In the last devotion we talked about the man Enoch who was taken from this earth by God and did not experience a earthly death. However he is not the only one who has escaped death itself. That person is Elijah.
VERSE PASSAGE: 2 Kings 2:11 “As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.” – NIV
In my opinion Elijah is perhaps one of the most powerful of God’s prophets in the Old Testament.
Elijah was a fierce prophet and one to be reckoned with. During his time on earth he defended the worship of God, rose people from the dead, and led a school called “the Sons of the Prophets”.
He was thought by some to be the Messiah which is why in the New Testament John The Baptist is mistaken as the Messiah Elijah. Due to a Malachi verse which talks about Elijah’s return. Elijah also appears with Moses at the transfiguration of Jesus.
Elijah was a strong willed prophet, blunt and straight to the point. Elijah lived in Israel during the reign of Ahab and Jezebel. And these two did not worship God but instead worshipped Baal.
In a heated battle with the Baal prophets, Elijah challenges the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah. The challenge ends with Elijah the victor.
Later on Elijah is confronted by 3 groups of soldiers that Ahaziah has sent to arrest Elijah. The first two groups are destroyed by fire that Elijah called down from Heaven.
That is only two of many things that took place in his time.
Elijah in his last day was taken up by a chariot on a whirlwind of fire. The only person to catch this amazing event was Elisha who was given a double portion of Elijah’s anointing.
Why did God take Enoch and Elijah? The Bible does not specifically give us the answer. Some believe it was because of their great faithfulness and obedience to God that they were sparred from death. However others including myself believe that these two were taken in preparation as the two witnesses in Revelation 11:3-12.
Even though we do not know why they were taken or what the exact plan is we can be assured that God’s plan and meaning for this is perfect.
God bless!
Copyright © 2018 by Jacob D. Olinger
Spirit Warrior Ministry 