Introduction
Caution: We are not talking about “Grave Sucking” – the act of lying across the physical grave of a deceased preacher or evangelist for the purpose of “pulling out” the power of the Holy Spirit, a power that was purportedly “trapped” within the body upon the person’s death.
Quote: Bill Johnson says in the book Physics of Heaven, “There are anointings, mantles, revelations, and mysteries that have lain unclaimed, literally where they were left, because the generation that walked in them never passed them on. I believe it’s possible for us to recover realms of anointing, realms of insight, realms of God that have been untended for decades simply by choosing to reclaim and perpetuate them for future generations.” (quoted by Judy Franklin and Ellyn Davis in The Physics of Heaven: Exploring the Mysteries of God in Sound, Light, Energy, Vibrations, and Quantum Physics, Chapter 4: “Recovering Our Spiritual Inheritance,” Shippensburg, Penn.: Destiny Image Publishers, Inc., 2012).
I. Defining & Identifying Mantles (A Mantle is different than an Anointing)
A. Mantle – The Hebrew word for mantle is ‘addereth” meaning – glory, cloak, glory, splendour, magnificence (of a vine, shepherds), mantle, cloak made of fur or fine material prophet’s garment, robe.
See (1 Kings 19:13 1 Kings 19:19; 2 Kings 2:8; 2 Kings 2:13) Worn by Elijah.
1. What comes with a mantle? Power, Position, Authority, Protection & Respect
B. Anointing – The Hebrew word is Mashiyach meaning – anointed, anointed one of the Messiah, Messianic prince of the king of Israel of the high priest of Israel; of Cyrus, of the patriarchs as anointed kings.
1. We know that King Saul was wearing the mantle of King. We also know that David was also anointed King before King Saul died.
• David had the anointing to be King, but Saul had the mantle.
• Elisha was anointed to be the prophet of the land, but Elijah had the mantle.
• Prince Charles was anointed to be the Sovereign of the UK, but Queen Elizabeth had the mantle.
2. You can have an anointing to do something, but someone else is wearing the mantle.
II. Spiritual laws govern the use of Mantles and Anointings.
A. When Aaron and Miriam complained and criticized Moses for his interracial marriage, only Miriam was cursed with leprosy. Why not Aaron?
1. There is no “Moses’ sister” mantle.
2. Aaron, however, carried the Chief Priests Mantle.
3. Aaron passed the mantle to Eleazar before entering the promised land.
B. Moses disobeyed God by “striking the rock.”
1. Even though he disobeyed, he still had the mantle to lead the Children of Israel to the Promised Land, so the water flowed...
2. The results of a person’s ministry are no indication that they’re right with God.
C. King Saul’s “Kingly anointing” was passed to David in I Samuel 15, but Saul kept on reigning until his death because he still carried the “mantle.”
1. He reigned with the authority of the mantle but was void of the anointing.
2. Leaders can lead ministries under the authority of a “leadership mantle” but be void of the anointing. (The presence of a crowd is only success in a worldly culture. Success is measured differently in the Kingdom!)
III. The Journey – II. Kings 2:1-14 (Gilgal, Bethel, Jericho, Jordan)
A. Gilgal (2:1)
1. Place of encampment
2. Place of remembrance
3. Remember the former days
4. Behold, I will do a new thing
B. Bethel (2:2)
1. Place of spiritual dreams (Jacob’s ladder)
2. Wrestling with destiny
3. Meaning – House of God or the gate of heaven
C. Jericho (2:4)
1. Rhoda and the scarlet cord
2. Obedience (once a day for seven days, seven times on the seventh day)
3. Insurmountable walls fell flat
D. Jordan (2:6)
1. God parted the waters proving to Israel THE MANTLE HAD PASSED from Moses to Joshua.
2. Double portion on display for Elisha
3. Transfer of the Mantle (2:12-15)
IV. Mantles for Modern Times
A. There is a revival mantle in the earth today.
1. God has no grandchildren. (There are no “biological anointings.”)
2. Mantles are given by God.
B. The corporate mantle for the Church is the Holy Spirit. (The Messianic Mantle)
1. Read: Acts 2:14-21
Closing:
The Mantle of Revival
