Don't Be Left Behind
2 Kings 2:2 says, “And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Bethel. And Elisha said unto him, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Bethel.”
The prophet Elijah knew that he was about to be taken by the Lord “into heaven by a whirlwind” (v. 1). This was a great privilege that was also given to Enoch, who was taken by God without passing through physical death (Gen 5:24). This is something that could also happen to God’s children at a future event called the rapture, when “we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air” (1 Thes 4:17). It could happen at any moment (1 Cor 15:52), when Jesus comes again! If we are still alive, then we shall be taken up into heaven without experiencing physical death.
This is a very exciting moment (Rev 22:20). That was the precious event that Elijah was anticipating. If you have trusted Jesus as your Lord and Saviour by faith (Heb 12:2), then you should also be looking forward to this glorious event! It seems that both “the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel” knew (v. 3), and Elisha knew (v. 4), that this event will happen. It was not something that was a secret. They heard about it and they were all prepared.
This should be the same attitude that every believer should have regarding the return of our Lord Jesus (Mt 24:44). It is not something that was hidden. Jesus said that He “will come again” (Jn 14:3). Numerous prophecies have been recorded in the Bible about our Lord’s return. Therefore, there is no excuse that this would take anyone by surprise. We should always be ready by always watching and praying (Mk 13:33). If you are lost and don’t know where you will go when you die. Then you need to trust Jesus alone as your Saviour by faith (Rom 10:9). Don’t be left behind! God bless you!
- Pastor Melito Barrera
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