter III Elijah, The Man Unconquerable.........................................17 Chapter IV The Chariots of Israel and the Horsemen Thereof..............21 Chapter V Will Elijah Come Again?....................................................27

Chapter I 1

Elijah at the Mount of God

What had happened to Elijah in the previous chapter was completely out of character with the spirit of the man. But the fact that it happened prevents us from committing the error of supposing that Elijah was something more than human. He was as James says, “a man of like passions as we.” People who read the story of Elijah often lose sight of this fact. Somehow, they have an idea that he was sort of superman, a man made out of different kind of material than that of ordinary people. This, of course, is a great error. Elijah made mistakes and had to learn by what he suffered as anyone else. When Elijah was a youth, Asa, the great grandson of David, reigned over Judah. From David to Asa was a comparatively short period of time, as history goes. The exploits of King David were still within the knowledge of the people. Elijah longed to see a revival in Israel that would recall those wonderful days. As a boy he had witnessed Asa, through faith in God, defeat a great host of Ethiopians. But since then he had witnessed the sad spectacle of a steady spiritual decline in both the south and north kingdoms. The great vision of his soul was realized at the victory on Mount Carmel. It was in that spirit of exaltation that he ran all the way to Jezreel, arriving before Ahab did in his chariot. Then on the following day he heard the news that dashed all hopes that Ahab would carry on the reformation. Jezebel was on the warpath, and she had placed a heavy price upon his head. The prophet was caught off guard. He was to learn a lesson the hard way, but it was a lesson he would never forget. Never again would his poise be disturbed. Never again would he be thrown into a panic over Jezebel’s threats, or anybody else’s for that matter! Never again did his faith waver. All this would result from a new experience he was to receive at Horeb, the Mount of 5

Elijah ... The Man Who Did Not Die

God. We have mentioned that there may have been occasions in which Elijah was bodily transported. But when he ran away from Jezebel there was nothing supernatural about that. God never helps a man run away from a problem that he ought to face. When Jonah fled from the Lord, he paid the fare thereof, and eventually wound up his adventures in the belly of the fish. The journey of Elijah, when he fled from Jezebel, was an unhappy one. The further he went the more discouraged he became and the more he was confused. A fugitive from Jezebel’s law, he retreated deeper and deeper into the wilderness. His servant, a fair weather friend, had deserted him. Now Elijah was left alone. At last the prophet came to the end of his flight. Samaria was far behind. He was a full day’s journey from the nearest outpost of civilization. There was nothing to disturb him except his own reflections. But that was enough. On that day Elijah was a most unhappy and miserable man. He sat under the juniper tree and wished that he might die. Think of it! God had plans for taking him to heaven in a chariot of fire. Yet he wished that he might die. That was one prayer of Elijah’s that God did not answer. Destiny had a rendezvous with this man of God though he little realized it on that day. Are there not some like that today? The chariots of God are being prepared to take them to glory. But they are discouraged because they have not had all the comforts that they have desired, or they have not been able to realize personal ambitions, or perhaps someone has dealt ill with them. They are Christians but the world’s slow stain has worked upon them. They have lost the sparkle; they have lost the zest of life. Inspiration gone, they are plodders, acting as if there was no glory soon to be revealed. But God is tender. As a father, He pitieth his children. He knoweth their frame and remembereth that they are dust. How many have found that at their darkest hour, light began to dawn. God let Elijah go through a valley experience. In fact, God lets most of His children go through some fiery trial. Men must learn 6

Elijah at the Mount of God

to stand the test if they are to have a part in the eternal world. If they would reign with Him, they must suffer with Him. God must have men that He can depend on, who will not panic in the day of trouble. They must be men that God’s people can rally to, when the hour of trouble and distress comes upon the world. The spirit of Elijah was wounded but not broken. He needed a time of rest, a time to compose himself. It was not the real Elijah who said, “It is enough; now O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.” (I Kings 19:4). The Lord did not chide him. He let him sleep. After awhile an angel awoke him. Elijah had lived close enough to the spiritual world to not be disturbed by the visit of a heavenly messenger. He saw that God had thought enough of him to send an angel to kindle a fire, to bake a cake for him and to bring him a cruse of water, way out there in the wilderness. One of the errors of this materialistic world is its disbelief in an angelic ministry. When a statement is made that an angel has appeared to someone, it often evokes surprise, or even an arched eyebrow. How mistaken is this philosophy of materialism! Angels “are ministering spirits unto them who shall be heirs of salvation.” (Heb. 1:14). Angels encamp about those who fear the Lord. (Psalm 34:7). They protect the righteous from harm and danger. (Psalm 91:11-12). Had Christ called for them at the Cross, twelve legions would have responded to His call. On many occasions angels appeared to various persons of the New Testament Church. To deny the ministry of angels is tantamount to unbelief in the Word of God. The second time did the angel appear unto Elijah, awaking him out of his sleep and providing him with additional food. Then he instructed him that there was a long journey ahead. He was to go toward the South for a distance of about two hundred miles. There the Lord would meet with him at Horeb, the Mount of God. Horeb, or Sinai, was the mountain where the Lord appeared to Moses in the Burning Bush. There He gave him the Law and the Ten Commandments. There Moses became the deliverer of 7

Elijah ... The Man Who Did Not Die

Israel. There is a remarkable parallel between the lives of Moses and Elijah. Their experiences and ministry have many remarkable similarities. Centuries later, the two appear as witnesses at another Mountain—the Mount of Transfiguration, where Christ was transfigured. Both Moses and Elijah abstained from food forty days in connection with their ministry at Mount Horeb. When the Lord appeared to Moses there, at the giving of the Law, there was a fire, an earthquake, and the Voice of God speaking, as well as other supernatural phenomena. When God appeared to Elijah at the Mount, there was also a fire, an earthquake, and the Voice of God. There was, however, this notable difference: in Moses’ time, God was in the fire, and in the earthquake, and He spoke with a loud voice that all Israel could hear; but when God spoke to Elijah He was not in the fire, nor in the earthquake, nor in the mighty wind, but He spoke in a still small voice. (I Kings 19:1112). The difference? Israel had asked for law, but Elijah lived in the presence of God. Moses was the great intercessor, whose prayer saved Israel from annihilation. (Exodus 32:1-14). It was Elijah’s prayer and faith at Mount Carmel that turned the heart of Israel back to God. (I Kings 18:37-39). Moses did not complete his ministry, but it was taken over by Joshua. Likewise, Elijah’s ministry was carried on after he was gone by another, even Elisha. God took the spirit that was upon Moses and put it upon seventy elders (Num. 11:17). God took of the Spirit that was upon Elijah and put it upon Elisha (II Kings 2:15). The Spirit of God was upon Moses in such power that his natural force was not abated at the advanced age of one hundred and twenty. (Deut. 34:7). Elijah also, seemed to possess supernatural vitality which enabled him to perform physical feats that would have been, otherwise, impossible. (I Kings 18:46). The supernatural was manifest in the lives of both men even as they were taken from this world. Elijah by translation, and Moses by a most unique funeral—for God buried him, and later 8

Elijah at the Mount of God

raised his body. (Jude 9). At Sinai, Elijah listened to the still small voice. Here is a great lesson for us today. If we would enter into the ministry of Elijah, we must listen, as the prophet always did, for the still small voice of God. We must draw apart from the noise and the clamor of the busy world, if we are to make sure we do not miss it. Nothing will substitute in our Christian life for the waiting for, and the listening to, the Voice of God. At Sinai, Moses interceded for Israel after she had made the golden calves and broken the Covenant. In Elijah’s day Israel had again broken the Covenant, (I Kings 19:11) and had forsaken the Lord by setting up calves of gold. (I Kings 12:28). Both Moses and Elijah saved their generations by standing in the gap between God and the people. As God gave Moses a commission at Mt. Sinai, so He gave Elijah a commission. It was a commission that in the end would purge Israel of the wicked regime that had defiled the land. The commission included the anointing of Elisha, son of Shaphat, who was to carry on after his translation. And the Lord said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria: And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room. And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay.... (I Kings 19:15-17).

Before Elijah went to Horeb he was a man of faith. But he needed the experience of the Mount. When he left Horeb he was not the same man. Never again did fear come into his heart. Never again was he afraid of the face of man. Never again did he run from Jezebel. And this may we say, that those who shall, with Elijah, enter into that experience of dominion and faith, must also be willing to take time to have an experience on the Mount of God. It is there that Elijah saints are born. 9

Chapter II 2

The Call of Elisha

Elijah’s experience with his former servant caused him to consider his next selection with extreme caution. He rather had come to the opinion that he was the only one left in Israel that had any faith. Said he, “I only am left; and they seek my life to take it away.” (I Kings 19:10). The Lord, however, corrected this false view of Elijah’s and informed him that he still had seven thousand left that had not bowed the knee to Baal. (I Kings 19:18). At the same time, God revealed to the prophet His choice of the one who was to work with him in the future. In a supernatural ministry, God must do the choosing. How many people ruin their lives by the companions with whom they associate. Advice given by friends may make or break a man. Rehoboam, by listening to wrong advisers, allowed his kingdom to be divided. Many a man has ruined his ministry through the wrong choice of a life companion. Ahab, weak king that he was, showed on occasions that he was not all bad. (I Kings 21:27-29). Notwithstanding, his choice of the wicked Jezebel as his queen, ultimately sealed his doom. Whatever good impulses he had were overruled by this strong-willed and utterly unscrupulous woman. This time Elijah let God lead him to the man. Key men are hard to find. In fact, they are so scarce that only God knows where they are. There was one man in the kingdom that would make a worthy successor to Elijah. If Elijah had had to search for him, he probably never would have found him, but God spoke and told him who his successor would be—a man by the name of Elisha, the son of Shaphat. He told him where he was living, and also something of what his ministry was to be. That Elisha would share in, and complete the work of Elijah in rooting out Baal worship from the land (I Kings 17:19). It was a long journey back from Sinai to the land of Israel 11

Elijah ... The Man Who Did Not Die

where Elijah would perform the task of anointing Elisha. He was to go back into the very territory where Jezebel’s police force was, where a few weeks before they had sought to take his life. That is the way God deals. He takes His servants back to face the thing that they have sought to escape. The habit of running from the enemy, is a habit God does not want them to get into. If we run from battle once, we are likely to do the same thing the next time the enemy shows himself. Elijah must go back to the very place from which he had fled. He must anoint Elisha who lived only a short distance from the palace of Ahab. At Sinai, Elijah had met God and had a vision of His majesty. He spent forty days and nights on the strength of angel food. Now he was a new man. The name of Jezebel no longer terrified him. He was ready to go back to pronounce her doom. Arriving at the village where Elisha lives, he finds him plowing with a yoke of oxen. Elisha recognizes him. Elijah takes his mantle and casts it on Elisha. He will not coax him. If the man is alert to the call, he will understand its meaning. Elisha stops his plowing and looks at Elijah who is continuing on his journey. In a fraction of an instant Elisha’s decision has been made. “Let me I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee” (I Kings 19:20). Here is the first important test of Elisha. He is inspired by the man before him—the one who called down fire out of heaven at the contest on Carmel; Elijah, the man who prayed rain out of heaven and ended the drought; the man who had challenged and overthrown the prophets of Baal. Yes, the mighty Elijah had stopped and thrown his own mantle upon him. In the inspiration of the moment Elisha made the decision to follow him. But had he counted the cost? Did he know what it meant to follow Elijah? Did he know that Jezebel might soon have a price on his head also, when she heard that he had teamed up with the prophet? Elijah would know of what mettle he was. He must make sure if he had understood rightly when God told him to anoint Elisha as prophet in his room. Elisha didn’t belong to the school of the prophets. He had no theological training that we know of. He was just a dirt farmer, plowing with a yoke of 12

The Call of Elisha

oxen. Elijah would see what he would do. So, to Elisha’s inquiry, he said, “Go back again: for what have I done to thee.” In other words, Elijah said, “You had better consider what you are doing. Be sure you have counted the cost. When you talk it over with your friends and parents, perhaps you will reconsider your decision.” But Elijah was soon to learn what kind of a man Elisha was. Here at last was a man after Elijah’s own heart. Here was a man worthy to be his successor. Elisha went back to his parents, but not to reconsider his decision. That had been made forever. Even then he was preparing to burn all bridges behind him so that he could not retreat. The other servant at Carmel had apparently left things so that he could return to them. But not Elisha. He took the yoke of oxen and slew them, and made a feast for his friends. The call of God was to him a serious matter. Elisha made no provision for the future. If he failed, he would have no yoke of oxen to come back to. His job as plowman was gone forever. It was do or die, sink or swim. The decision was irrevocably made. Elisha kissed his father and mother goodbye and went to join Elijah. Next came the second test. The first servant was a man who was willing to share in the glory of victory, but had little taste for the toil and the trials. When persecution came, he was for dropping all and running for his life. At the first opportunity he left Elijah for employment which would be less arduous and not fraught with such uncertainty and danger. On the other hand, Elisha joined Elijah’s party to work for God. The first thing that is said about Elisha when he left to go with Elijah is that he “ministered unto him.” He did not wait until he could do some grand act, or perform some heroic deed, before he got busy. Much is said about the mighty works of Elisha in his ministry after Elijah’s ascension. Little is said of what he did before. Elisha spent many days learning. He was willing to be an apprentice. While Elijah ministered, he altogether outshone his servant. Elisha was known to the people only as the man “which poured water on the hands of Elijah.” 13

Elijah ... The Man Who Did Not Die

(II Kings 3:11). But in so doing, Elisha was near Elijah, and that was what he desired. What if he did not draw a great salary, or any salary at all? Would he be like the other servant and run for his life, or, with Elijah, would he boldly face this woman that would stop at absolutely nothing to gain her ends. The time was at hand when Elijah would find out, for the Lord had just told the prophet to go to Naboth’s vineyard hard by the palace grounds of Ahab. There, right at Jezebel’s doorstep, Elijah was to denounce the cowardly deed that had been done by this wicked woman with Ahab’s acquiescence. Ahab was no longer searching for Elijah. He wanted to stay away from him as far as possible. Even Jezebel, for some reason, had lost her zeal for seeking the life of the man of God. She evidently had learned that the ministry of the whirlwind prophet had made a very deep impression upon the people. The name of Elijah was upon the lips of everyone. It was dangerous for even the queen to attempt to lay a hand upon him. As for Ahab, he wanted nothing further to do with Elijah. He knew his life was such as to only bring down the fierce denunciations of this fearless man of God. It would be wise to steer clear of the prophet altogether. But, if Ahab was no longer looking for Elijah, for what reason had God sent him to the King? Ahab had a neighbor by the name of Naboth, who owned a vineyard close by his palace. He coveted Naboth’s well-kept garden and had made an offer to Naboth for its purchase. Naboth was one of those who had respect for the law of the Lord. When Ahab tried to buy his land he refused the offer, saying, “The Lord forbid it me that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee.” (I Kings 21:3). Naboth’s attitude was in accord with Leviticus 25:23, where the children of Israel were commanded to not sell their inheritance. Ahab, like a spoiled child, turned away and went to his house “heavy and displeased.” There he laid on his bed sulking, and refusing to eat. His wife Jezebel came to inquire what the trouble was. He explained that Naboth would not sell him his vineyard. 14

The Call of Elisha

Whereupon Jezebel, who thought the kingdom was for their personal pleasure, arranged a false arrest of Naboth by sending letters out in Ahab’s name, charging Naboth with blasphemy and sedition. The woman who hated the name of the God of Israel had no scruples in hypocritically using the charge of blasphemy as a pretext for taking Naboth’s life. After the cruel deed had been accomplished, Jezebel returned to inform Ahab that Naboth was dead and for him to rise and take possession of the vineyard. But his gratification was short-lived for, while he was inspecting the vineyard, Elijah met him. Here was a real test for Elisha. The other servant had fled from the face of Ahab and Jezebel. What would Elisha do? Although the text makes no mention of Elisha as being with Elijah at the time, we know he was. Elisha was inseparable from the great prophet. He followed him wherever he went. Elisha said to Elijah, “As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee.” (II Kings 2:2). He repeated these words in every place that Elijah went. No matter where Elijah might go or what the hazards might be, Elisha was going with him. When Elijah said to Elisha, “You tarry here while the Lord sends me to another place,” his answer was always the same, “As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee.” Jezebel was past conscience, but Ahab, sinner that he was, still had pangs of conscience. When Elijah stood before him in the vineyard of Naboth, he was panic-stricken. It is doubtful that he himself would ever have committed such a crime as Jezebel had committed but, because of his weakness, he had allowed himself to become accessory to the crime. His own covetousness had led him into complicity in the terrible act of murder. As the face of Elijah appeared before him, he saw the pronouncement of his own doom. “Hast thou found me, O mine enemy?” Elijah, in stem words, told him that he had found him because he had sold himself to work evil in the sight of the Lord. Then came a fearful pronouncement of judgment upon Ahab and Jezebel. But even here the mercy of God was in evidence. Ahab, trembling, filled with remorse, terror-stricken over the words of 15

Elijah ... The Man Who Did Not Die

Elijah, and having no doubt that they would come true, rent his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and fasted. Whereupon, the word of the Lord came to Elijah saying, “Seeth thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me? because he humbleth himself before me, I will not bring evil in his days; but in his son’s days will I bring evil upon his house.” (I Kings 21:29). God’s mercy is extended to the least worthy, whenever He can find a possible reason for doing so. Unfortunately, Ahab’s repentance was not permanent. He later entered into an alliance with Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, and together they prosecuted a war against Syria. The lying prophets of Ahab predicted victory, but Jehoshaphat, a good king, though sadly at fault in entering into an alliance with the ungodly Ahab, was not satisfied and called for a prophet of the Lord. A genuine prophet came and revealed the true state of affairs. The lying spirit had impersonated the Spirit of God in the mouths of the prophets, and in reality, Ahab was going into battle to his own destruction. Ahab refused to take the prophet’s advice, and went to his doom. Smitten in battle, he died in his chariot and his blood ran down upon the ground and was licked up by the dogs in the very spot where Elijah had prophesied it would happen. So much for king Ahab, whose life was a dark blot upon the history of the nation of Israel. Jezebel was to suffer a worse fate. She would fall to her death and the dogs of the city would devour her body.

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Chapter III 3

Elijah, The Man Unconquerable

Elijah’s work on earth was about completed. His successor Elisha had been an apt pupil. Ahab had met judgment and a new king, Ahaziah, reigned in his stead. Despite all the lessons that he should have learned from the mistakes of his father and mother, he chose to follow in their same course. Then, he had a serious accident. He fell through the lattice in his upper chamber and seriously injured himself. His condition was so bad that little hope was held for his recovery. Ahaziah had reigned only two years and he did not want to die. Had he availed himself of the friendship of the prophet Elijah, he might have had faith for his healing. But he was not interested in Elijah. Like many others since his day, he wanted a religion that would permit him to live his life in the way that he wanted. Having no faith in Jehovah while he was in health, he had no faith when he was sick. He, therefore, sent messengers to Ekron to inquire of Baal-zebub whether he would recover of the disease that had come upon him as a result of his fall. (II Kings 1:2). But the messengers had gone only a short distance on their journey when they met Elijah. They did not know who he was but they noted the prophet’s appearance as a “hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins.” Elijah’s message was brief and to the point. He gave the messengers instructions to say to the king, “Is it not because there is no God in Israel that ye go to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? Now, therefore, thus saith the Lord. Thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou are gone up, but shalt surely die.” (II Kings 1:4). The reaction of Ahaziah to the prophet’s message was 17

Elijah ... The Man Who Did Not Die

typical to that of his father, Ahab. Instead of turning to God and looking to him for mercy, he demanded that the prophet come to his bedside, whereupon it seems he hoped, by argument or threats, to get him to reconsider the pronouncement that he had made. Failing that, he might threaten him with death. To accomplish this purpose, he sent a company of fifty soldiers to Elijah. Once, Elijah had run from such a situation. He was not running this time. He had met God at Horeb! A man who stood in the presence of Jehovah was not going to fear the messengers of a human king. He sat on the top of a hill and watched as the soldiers approached him. Their message was curt and demanding. “Thou man of God, the king hath said, Come down.” Elijah remained seated and seemed unperturbed, “If I be a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty,” (II Kings 1:10). Back at the king’s palace, Ahaziah waited anxiously. The hours passed and the messengers did not return. The king was disturbed. He sent another fifty with the same message. The hours passed and there was no word from them either. Desperate men lose all sense of sanity. Ahaziah, with life ebbing away, sent an urgent message with another fifty for Elijah to come at once to his bedside. But by now, the news had gotten around as to the fate of the other soldiers. The captain, fearful of his life, approached Elijah in a different attitude. In fear and trembling he fell down before Elijah and begged for his life. “Oh man of God, I pray thee, let my life, and the life of these fifty thy servants, be precious in thy sight. Behold there came fire down from heaven and burnt up the two captains of the former fifties with their fifties: therefore let my life be precious in thy sight.” There are two important things to notice here. One is that the man of God succeeded in producing respect for the ministry. The sons of the prophets, by their weak and vacillating faith, had succeeded in bringing contempt upon the religion of Jehovah. Ministers, in those days, were used to being ordered around. Priests, looking for an easy living had transferred their allegiance to Jezebel and her table. When Jezebel cracked the 18

Elijah, The Man Unconquerable

whip, everybody jumped. But the picture was changing. The fear of the Lord was being restored in Israel. But, lest we err, we must pause a moment and notice that under grace, men of God are to use restraint in the execution of vengeance. When Jesus and His apostles were turned away from a certain city in Samaria, James and John had said, “Lord wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them even as Elias did?” (Luke 9:54). The Lord rebuked them for their vengeful spirit and said to them, “Ye know not what spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” (Luke 9:55). The spirit of Christianity is not to destroy men’s lives but to save them. Nevertheless, it is worthy of note that, the disciples had reached a place in faith that they could have called fire down from heaven if Christ had given them leave. Only it was their duty to employ the power of God, not to destroy men’s lives, but rather to save them.

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Chapter IV 4

The Chariots of Israel and the Horsemen Thereof

The great day had come at last. Elijah was to go up to heaven by a whirlwind. For the second time in history a mortal man was to leave this world without dying. As Enoch had walked with God, so had Elijah. As God took Enoch so He took Elijah. In the Divine plan, there was a purpose in the translation of these two men. Elijah, with Enoch, is a type of the saints who will be living at the coming of Christ. As the Apostle Paul shows, the faithful saints who are alive at the coming of the Lord will be caught up to meet Him, and thus they never see death. Elijah was at Gilgal when the word of the Lord came to inform him that the time of his departure was at hand. He turned to his servant Elisha and said, “Tarry here I pray thee; for the Lord hath sent me to Bethel.” But Elisha answered, “As the Lord liveth and as thy soul liveth I will not leave thee.” (II Kings 2:2). So the two journeyed to Bethel. Gilgal means a circle. One can go round and round in a circle and never get anywhere. That can be said of the spiritual progress of many. They go round and round but never go forward. This is true of some who have had the call of God upon them. Alas, they have become at ease in Zion. Such persons can be easily identified because they have no vision of world-wide revival. But Elisha was not of this number. He had no intention of staying at Gilgal. He was going on with Elijah to Bethel. To go on to Bethel is the first spiritual step of the believer. At Bethel men receive a vision of God. There they see the ladder that reaches down from heaven to earth (Gen. 28:12). Like Jacob of old, men at Bethel make vows to God. Those who go to Bethel are the spiritual members of the church. Those who remain at Gilgal identify themselves as the nominal professors 21

Elijah ... The Man Who Did Not Die

of religion—earthly minded men such as Jacob’s brother Esau. At Gilgal, Saul the king, showed his self-will, believing sacrifice was better than obedience. Bethel, however, is not a stopping place. God does not want His people to stay at the place where they began their experience. He wants them to move on. Jacob went on from Bethel to Peniel, which is beyond Jordan. There he wrestled with an angel of God and prevailed. Bethel was the home of many of the sons of the prophets. These men knew that Elijah was going to be translated, but they were content to tarry at Bethel. Perhaps it would be wise for Elisha also to stay at Bethel. It was a long journey ahead. Elijah advised him to wait at Bethel, while he went on to Jericho. Men with only a Bethel vision, had better remain at Bethel with the sons of the prophets. But Elisha would hear none of it. Where Elijah went, he was going also. And so the two went on to Jericho, the city of the curse. Jericho had been rebuilt at the beginning of Elijah’s ministry, and upon the builder had come a curse. (I Kings 16). Why should Elijah and Elisha go there? Only those who have a vision of a lost world have a ministry at Jericho. Later, when the spirit of Elijah would come on Elisha he would remove the curse of that city. The bitter water would be made sweet and the land productive. Some day, Jesus would pass through Jericho and remove the spiritual curse. When He would come, the sinful would be saved, and the blind receive their sight. (Luke 19). Those, like the Saviour, who would fulfill the ministry of deliverance must go on to Jericho. There they will set men free from the curse of sin and sickness. So both Elijah and Elisha passed on to Jericho. But Elijah would not tarry there longer than necessary. He must also go on to Jordan. Elijah and Elisha had now been long on the journey. A rest might be a wise thing. But Elisha would not stay. If Elijah went on to Jordan, he would go also. Jordan is the symbol of death. Death is something that men shrink from. Few people want to experience death—death to the flesh, death to the self22

The Chariots of Israel and the Horsemen Thereof

life, and death to personal ambition. But death is necessary if the resurrection life of Christ is to replace the natural life. Many Christians will go as far as Bethel; many will go to Jericho, but few will go as far as Jordan, the river of death. The sons of the prophets lived in Jericho, but they did not go on to the Jordan. Fifty sons of the prophets came part of the way, but they stopped and viewed afar off. But those who become Elijah saints, those who wish the power of Elijah, must be willing to go on to Jordan. Crossing the Jordan seemed a hard thing, but it only appeared hard. Elijah took his mantle and smote the waters and lo, they parted, and the two went over dry shod. Elisha had followed Elijah through the Jordan. He had proved himself to Elijah that he was the man to receive his mantle. Now Elijah turned to his successor and said, “Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee.” (II Kings 2:9). Elisha did not have to think for the answer. He has waited a long time for this moment. He had slain the oxen and burned the bridges behind him. Long ago, he had bade his parents goodbye and started on a journey. With Elijah he had faced a wicked king and pronounced judgment on both him and his wife. He had followed Elijah to Gilgal, to Bethel, to Jericho, to Jordan, and to the other side. Now, at last, the question that he had been waiting for all these years was asked him. The answer came without hesitation, “I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.” That was all. That was all Elisha wanted. Elijah told him he had asked a hard thing, but it was just possible that it could be granted. “If thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not it shall not be so.” (Verse 10). Well this was still one more test that Elisha must pass before the desire of his heart would be his. If he saw Elijah when he went up, then a double portion of his spirit would be upon him. If not, then it should not be. He had passed every test successfully but this one. He dare not fail now. Not for an 23

Elijah ... The Man Who Did Not Die

instant did Elisha’s eyes leave Elijah. He kept him continually in conversation. The sons of the prophets had gathered to watch in the distance. It would be a temptation to turn and see what they were doing. In that same valley to the south, Lot’s wife had looked behind her and had become a pillar of salt. On every side there were historic spots that might capture the prophet’s attention; but he had no eyes for anything but Elijah. Never for a moment would he let him get out of his sight. Suddenly something happened! In the midst of their conversation, a chariot of fire with horses of fire appeared and sweeping low it parted them asunder and snatched Elijah away. And Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. But Elisha had seen it all, and cried out, “My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof.” The mantle of Elijah fell to the ground. Elisha picked it up. Elijah was gone but his spirit remained with Elisha. He went back the way he had come to the river Jordan. Taking the mantle, he smote the waters and they parted hither and thither. The sons of the prophets looked at each other and said, “The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha.” What was the purpose of this last test? Why was it necessary for Elisha to see Elijah as he went up? Elijah is a type of the Lord. Christ came to earth and walked with the sons of men. Then came the day when he would be parted from the midst of them. But He told them that if He went away He would send them the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, to be with them. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him: for he dwelleth with you and shall be in you... He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you …. (John 14:16-17, 26).

The Holy Ghost could not come on the disciples until Jesus went to heaven. “... If I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.” 24

The Chariots of Israel and the Horsemen Thereof

(John 16:7). If the disciples could believe this, believe that Jesus indeed rose from the dead, if they could see Him ascended to heaven and sitting at the right hand of the Father, then they would receive of the Spirit of Jesus. Then they would do the mighty works that Jesus did and even greater works. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall ye do; because I go unto my Father.” (John 14:12). Only if our eyes are on Christ as the eyes of Elisha were on Elijah, may we have the double portion of His Spirit. Only as we keep our eyes on Him at all times shall we be successful. We dare not tarry at Bethel nor Jericho. We dare not play it safe as did the sons of the prophets. We must go on beyond Jordan. We must have no eyes for any but Christ. Our conversation and thoughts must be on Him. Then will the double portion of the Spirit of God be upon us. Then we shall return with the ministry of the supernatural and bless that which has been cursed. Then shall we have a ministry of deliverance as Elisha had. Then shall we heal the sick, recover the leper, raise the dead, and provide bread for the famine stricken. Then when the hour comes, and our work is finished, the chariots of fire will descend to earth and part us asunder from this world, and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

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Chapter V 5

Will Elijah Come Again?

Behold, I will send Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse. (Malachi 4:5-6).

And now the question is, will Elijah come to earth again? This question is not easy to answer, because it has more than one phase of fulfillment. Yet it has such an important relation to our time that it must be answered. The above scripture plainly says that Elijah will come again. The fact that this is the last statement of the Old Testament lends importance to it. The statement is positive, for it says, “I will send Elijah the prophet.” The time of fulfillment also is indicated. It is before the great and dreadful day of the Lord. It is definite that this Scripture must be fulfilled during this present age. The Scripture evidently refers to a great revival, for the latter part of the prophecy speaks of turning “the heart of the fathers to the children” and “the children to the fathers,” which is none other than a Bible expression meaning a spiritual awakening. Luke 1:17, which alludes to this prophecy, definitely interprets it to mean the preparing of a people for the coming of the Lord. But, as is well known, prophecy often has a double and even a multiple fulfillment—one fulfillment being the type of the next.

Elijah Appeared on the Mount of Transfiguration Elijah literally and in person appeared with Moses on the 27

Elijah ... The Man Who Did Not Die

Mount of Transfiguration, in his glorified body: And behold there walked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias; Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. (Luke 9:30-31).

It could be definitely said that the person Elijah has already returned to earth for he stood with Christ on the Mount of Transfiguration (Verse 32). However, this event did not fulfill the requirements of the above prophecy, which declares that Elijah was going to turn the hearts of the people back to God. The appearance on the Mount of Transfiguration was limited to a few minutes and was witnessed only by three disciples.

Is Elijah One of the Two Witnesses? At this point we should call attention to the fact that the majority of prophetic writers have taught that the Two Witnesses of Revelation, are Moses and Elijah. In proof of this it is pointed out that Elijah never saw death, and Moses apparently was raised from the dead. (Jude 9). Concerning these witnesses Revelation 11:6, says, These have power to shut up the heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.

Certainly the above is descriptive of the ministries of Moses and Elijah. Moses had power over plagues, while Elijah called for a famine of three years and a half—the length of time of the Great Tribulation. Many believe that the “two men” who stood with the disciples as Jesus ascended to heaven, were Moses and Elijah. They were spoken of, not as angels but as men. (Acts 1:10- 11). This may be true, though, of course, it cannot be proved. If Elijah returns to earth before the Great and Notable Day of the Lord, as the Scripture seems to make clear, then prophetic 28

Will Elijah Come Again?

students have some reason to assume that his role will be one of the Two Witnesses. All this is interesting and worthy of careful study by the Bible student. This, however, is not a matter for theological controversy. God will fulfill these prophecies in due time. But there is another aspect of this prophecy that we shall now consider, and it is something that is of supreme importance to our time, and which we believe cannot be challenged.

The Spirit of Elijah Let us notice the words “spirit of Elijah,” for they are an important clue to one phase of the fulfillment of this prophecy. We have in the previous chapter noticed that when Elijah was about to be taken to heaven, Elisha walked with him from Gilgal to Jordan, and would not leave him on any pretext. Elijah turned to Elisha and said, “Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.” (II Kings 2:9). This was a hard thing but Elijah did not say it was impossible. He told Elisha that if he should see him when he was taken up then it should be, but if not it should not be so. Minutes later the chariot of fire from heaven swept down, and Elijah was caught up in a whirlwind into heaven. Elisha saw it happen. As Elijah went up, his mantle fell to the ground. Elisha picked it up and returned to the Jordan. As he reached the river, he took the mantle and smote the waters, and they parted for him as they had for Elijah. The sons of the prophets which had viewed the scene afar off, said, “The spirit of Elijah doth rest upon Elisha.” (II Kings 2:15). Thus, we see that it is possible for a tangible something of one man’s spirit to pass on to another. Elisha, as we all know, in the years to come, did carry on the ministry of Elijah in double power. Now if the spirit of Elijah could be transferred to another person such as Elisha, may it not be possible that this could happen again?

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Elijah ... The Man Who Did Not Die

Was John the Baptist Elijah? When the angel of the Lord met Zacharias in the temple and told him about the coming birth of John the Baptist, he made this significant prophecy, And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. (Luke 1:17).

It is evident that we have here a reference to Malachi 4:5-6. In a very definite way, John the Baptist was the fulfillment of this Scripture. Under his powerful preaching of repentance, thousands came from all over the land to repent of their sins and be baptized at his hands. Yet, John the Baptist seemed to have no inkling of his role in this respect. When the priests and Levites came and said to him, “Art thou Elias?” his answer was, “I am not.” (John 1:21). He did understand, however, that he was come to prepare the way of the Lord, and he was a fulfillment of prophecy in that respect: He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esais. (John 1:23).

John the Baptist was willing to be just a voice crying in the wilderness. His whole ambition was not to draw attention to himself, but rather to the Lord. He was there to prepare people for the Lord, Who would come after him. His words to those who asked him, were “He must increase but I must decrease.”

What Jesus Said About the Coming of Elijah But Jesus said something about John the Baptist that he himself did not know. Jesus said to the people, “And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.” (Matt. 11:14). John the Baptist said he was not Elijah, but Jesus said that if the 30

Will Elijah Come Again?

people would receive it, John the Baptist was Elijah that was to come! The disciples, after they had witnessed the transfiguration in which they had seen Elijah in his glorified state, asked for further information. They said, “Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?” (Matt. 17:10). Jesus answered this question by saying “... Elias truly shall come, and restore all things. But I say unto you, that Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed.” (Vs. 11-12). Again he referred to John the Baptist whom they had put to death. Putting these Scriptures together, it is plainly seen that John the Baptist was one fulfillment of Malachi 4:5-6. He had come in the spirit of Elijah, even as Elisha had ministered in the spirit of Elijah. He had thus fulfilled the prophecy which was spoken by Gabriel concerning his coming in the spirit of Elijah, and his turning the “hearts of the fathers to the children.” But he was not actually the personality of Elijah, for he himself said he was not. Although John the Baptist had come in the spirit of Elijah and had turned the hearts of the fathers to the children, and had prepared a people for the coming of the Lord, yet he did not fulfill the prophecy of restoring all things. Jesus said that Elijah would come and restore all things. Certainly, all things are not yet restored. There is a future fulfillment.

How Will This Prophecy Be Fulfilled? As we have said, many students of prophecy believe that Elijah is one of the Two Witnesses, and that Elijah will come in person. There seems to be a basis for their belief. But settling that question is not the purpose of this book. There is another fulfillment which is the one that is of vital importance to us. If Elisha ministered in the spirit of Elijah, after the prophet was gone, and if John the Baptist ministered in the spirit of Elijah centuries later, what about the day that we are living in now? Shall not God once more raise up men of faith who will go 31

Elijah ... The Man Who Did Not Die

forth in the spirit of Elijah and turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to the fathers—in other words make ready a people of this generation, prepared for the Lord! We are assured that he will—and is doing that very thing today!

False Aspirants to the Name of Elijah There is, however, a word of warning that we would sound. When John the Baptist was asked if he were Elijah, he answered that he was not. He had no desire or ambition for self-exaltation. He was willing to be “a voice in the wilderness.” All he desired was to see a people prepared for the coming of the Lord. Unfortunately, not all men are so self-effacing. History records the fatal mistake of some who have imagined themselves Elijah, and who thought that by their human efforts they would bring in the Millennium. Time has proved the folly and shame of such assumptions. God grant that no more shall appear on the scene who shall seek for themselves the title of “Elijah.” God grant, however, that many shall covet the power of Elijah, so that they may go forth and minister, that they may make ready a people prepared for the coming of the Lord. Elijah shall come first and restore all things. Perhaps the very Elijah of Bible times will come to earth in the literal fulfillment of that prophecy. If that is God’s plan, so shall it be. God will take care of it in His own time. But it is our concern that God will raise up may Elishas and many John the Baptists that will thunder repentance, that will bring the message of deliverance to a world whose sun is about to set in a night of apostasy and judgment. Only the spirit of Elijah will meet the challenge of our day. Only the boldness of Elijah will break the grip of sin and iniquity in which the nations of the world are sinking. Only the ministry of the supernatural will cause the people to fall on their faces as they did at Mount Carmel and say, “The Lord he is God; the Lord he is God.” Only the ministry of the miraculous will beat back the powers of darkness that are seeking to overwhelm the people of God. We need, we 32

Will Elijah Come Again?

must have, men who will minister in the spirit of Elijah. Thank God they are coming!

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