40.
Elisha, what are you seeking? What is your purpose in demanding so strongly to follow me? What can I do for you before I am taken away? 2 Kings 2:9 Elisha had proven his devotion and great desire to follow Elijah every where and anywhere. He was not without a spiritual goal in mind. It was not a case of blindly following a leader. Elisha knew what he wanted and asked for it when given the opportunity. His desire was to have a double portion of the Spirit. An anointing which was to be applied in an unlimited measure. There are twice as many recorded miracles from Elisha’s ministry as there are from Elijah’s. He wanted the fullness of the power of the Lord manifest in his work and ministry. There is a like portion of the fullness of the Spirit for this end of the age. Eph. 1:23.
The request was not an easy one to satisfy. The anointing was not Elijah’s to give, nor was he called upon to appoint his successor. That anointing was to be passed on to a man with a vision. If you see me. A true revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ will produce a consecration and a dedication of which the end result is a divine anointing. The whole of Elijah’s future hung on one thing, seeing Elijah’s departure. I would venture to say that he did not remove his eyes from him. 2 Kings 2:10 The two of them walked together. Both having the same pattern of life. Elisha walking in the shadow of Elijah while keeping him in his full sight. He was determined to have an anointed ministry to the glory of the Lord. As they walked they communicated one with the other. Could it be that their conversation centered on the anointing? It was certainly uppermost in the eyes of Elisha.
The moment of their parting and the exit of Elijah arrived, and it was spectacular. Imagine horses of fire and a chariot of fire. Elisha later was to pray that the eyes of the young servant be opened that he might see the protection of the Lord around and about them. When they were opened he saw the mountain was full of the chariots and the horses of fire sent by the Lord.
2 Kings 6:17 Elisha’s answer was, those who be for us are more than those who are against us. The Lord chose to manifest His glorious power and might following the warfare of that day. The chariot and horses were the tanks of that day and were feared. The Lord is not keeping a stable in heaven. He may manifest Himself or His power in any way or form that He would want to choose.
Elijah was carried into heaven by the whirlwind. To Ezekiel the Lord revealed Himself in a mighty whirlwind coming out of the north. Eze. 1:4 Job heard the voice of the Lord out of the whirlwind. Job 40:6 The Lord escorted Elijah into heaven in the very vortex of His strength and Spiritual energy. 2 Kings 2:10 The mantel, the anointing of Elijah became the mantel of Elisha even as the mantel of Christ has been passed on to the church.