Daniel 2:37 – Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of Heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory.
Revelations 1:6 – And hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
I know it is the dream of Godly parents, to somehow pass on a life to their children that will be blessed of God. We want our kids saved and serving God in whatever capacity He sees best for them. This was such an intense desire for my Mother, that she prayed (while my siblings and I were still forming in her womb) that God would take us before birth if there was any chance we would reject Him in life and end up it Hell.
I have watched Pastors trying to prep their sons and daughters for the ministry, and have seen many brokenhearted and discouraged in their later days when their children didn't measure up to the necessary attributes needed to fill the office. It was as if the Pastor was failing because his kids didn't follow his footsteps. The tension that this has put in some families is just not right, it is not of God.
The Biblical account of Elijah and Elisha oven the centuries has been held out as a case study in the “passing of the Mantle”. This phrase “passing the mantle” has become a buzz word in some fellowships. Some groups will use other terms such as “God's calling” or a “call to the ministry” or “God's Will”. And we love throwing around titles such as Prophet and Apostle to designate God's hand on someone. Very dangerous.
Passing a mantle ... picking up a mantle ... I have observed this within the Kingdom since my new birth in 1973. Those with a thirst and passion to serve Jesus want the mantle to fall on them. Kingdom seekers would love to be part of the next big movement or to be near the next anointed leader. As God allows it ...it is beautiful no matter what it is called; but as we force it, flaunt it, religious-size it and institutionalize it, literally, the mantle gets lost in the shuffle. The Elijah and Elisha mantle is only spoken of in the Old Testament 12 times and the word seems to get lost in our studies of the New Testament (maybe because we miss the obvious). The mantle was the outward “symbol covering” that identified the splendor and glory of the prophet's relationship and connection to God.
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. And we beheld His Glory, the Glory as of the only begotten of the Father; full of grace and truth.” John 1:14
When Jesus, through the Power of His Holy Spirit, has the hearts, minds, wills, strength and ears of His Kids ... the Mantle , the Glory, the Splendor is given in abundance to all who desire. The key to this glory is found in Jesus' words in John 13:35 "By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if YOU HAVE LOVE ONE TO ANOTHER". What an outward mark, sign, symbol, covering … this is the New Testament Mantle which we should desire for it is the “better way”, it is the “greatest of these”. This is the Mantle that shows the splendor and glory of our relationship and our connection with Jesus in this age and in the next. The struggle for discernment and authority is abated when we realize His glory is found in His love for the Father, for us, through us, to each other, and to others. Let the power of His Love fall on us.
HLFA,
Jeff