2 Kings 2:1-15 Where is the LORD God of Elijah?
I. It Was a Time of Watching -
1 And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.
(a) Watching For a Precious Event -
1 when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven Elijah knew -
Where He was Going, When He was Going, Why He was Going -
The LORD would take up Elijah - God's Will, God's Word, God's Way.
He and Enoch Alone - would be translated into heaven.
1 Thess 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
His Coming is :- Personnal - For the Lord himself
Powerful - shall descend from heaven with a shout
Punctual with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God
Practical - and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Pivotal - 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds,
Paramount - 17 to meet the Lord in the air:
Permanent - and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Precious - 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
(b) Watching For a Promised Event - everyone knew it was coming. i. The sons of the prophets knew - 3 And the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day?
ii. Elisha knew - 3 And he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.
iii. Elijah knew - 9 And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. - So it is with Christ's return - Declared
(c) Watching For a Private Event - no one knew when it would come
Matt 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. 44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
2. It Was a Time of Walking - 2 And Elijah said unto Elisha,
Tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Bethel.
(a) The Purpose in the Walk - for the LORD hath sent me
(b) The Progress in the Walk - 1 Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal
2 for the LORD hath sent me to Bethel - 4 - to Jericho. 6 - to Jordan.
i. Gilgal - was the place of beginnings - Israel's first camp in Canaan
ii. Bethel - was a holy place (House of God) (Jacob's Dream)
iii. Jericho - was the place of Victory iv. Jordan - was the place of Rest
the river Jordan marked the end of their wilderness wanderings.
iii. The People in the Walk - 2 So they went down to Bethel.
4 they came to Jericho. 6 they two went on. 7 two stood by Jordan
I won't have to cross Jordan alone, Jesus died all my sins to atone
In the darkness I see, He'll be waiting for me,
I won't have to cross Jordan alone
3. It Was a Time of Waiting - He Is Still -
(a) Trusting - 8 And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground.
(b) Training - 9 let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.
(c) Traveling - 11 And it came to pass, as they still went on,
4. It Was a Time of Witnessing - 14 And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters,
they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over. 15 And 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.
