Let me do a quick breakdown of what I'm seeing in the story of Elijah and Elisha, verse by verse. This is such a fascinating story!
**Verses 1-3 Elijah tells Elisha to hang back because he’s been sent to
Gilgal. Elisha says he’s going to remain with Elijah even though “the
sons of prophets” at Bethel tell him that his master is going to be
taken away from him. He tells them to be still and carries on.
2 Kings 2: 1 Now when the LORD was about to take Eli'jah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Eli'jah and Eli'sha were on their way from Gilgal. 2 And Eli'jah said to Eli'sha, "Tarry here, I pray you; for the LORD has sent me as far as Bethel." But Eli'sha said, "As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So they went down to Bethel. 3 And the sons of the prophets who were in Bethel came out to Eli'sha, and said to him, "Do you know that today the LORD will take away your master from over you?" And he said, "Yes, I know it; hold your peace."
**Verses 4-5 Elijah tells Elisha to hang back because he’s being sent to Jericho. Elisha says he will remain with Elijah even though “the sons of the prophets” at Jericho tell him that his master is going to be taken away from him. He tells them to be still and carries on.
2 Kings 2:4 Eli'jah said to him, "Eli'sha, tarry here, I pray you; for the LORD has sent me to Jericho." But he said, "As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So they came to Jericho. 5 The sons of the prophets who were at Jericho drew near to Eli'sha, and said to him, "Do you know that today the LORD will take away your master from over you?" And he answered, "Yes, I know it; hold your peace."
**Verses 6-7 Elijah tells Elisha to hang back because he’s going to the Jordan. Elisha says he will not leave, but this time “the sons of the prophets” remain silent. They are numbered at 50, which is the number that represents deliverance – the Jubilee. Surely Elisha knows what’s about to happen next after two dire warnings from the sons of the prophets.
2 Kings 2:6 Then Eli'jah said to him, "Tarry here, I pray you; for the LORD has sent me to the Jordan." But he said, "As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So the two of them went on. 7 Fifty men of the sons of the prophets also went, and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan.
**Verse 8 Elijah leads them BOTH through the Jordan river, which is symbolic of transition from one spiritual state to another.
2 Kings 2:8 Then Eli'jah took his mantle, and rolled it up, and struck the water, and the water was parted to the one side and to the other, till the two of them could go over on dry ground.
**Verses 9-10 Elijah offers to provide Elisha one last thing before he is brought to heaven: a double portion of the Spirit. Elijah gives the conditions under which it will be granted - he has to "see" the rapture take place.
2 Kings 2:9 When they had crossed, Eli'jah said to Eli'sha, "Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you." And Eli'sha said, "I pray you, let me inherit a double share of your spirit." 10 And he said, "You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if you do not see me, it shall not be so."
**Verses 11-12 A winnowing
takes place. They have both crossed the Jordan, but one is taken to
heaven and one is left behind. Elisha is so distressed that he tears his
clothes, even though he knows he is going to receive a double portion
of the spirit.
2 Kings 2:11 And as they still went on and talked, behold, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Eli'jah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 12 And Eli'sha saw it and he cried, "My father, my father! the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!" And he saw him no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and rent them in two pieces.
**Verses 13-14 Elisha picks up the mantle, a metaphor for continuing the work and responsibility of Elijah. He calls upon God and crosses back over the Jordan.
2 Kings 2:13 And he took up the mantle of Eli'jah that had fallen from him, and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. 14 Then he took the mantle of Eli'jah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, saying, "Where is the LORD, the God of Eli'jah?" And when he had struck the water, the water was parted to the one side and to the other; and Eli'sha went over.
He goes on to purify the water at Jericho, and to cause 42 mocking boys to be destroyed by she-bears. Forty-two is a number associated with man’s work apart from God, anti-christ, and departure from God’s statutes.
Do you think that Elisha represents believers who are not raptured because they were dismissive of rapture warnings, even though they knew it would eventually happen?
For those of you who ask, "I thought the restrainer leaves before Tribulation?" The way I understand it, the restrainer DOES leave with us. However, Elijah's mantle is what had the power to stop the flow of the Jordan - telling us is was the Holy Spirit. And the mantle went UP with him. But then, it came back down, and Elisha used it to stop the flow of the Jordan again. I believe this is the picture of the Holy Spirit coming back down to give the "double portion" to those who understand the rapture has taken place and accept Christ.
The word for "see" in verse 10 has multiple meanings, not just the physical act of looking. It also means perceive, ascertain, or comprehend.
And is it possible that the two warning signs, though not mentioned, could be the final super-moons of 2019. The first in January, the second in February, and the third in March? But the prophets don't warn Elisha the third time. Could it be because they're already gone?
And, like Elisha, they will receive a double portion of the spirit – if
they witness the rapture - to continue God’s work among the polluted
water of this world (through the addition of salt, no less!)?
Would it be a comfort to you to know that a double portion of the Spirit was yours, knowing that you'd be here through tribulation?
Eyes up!
**Verses 1-3 Elijah tells Elisha to hang back because he’s been sent to
Gilgal. Elisha says he’s going to remain with Elijah even though “the
sons of prophets” at Bethel tell him that his master is going to be
taken away from him. He tells them to be still and carries on.2 Kings 2: 1 Now when the LORD was about to take Eli'jah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Eli'jah and Eli'sha were on their way from Gilgal. 2 And Eli'jah said to Eli'sha, "Tarry here, I pray you; for the LORD has sent me as far as Bethel." But Eli'sha said, "As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So they went down to Bethel. 3 And the sons of the prophets who were in Bethel came out to Eli'sha, and said to him, "Do you know that today the LORD will take away your master from over you?" And he said, "Yes, I know it; hold your peace."
**Verses 4-5 Elijah tells Elisha to hang back because he’s being sent to Jericho. Elisha says he will remain with Elijah even though “the sons of the prophets” at Jericho tell him that his master is going to be taken away from him. He tells them to be still and carries on.
2 Kings 2:4 Eli'jah said to him, "Eli'sha, tarry here, I pray you; for the LORD has sent me to Jericho." But he said, "As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So they came to Jericho. 5 The sons of the prophets who were at Jericho drew near to Eli'sha, and said to him, "Do you know that today the LORD will take away your master from over you?" And he answered, "Yes, I know it; hold your peace."
**Verses 6-7 Elijah tells Elisha to hang back because he’s going to the Jordan. Elisha says he will not leave, but this time “the sons of the prophets” remain silent. They are numbered at 50, which is the number that represents deliverance – the Jubilee. Surely Elisha knows what’s about to happen next after two dire warnings from the sons of the prophets.
2 Kings 2:6 Then Eli'jah said to him, "Tarry here, I pray you; for the LORD has sent me to the Jordan." But he said, "As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So the two of them went on. 7 Fifty men of the sons of the prophets also went, and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan.
**Verse 8 Elijah leads them BOTH through the Jordan river, which is symbolic of transition from one spiritual state to another.
2 Kings 2:8 Then Eli'jah took his mantle, and rolled it up, and struck the water, and the water was parted to the one side and to the other, till the two of them could go over on dry ground.
**Verses 9-10 Elijah offers to provide Elisha one last thing before he is brought to heaven: a double portion of the Spirit. Elijah gives the conditions under which it will be granted - he has to "see" the rapture take place.
2 Kings 2:9 When they had crossed, Eli'jah said to Eli'sha, "Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you." And Eli'sha said, "I pray you, let me inherit a double share of your spirit." 10 And he said, "You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if you do not see me, it shall not be so."
2 Kings 2:11 And as they still went on and talked, behold, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Eli'jah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 12 And Eli'sha saw it and he cried, "My father, my father! the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!" And he saw him no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and rent them in two pieces.
**Verses 13-14 Elisha picks up the mantle, a metaphor for continuing the work and responsibility of Elijah. He calls upon God and crosses back over the Jordan.
2 Kings 2:13 And he took up the mantle of Eli'jah that had fallen from him, and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. 14 Then he took the mantle of Eli'jah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, saying, "Where is the LORD, the God of Eli'jah?" And when he had struck the water, the water was parted to the one side and to the other; and Eli'sha went over.
He goes on to purify the water at Jericho, and to cause 42 mocking boys to be destroyed by she-bears. Forty-two is a number associated with man’s work apart from God, anti-christ, and departure from God’s statutes.
Do you think that Elisha represents believers who are not raptured because they were dismissive of rapture warnings, even though they knew it would eventually happen?
For those of you who ask, "I thought the restrainer leaves before Tribulation?" The way I understand it, the restrainer DOES leave with us. However, Elijah's mantle is what had the power to stop the flow of the Jordan - telling us is was the Holy Spirit. And the mantle went UP with him. But then, it came back down, and Elisha used it to stop the flow of the Jordan again. I believe this is the picture of the Holy Spirit coming back down to give the "double portion" to those who understand the rapture has taken place and accept Christ.
The word for "see" in verse 10 has multiple meanings, not just the physical act of looking. It also means perceive, ascertain, or comprehend.
And is it possible that the two warning signs, though not mentioned, could be the final super-moons of 2019. The first in January, the second in February, and the third in March? But the prophets don't warn Elisha the third time. Could it be because they're already gone?
Would it be a comfort to you to know that a double portion of the Spirit was yours, knowing that you'd be here through tribulation?
Eyes up!
whoa! good catch, Julie!! i Love it! 2 warnings and then silence...and those who are watching and waiting go in! this is sooo good! i'm sure if it was me and i was left, i'd be in shock for who knows how long?? but to know the Lord's favor is extended to me even once again?? what mercy and grace! and much needed, for now i will truly be sold out to Him and need His favor to stand and live for Him.
ReplyDeleteIt is also interesting the 50 observed but didn't "see" the rapture of Elijah, to them he just disappeared, or went missing. Consequently, they pressured Elisha into sending out men to search for Elijah.
ReplyDeleteYour comment
ReplyDelete"Do you think that Elisha represents believers who are not raptured because they were dismissive of rapture warnings, even though they knew it would eventually happen?"
I think you may be right. So many believers are so dismissive of any rapture warnings, it grieves my soul to think so many may be left behind. But I thank you for showing us that they may be bestowed a double portion of the Holy Spirit to guide them through those troublesome times.
With the double portion, it seems as though those believers left behind will receive the power the prophets of old had in the Old Testament, as the Age of Grace draws to a close and the tribulation begins. It does seem to picture God's grace providing protection to those left behind.
ReplyDeleteThey may be able to ward off the attacks of the angels cast out of Heaven and those released from the bottomless pit.
Amen, Luke 21:36. I thought about the witnesses knowing, but not seeing, and wondered who they could be that know, but don't see. Perhaps these are the Israelites who know the Torah, but who don't believe in Yeshua? It's an interesting question to consider!
Delete
ReplyDeleteUntil you pointed out the Elijah/ Elisha scripture I had subscribed to the "all Christians will be raptured" theory, but I had an uncomfortable feeling in my spirit about it.
Thank you for your insight.
This year I'm looking at Nisan 10,, again. However, what calendar? There are so many and each has their own merits,,, but looking at scripture and the simplicity of the equinox as being the start of the new year or Nisan 1, Maybe March 30th or Nisan 10 may be the day Paul spoke of.
After all, it was a very special day! A day Jesus waited to proclaim Himself the Messiah, and equally as special, it was the day the Israelites finally entered the Promised land.
What day in the last 2000 years could be more special than Jesus return for the body of Christ?
Julie, I'd like to hear your thoughts on this YouTube video. My thoughts have always included a Pentecost rapture, but this year I`m excited.
ReplyDeleteCheck this one out; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eh0YeYTLjs8
GB.
Hi Luke 21:36! Thank you for the shared link. I have been "watching" closely since late August 2017, when the Lord woke me up, and have seen many promising dates come and go. I, too was a Nisan 10 thinker for a while because of the obvious Joshua/Jordan Crossing parallel.
ReplyDeleteBut before I saw that in scripture, I felt God telling me "First Fruits." But I had no idea that Pentecost was the feast of the Harvest of First Fruits. That's amazing. It makes sense that the harvest would begin around the waving of the sheaves by the Priest, then conclude with the waving of the loaves - the final product!
There are several examples of things starting/stopping on the very same day, years apart - such as the entry and exit from Egypt. That is a very compelling reason for Pentecost, to be sure.
And, as for timing, I really do feel we'll be gone before the 70 years is up. I'm also very excited about this year. Maranatha!
Yes Julie,the waving of the unleavened loaves representing the gentiles may be very telling.
ReplyDeleteIt's very interesting this Pentecost, on May12th, is just prior to Israel's 71st birthday on the 14th.
A sister in Christ has a blog about these loaves and the significance. Check out the shape at the bottom of this news article:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.breakingisraelnews.com/41273/jewish-priests-perform-pentecost-temple-service-fulfillment-biblical-prophecy-jerusalem/
And, on her blog:
https://thelambswife.blogspot.com/2018/03/032118-what-is-it-challenge.html?fbclid=IwAR1FKAQqs6d5uDy_gMWlGWISlhxuOJjJf56tzsuaIvSDUiwnvnmVd0eEpQg
Leavened loaves, sorry I meant "leavened" to represent the sin of the Gentiles.
ReplyDeleteThere is so much more to Pentecost such as early rabbinical teachings that suggest Enoch was born and translated on that very day. No proof, but interesting the Jews teach that as well as King David?
Chuck Missler and Gary Stearman both were cautiously suggesting Pentecost as a date to "watch" Here is a short summary of Missler's. http://www.khouse.org/articles/1994/101/