2 Kings 2:1-19
For many years the prophet Elijah had spoken to the kings of Israel whatever words God had told him. It was not easy to do that, because the kings did not want to hear God’s words or obey Him, and they often tried to kill this man, so he had to hide from them.
At last, God showed Elijah that he should be taken to heaven, and told him to go to the river Jordan. There were others who had heard that Elijah was to go to heaven, and they came toward the river and waited. But Elisha kept close to his master, and Elijah struck the water of the river with his mantle, and the waters divided each way, leaving a path in the wide river, so Elijah and Elisha walked across.
That was very wonderful, but a greater thing was to happen. As they walked on together, a chariot of fire with horses of fire came between them, and Elijah was taken up to heaven by a whirlwind.
Elisha stood by watching and called, “My father, my father!” for Elijah was as a father to him. This was a wondrous sight as no other has seen. All God’s acts are greater than we can understand, but we can believe and honor Him. Elisha took the mantle which had fallen from Elijah and went to the river, and struck the water with the mantle, calling on the Lord, Who again divided the river for Elisha to cross back.
The men who had watched Elijah and Elisha. cross over the river came to Elisha, and said that fifty strong men would go to hunt for Elijah, across on the mountains or valleys. You see they had not fully believed God’s words that He would take Elijah to heaven.
Elisha, said that they should not go to look, but they urged more, so he said to go. But they could not find Elijah. He no longer was hiding in mountains or deserts for fear of the angry king; he was with the Lord. And long after, there are wondrous words written of Elijah being with Moses coming from heaven to talk with the Lord Jesus while He was on earth (Mark 9:2-8).
You will see that the name, Elijah, and also, Elisha, are not spelled the same in the New Testament, because it was first written in Greek and the Old Testament in Hebrew, but the meanings are the same. (See Luke 4:25-27).
Do you know the name of another man who was taken to heaven without dying? (Gen. 5:24; Heb. 11:5).
ML 04/16/1939