讀經： 列王紀下二章1至3節、6至14節 1耶和華要用旋風接以利亞升天的時候，以利亞與以利沙從吉甲前往。 2以利亞對以利沙說：耶和華差我往伯特利去，你可以在這裡等候。以利沙說：我指著永生的耶和華，又敢在你面前起誓，我必不離開你。於是二人下到伯特利。 3住伯特利的先知門徒出來見以利沙，對他說：耶和華今日要接你的師傅離開你，你知道不知道？他說：我知道，你們不要作聲。 6以利亞對以利沙說：耶和華差遣我往約但河去，你可以在這裡等候。以利沙說：我指著永生的耶和華，又敢在你面前起誓，我必不離開你。於是二人一同前往。 7有先知門徒去了五十人，遠遠地站在他們對面；二人在約但河邊站住。 8以利亞將自己的外衣捲起來，用以打水，水就左右分開，二人走乾地而過。 9過去之後，以利亞對以利沙說：我未曾被接去離開你，你要我為你做甚麼，只管求我。以利沙說：願感動你的靈加倍地感動我。 10以利亞說：你所求的難得。雖然如此，我被接去離開你的時候，你若看見我，就必得著；不然，必得不著了。 11他們正走著說話，忽有火車火馬將二人隔開，以利亞就乘旋風升天去了。 12以利沙看見，就呼叫說：我父啊！我父啊！以色列的戰車馬兵啊！以後不再見他了。於是以利沙把自己的衣服撕為兩片。 13他拾起以利亞身上掉下來的外衣，回去站在約但河邊。 14他用以利亞身上掉下來的外衣打水，說：耶和華─以利亞的神在哪裡呢？打水之後，水也左右分開，以利沙就過來了。 |
Bible Reading: 2 Kings 2:1-3 and 6-14 1 And it came to pass, when the LORD was about to take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. 2 Then Elijah said to Elisha, "Stay here, please, for the LORD has sent me on to Bethel."
But Elisha said, "As the LORD lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you!" So they went down to Bethel. 3 Now the sons of the prophets who were at Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, "Do you know that the LORD will take away your master from over you today?"
And he said, "Yes, I know; keep silent!" 6 Then Elijah said to him, "Stay here, please, for the LORD has sent me on to the Jordan."
But he said, "As the LORD lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you!" So the two of them went on. 7 And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went and stood facing them at a distance, while the two of them stood by the Jordan. 8 Now Elijah took his mantle, rolled it up, and struck the water; and it was divided this way and that, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground. 9 And so it was, when they had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, "Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?"
Elisha said, "Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me." 10 So he said, "You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so." 11 Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 12 And Elisha saw it, and he cried out, "My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!" So he saw him no more. And he took hold of his own clothes and tore them into two pieces. 13 He also took up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and went back and stood by the bank of the Jordan. 14 Then he took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, and said, "Where is the LORD God of Elijah?" And when he also had struck the water, it was divided this way and that; and Elisha crossed over. |
| HOME FOR EVERMORE When a believer in Christ is called away, he or she goes "Home for evermore". That must be a wonderful experience. For those who are left behind, there is great comfort in knowing we will see our loved ones again. The doorway we call "death" will one day open for each of us too and we will be with Christ forever. Elijah had a different experience. It was unusual in so many ways. It is obvious that God told Elijah it was time to come home. But God also told Elisha and the prophets at both Bethel and Jericho that this was the day of Elijah's departure (vv.3 , 5). Why was God calling Elijah away? Wasn't he needed? The people were still not following the Lord as they should. Yet God was taking home the most powerful and prominent prophet of that time. It is not always easy to understand God's ways. We can only say it was God's time for Elijah, and God had Elisha ready to replace him. No one is indispensable. This is one of the best illustrations in the Bible of what is going to happen to a whole generation of Christians when Christ comes the second time. What a moment that will be! Instead of one man being taken, thousands and thousands, even millions will go. First there will be the Resurrection of the bodies of believers. Their souls will come from heaven with Christ and a new body will come from earth for each of them (1 Th 4:16). It will be instantaneous. Then there will be instant rapture for those believers alive, when Christ comes. Even as they are caught up, their bodies will be instantly changed (1 Th 4:17). These earthly bodies would not suit the environment of heaven. They will be changed so that they will last for eternity. What a day that will be! Would you be ready if Christ should come today? If he should call you today? Are you ready? If you have never accepted Christ, why not do it now? |
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