2 Kings 2:1 - "And it came to pass, when the Lord would take up Elijah into Heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha to Gilgal." Have you read this amazing story of the home going of Elijah?
This has been a season of grief's impacts, unplanned epitaphs and tear covered obituaries among the Kingdom of men. The question seems to haunt the souls of men ... What security proof and satisfying connection is there between these sorrowful events and the provision of eternity? Or to put it simply How can we know for sure our loved one is in Heaven?... So many times I hear sorrow filled lips spout out, "well at least they are not suffering any longer" , but then I gaze into the windows of their soul and find little solace there because of that lingering question ... Can we really know for sure?..
Through some of details of the story of Elijah's departure, let me take your heart on a journey that hopefully will give us direction in our lives that enriches the few moments that we have that we call "our lives".
It was Elijah's last day! Elisha (the up and coming replacement for the office of Prophet) would stay with Elijah on Elijah's last walk. Though ridiculed by the other prophets (because everyone knew it was the day that Elijah would be taken up by God in a whirlwind), Elisha was determined not leave his master's side on his last day. At the end of this "beyond emotional" ordeal Elisha would have a "Double Dose" of Elijah's spirit for the rest of his life.
FIRST: Let's Watch the movement through the literal meaning of the names of the towns related to Elijah's last day --
1. From Gilgal (meaning "The Wheel" - the turning mechanism - the first encampment by Joshua in the promised land) There is point in all of out lives, like a crossroad, where the thought of eternity becomes a draw or desire to know - Is it real and what secures my home in Heaven -- Jesus is drawing us to Him?;
2. To Bethel (meaning "House of God" - the Place where Jacob received his new name' "Israel", after a wrestling match with the Angel of the Lord) This may be that moment where we truly try to call out to a personal God, not letting go until we know it is OK - and that encounter changes our life forever -- Jesus is securing us as His;
3. To Jericho (meaning "it's moon" - going "to the moon" could not have been any more impressive than the battle of Jericho - memories of a shout and a miraculous decent of impassible, unscalable walls -- first miraculous battle conquest in the promised land by the children of Israel ) Once we have secured that relationship through faith in Christ - we will know miracles, though some would think that we are crazy, but Jesus loves us extravagantly;
4. Then finally to the Jordan ("the Descender" - the dividing line for every conquest, this river would be where the "next" movement would happen. This little muddy stream of a river, except in flood season when it would overflow its banks, was the center of many a Bible - Change. Facing death will change every one of us ... but will we let it be a God change - For Jesus will never leave us nor abandon us.
SECOND: The Jordan -- It was so amazing that this was where the dividing would take place -- both Elijah and Elisha would experience the same miracle. With a slap of Elijah's mantel on the waters edge they would both walk a dry path across the Jordan River. Both Elijah and Elisha would be parted by a flaming Chariot. Both would be changed at that moment, but Elijah was caught up to God in a whirlwind while Elisha would walk alone with God in the days ahead with a double portion of the Spirit of Elijah(God's Spirit).
THIRD: We all will come face to face with the separation caused by death and dying. We will all experience the loss of a loved one. Many Believers and unbelievers alike will face the unavoidable appointment with death ... and there is no real comfort there, unless the Real Comforter is there. Death is real but for the believer it is just a shadow.
"And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this ... The judgement: so Christ was once offered to bear the sin of many, and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation." Hebrews 9:27
Faith can be as deep as we need it or as shallow as we can handle it - but the childhood promise that can't be overdone unless it is done out of mockery or quackery stands forever to comfort us ... if we will allow it -- John 3:16 - "FOR GOD so loved the world, that HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON ... that WHOSOEVER ... BELIEVES on HIM, shall not perish, but HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE." Believe on Him, JESUS.
Some will want to scrutinize faith at the most inopportune times -- like at the death of a loved one. The whispers of Hell will want to rob us of hope by throwing out death-lines of doubt causing us to question that the one that has passed was "GOOD ENOUGH?", "CLOSE ENOUGH?", "CLEAN ENOUGH?", "FORGIVEN ENOUGH?", "TRULY SAVED?" ....
Think about this nugget of faith -- "He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His Name." John 1:11,12 ...
HEAVEN depends on the ONE
Who is good enough,
Who is close enough,
Who is clean enough
-- with Power to Forgive and Power to Save.
JESUS IS OUR ASSURANCE. JESUS IS OUR PROOF.
HLFA,
Jeff
"Jesus Wept." John 11:35 ---- This line was recorded in scripture because Jesus' tears were so different than the tears of men fake and real at the funeral of Jesus' friend Lazarus.
... If He was to look at your life ... would He find faith there or would He shed tears for His loss of you.
Look again at the picture attached --- Except you become as a little child ....Believe!!!