Twelve, a number that speaks of perfect administration, is used in connection with the kingdom of Israel and in connection with the laver of brass in Solomon's temple, which was supported by twelve oxen. From whatever angle you looked at the laver, you saw the oxen who were types of the patient One (Christ) that keeps the worshippers fit for their worship through cleansing of their hands and feet.
In John 13, the Lord Jesus maintains His disciples in a condition of fitness to enjoy the Father's house. They needed not to be washed all over (the work of the cross), but just the feet-the advocacy of Christ.
From David onward, God has maintained an adequate testimony to the coming, perfect administration of the promised kingdom. This line of testimony is figured in the twelve yoke of oxen plowing. Eleven yoke went ahead of Elisha, then he came with the twelfth yoke. A yoke of two of one mind plowing together indicates an adequate testimony. These yokes of oxen plowing picture the ways of God with men, seeking to reach the conscience down through the ages, not administrating a perfect, outward manifestation of the kingdom of God-that will finally appeal-but an inward, moral fitness for it.
Elisha is found at the close (he with the twelfth) of this ministration, called to heavenly things by a rejected Master who was going to heaven. On the reception of a double spirit Elisha was to be the eyewitness to man, not merely by words, but by the spirit of his master that rested on him (2 Kings 2:1515And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him. (2 Kings 2:15)). As a result, he was given works of power to do.
It was said of John the Baptist, "For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if ye will receive it, this is Elias [Elijah], which was for to come." Since that time the kingdom of God is preached and every man presses into it (presses in, if he wants to).