Don Graham Revival Ministries

"Arriving Home in a Blaze of Glory"

II Kings 2:1-14

The mighty prophet Elijah called his nation to solemn assembly at Mt. Carmel and saw there the fire fall from heaven. As the sacrifice was consumed and the water licked up, the nation fell in repentance before God. In a few short days the beleaguered prophet found himself hiding in a cave only to discover that God does not always appear in the spectacular, such as fire, but more often in a still small voice.

But now on the occasion of his home-going he is caught up in a chariot of fire and ushered into the presence of God. Oh, what a way to leave! What a way to arrive!...in a blaze of glory! Note:

I. The Division that Surrounded His Days (vs. 1-7)

All of Elijah's days were spent with divisions swirling around him. King Ahab despised and feared him thinking he was the one that troubled Israel. At Mt. Carmel he called for separation for the people of God and quickly divided them as he challenged them, How long halt ye between two opinions? He created great division with Ahab's son, Ahaziah, who purported to seek medical help and advice from beyond the borders of Israel that resulted in fire falling upon one hundred of his soldiers and consuming them. (II Kings 1) Now on the final day of his amazing journey in life he is still a dividing force. The sons of the prophets know that this is the day. They choose to view the amazing scene from afar (v.7) while Elisha pressed on, refusing to turn back, clinging tenaciously to his mentor. He saw up close the chariot of fire and the horses of fire descend from heaven, swooping down between the men, parting them both asunder and welcoming aboard their guest of honor as they sped homeward rapidly leaving behind a group of young preachers filled with regrets and confusion. So was our blessed Lord the most divisive force in human history. Hear Him, / came not to send peace, but a sword...and a man's foes shall be they of his own household! (Matthew 10:35-36) When the divisive Lord reigns supreme in your life people around you will be forced also to decide where they will stand when the line is drawn in the sand.

II. The Confirmation that Marked His Days (vs. 8-10)

How instructive to see that Elijah's last days, last hours and last minutes, right up to the end, are spent further mentoring his young disciple, Elisha. Throughout the journey of that last day he goes on pouring his life into his young protege, mentoring him, faithfully preparing him for that ministry about to be thrust upon him. So it was with the Apostle Paul who in prison, approaching the end of his career, sits down and writes his last epistle, II Timothy, to his young son in the faith. One can do no better than to find a faithful man to disciple, who shall be able to teach others also. (II Timothy 2:2)

Amid the final instructions, Elisha is asked by Elijah to make a request. Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah's spirit to rest upon him. (v.9) Elisha had learned his lesson well! He knew what his greatest need was— enduement of the power of the Spirit. What would you have asked for should you have been in his place? Many a modern preacher would have asked for a larger church, bigger staff, TV exposure, everything but the one thing he needs most—power with God and power with man. It's not new programs that we need, not the tweaking of old methods. What we need, yea, must it and enabling power of the Spirit of God resting upon all that we are and all that we Elisha's request was a hard thing, (v.10) Oh, that we'd start making hard requests of God-bold praying with bold requests. God specializes in doing the impossible and delights to hear His children ask for hard things. Treat Him like a King in your asking and He will treat you like a king in His giving!

III. The Translation that Closed His Days (vs. 11-14)

Elijah had seen the fire of revival fall miraculously at Mt. Carmel. Now one last time this side of glory he will encounter that Fire as it envelopes the chariot and horsemen. What a sight! Now that's the way to live Umm! That's the way to die!Immediately Elisha will test the waters. He picks up Elijah's mantle, returns to the edge of Jordan and waves it while exclaiming. Where is the Lord God of Elijah?(v14) Instantly, the waters parted hither and thither (v.14) and Elisha passed over. The world cries ont to us. Where is the Lord God of Elijah? And we sheepishly and impishly show them a new style of worship or a more convenient time of worship rather than the splitting of the river! Oh, that's what the world needs to see. Not until they do will they bow down and say, The Lord, He is the God. A powerless church with a powerless pulpit and pew tries in vain today to replicate that power with entertainment, methodology and feel good philosophy and watered down theology. It frantically waves the mantle but nothing ever happens.

Oh, dear God, drive us to desperation, drive us to our knees, drive us to Yourself and may we bend long enough at the foot of the Cross that broken we will rise with resurrection power to offer our sin cursed generation. Do it again, Lord! Do it again!!!