EGW Writings2 Kings 2

Heaven

Chapter 11—Some Are Already in Heaven

Hvn 102.2

Elijah—“And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.” See 2 Kings 2:1-11.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Ms 114, 1901

16LtMs, Ms 114, 1901, par. 4

“It came to pass, when the Lord would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. And Elijah said to Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the Lord hath sent me to Bethel. And Elisha said to him, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Bethel.” [2 Kings 2:1, 2.] At Bethel and at [Jericho] Elijah said to him again, “Tarry here, I pray thee,” and again Elisha replied, “As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee.” [Verses 4, 6.] He would not be parted from his master. He must learn all he possibly could from Elijah before he was taken away from him.

16LtMs, Ms 114, 1901, par. 5

“And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.” [Verse 9.] He did not ask for worldly honor, for a high place among the great men of the earth. That for which he craved was a double portion of the spirit given to the one God was about to honor with translation. He knew that nothing but a double portion of the spirit that had rested on Elijah could fit him to fill the place Elijah had filled, because Elijah had the experience and wisdom of age which cannot by any method be imparted to the young.

16LtMs, Ms 114, 1901, par. 7

In response to Elisha’s request, Elijah answered, “Thou hast asked a hard thing; nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so. And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more; and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces. He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan; and he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the Lord God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither; and Elisha went over.” [Verses 10-14.]

Prophets and Kings

Chapter 17—The Call of Elisha

PK 227.1

In response to this request, Elijah said, “Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so. And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.” See 2 Kings 2:1-11.

PK 228.2

“And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces. He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan; and he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the Lord God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over. And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The Spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.” 2 Kings 2:12-15.

Conflict and Courage

Elijah’s Successor, August 5

CC 223.1

Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 1 Corinthians 15:51, 52.

CC 223.2

In the desert, in loneliness and discouragement, Elijah had said that he had had enough of life and had prayed that he might die. But the Lord in His mercy had not taken him at his word. There was yet a great work for Elijah to do; and when his work was done, he was not to perish in discouragement and solitude. Not for him the descent into the tomb, but the ascent with God’s angels to the presence of His glory.

CC 223.3

“And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces. He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan; and he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the Lord God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over. And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The Spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.”

CC 223.4

When the Lord in His providence sees fit to remove from His work those to whom He has given wisdom, He helps and strengthens their successors, if they will look to Him for aid and will walk in His ways. They may be even wiser than their predecessors; for they may profit by their experience and learn wisdom from their mistakes.6Ibid., 228.

CC 223.5

Elijah, the man of power, had been God’s instrument for the overthrow of gigantic evils.... As successor to Elijah was needed one who by careful, patient instruction could guide Israel in safe paths. For this work Elisha’s early training under God’s direction had prepared him....

CC 223.6

Every act of life is a revelation of character, and he only who in small duties proves himself “a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,” will be honored by God with weightier trusts.7Education, 60, 61.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Lt 12, 1897

12LtMs, Lt 12, 1897, par. 26

“And the sons of the prophets which were at Jericho came to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Lord will take away thy Master from thy head today? And he answered, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace. And Elijah said unto him, Tarry, I pray thee, here; for the Lord hath sent me to Jordan. And he said, As the Lord liveth and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they two went on. And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went and stood to view afar off: and they two stood by Jordan. And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground.” [2 Kings 2:1-8.]

12LtMs, Lt 12, 1897, par. 28

“And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariots of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more; and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces. He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back and stood by the Jordan; and he took the mantle of Elijah which fell from him and smote the water, and said, Where is the Lord God of Elijah? And when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither; and Elisha went over. And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The Spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the earth before him.” [2 Kings 2:9-15.]

12LtMs, Lt 12, 1897, par. 30

At every place that Elisha tarried with Elijah, he was given an opportunity to separate from him. “Tarry here, I pray thee,” said Elijah: “for the Lord hath sent me to Bethel.” [Verse 2.] Thus Elisha’s faith was tried at every point. But by ploughing in the field, Elisha had learned the lesson of not allowing failure or discouragement to be entertained. He had now set his hand to the plough in another line of work, and he would not fail nor be discouraged. Every time the invitation to turn back was given, he declared, “As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee.” [Verse 2.]

12LtMs, Lt 12, 1897, par. 32

There was a school of the prophets at Gilgal and also at Bethel, Jericho and Jordan: and the sons of the prophets came out to meet Elijah and Elisha. They asked Elisha, “Knowest thou not that thy Lord will take away thy master from thy head today?” And he said, “Yea, I know it. Hold ye your peace.” [Verse 3.]

12LtMs, Lt 12, 1897, par. 33

Again [Elijah] said, “Tarry here, I pray thee; for the Lord hath sent me to Jericho. And Elisha said As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho. And the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho came to Elisha and said unto him, Knowest thou not that the Lord will take away thy master from thy head today. And he answered, Yea, I know it: hold ye your peace. Elijah said to him, Tarry I pray thee here; for the Lord hath sent me to Jordan.” Again were the words repeated, “As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee.” [Verses 4-6.]

12LtMs, Lt 12, 1897, par. 35

As they came to the Jordan, Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and the waters parted, and they two went over. Elijah favored Elisha by asking him, “Ask what I will do for thee before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so.” [Verses 9, 10.]

12LtMs, Lt 12, 1897, par. 36

“They still went on, and as they talked, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven, and Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more; and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces. He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan, and he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from Him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the Lord God of Elijah? And when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither, and Elisha went over. And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha, and they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.” [Verses 11-15.]

12LtMs, Lt 12, 1897, par. 39

Manmade theories are placed above a plain “Thus saith the Lord.” But the searching of the soul has come. Are we obedient to the law of God? Will every soul look up in faith, and answer to God, as did Elisha, “As the Lord liveth, I will not leave thee”? [2 Kings 2:2.] Whatever may come—persecution, reproach, falsehood, or anything that shall arise, we will not leave the source of our strength. We <are to> be proved and tried as in a furnace. Those who endure to the end will be saved. If our religious faith is spurious, it is of no manner of value.

Reflecting Christ

Elisha Demonstrates Steadfastness, November 18

RC 336.1

And Elijah said unto him [Elisha], Tarry, I pray thee, here; for the Lord hath sent me to Jordan. And he said, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. 2 Kings 2:6.

RC 336.6

As time passed, and Elijah prepared for translation, so Elisha was prepared to become his successor. And again his faith and resolution were tested. Accompanying Elijah in his round of service, ... he was at each place invited by the prophet to turn back.... As often as the invitation to turn back was given, his answer was, “As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee” (2 Kings 2:2).... For this work Elisha’s early training under God’s direction had prepared him.—Education, 58-61.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 1 (1844 - 1868)

Ms 8, 1859

1LtMs, Ms 8, 1859, par. 24

Brother White preached in the p.m. on the work, the success of the three messages. He was clear and free in his discourse. The Lord gave me liberty in speaking and referring to the travail of Elijah. Elisha would follow the man of God. Elijah said, Go back, Elisha; but, “No,” said he, “as the Lord liveth and as thy soul liveth I will not leave thee.” [2 Kings 2:2, 4, 6.] He would see the end of the matter. He followed on and he saw the fiery chariot and the glory and the mantle of Elijah fall upon Elisha. So those who will follow on with the people of God, suffer trials with them, press on with them, when the mighty angel descends from heaven, clothed with the panoply of heaven and gives strength to the third angel, the power of the message is felt by them. The heavenly showers fall on them. The latter rain drops in their vessels.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 22 (1907)

Ms 191, 1907

22LtMs, Ms 191, 1907, par. 19

The last journey Elijah took before his translation was to visit these schools. He went to these schools all through the country, and he knew what God had before him. And he told Elisha, the one that was with him, “What will thou ask of me before I leave you?” “That a double portion of your spirit shall be upon me.” Only think of it, a double portion. Said he, “If you see me when I am taken up, your request shall be granted.” [2 Kings 2:9, 10.] But he would keep saying to Elisha, “What are you following me for? Go back.” Said he, “I will not go back.” [Verses 2, 4, 6.] He was determined to follow him to the last, and finally he beheld the chariot, and his master was taken up, and his mantle fell from him, there it was, falling down to him, and he knew that his request was granted.

From Splendor to Shadow

The Great Results of Elijah’s Work

SS 120.4

As Elisha accompanied the prophet from school to school, his faith and resolution were once more tested. He was invited by the prophet to turn back: “Tarry here, I pray thee,” Elijah said, “for the Lord hath sent me to Bethel.” 2 Kings 2:2. But Elisha had learned not to become discouraged, and now he would not be parted from his master, so long as opportunity remained for gaining a further fitting up for service.

SS 121.1

Unknown to Elijah, the revelation that he was to be translated had been made known to his disciples in the schools of the prophets and to Elisha. And now the servant of the man of God kept close beside him. As often as the invitation to turn back was given, his answer was, “I will not leave thee.” Verse 2.

SS 121.2

“And the two of them went on ... . And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters [of the Jordan River], and they were divided hither and thither, so that the two went over on dry ground. And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee.” Verses 6-9.

SS 121.3

That which Elisha craved was a large measure of the Spirit that God had bestowed on the one about to be honored with translation. He knew that nothing but the Spirit which had rested on Elijah could fit him to fill the place in Israel to which God had called him, and so he asked, “Let a double portion of thy Spirit be upon me.” Verse 9.

SS 121.4

In response Elijah said, “Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so. And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.” 2 Kings 2:10, 11.

Education

Elisha, Faithful in Little Things

Ed 59.2

As time passed, and Elijah was prepared for translation, so Elisha was prepared to become his successor. And again his faith and resolution were tested. Accompanying Elijah in his round of service, knowing the change soon to come, he was at each place invited by the prophet to turn back. “Tarry here, I pray thee,” Elijah said; “for the Lord hath sent me to Bethel.” But in his early labor of guiding the plow, Elisha had learned not to fail or to become discouraged; and now that he had set his hand to the plow in another line of duty, he would not be diverted from his purpose. As often as the invitation to turn back was given, his answer was, “As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee.” 2 Kings 2:2.

Ed 60.1

“And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces. He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan; and he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the Lord God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over. And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.” 2 Kings 2:6-15.

Gospel Workers (1915 ed.)

Deeper Consecration Needed

GW 116.2

When Elijah was about to leave Elisha, he said to him, “Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.” [2 Kings 2:9.] Elisha did not ask for worldly honor, for a place among the great men of the earth. That which he craved was a large portion of the spirit given to the one whom God was about to honor with translation. He knew that nothing else could fit him for the work that would be required of him.

The Truth About Angels

Elijah

TA 133.1

When Elijah was about to leave Elisha, he said to him, “Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.” [2 Kings 2:9.]—GW (1915) 116.

Ye Shall Receive Power

Elisha, September 13

YRP 265.1

And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. 2 Kings 2:9.

The Upward Look

How Would You Have Answered? November 13

UL 331.1

And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. 2 Kings 2:15.

UL 331.5

“And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me” (2 Kings 2:9). He did not ask for worldly honor, for a high place among the great men of the earth. That for which he craved was a double portion of the Spirit given to the one God was about to honor with translation. He knew that nothing but a double portion of the Spirit that had rested on Elijah could fit him to fill the place Elijah had filled, because Elijah had the experience and wisdom of age, which cannot by any method be imparted to the young....

From Splendor to Shadow

Many Will Be Translated Without Tasting Death

SS 122.3

“And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha.” 2 Kings 2:12-15.

Ye Shall Receive Power

Eager to Help Teachers, May 17

YRP 146.1

And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him. 2 Kings 2:15.

From Splendor to Shadow

Chapter 18—The Healing of the Waters

SS 123.3

Not far from Jericho was one of the schools of the prophets, and thither Elisha went after the ascension of Elijah. During his sojourn among them the men of the city came to him and said, “The situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord seeth: but the water is nought, and the ground barren.” The spring that had been pure and life-giving was now unfit for use. In response Elisha said, “Bring me a new cruse, and put salt therein.” Having received this, “he went forth unto the spring of the waters, and cast the salt in there, and said, Thus saith the Lord, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from thence any more death or barren land.” 2 Kings 2:19-21.

Prophets and Kings

Chapter 18—The Healing of the Waters

PK 230.3

In response to the plea of the men of Jericho, Elisha said, “Bring me a new cruse, and put salt therein.” Having received this, “he went forth unto the spring of the waters, and cast the salt in there, and said, Thus saith the Lord, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from thence any more death or barren land.” 2 Kings 2:19-21.

PK 231.2

The restoration was permanent; “the waters were healed unto this day, according to the saying of Elisha which he spake.” 2 Kings 2:22. From age to age the waters have flowed on, making that portion of the valley an oasis of beauty.

Conflict and Courage

Pollution and Purification, August 6

CC 224.1

And he went forth unto the spring of the waters, and cast the salt in there, and said, Thus saith the Lord, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from thence any more death or barren land. 2 Kings 2:21.

CC 224.2

In casting salt into the bitter spring, Elisha taught the same spiritual lesson imparted centuries later by the Saviour to His disciples when He declared, “Ye are the salt of the earth.” The salt mingling with the polluted spring purified its waters and brought life and blessing where before had been blighting and death. When God compares His children to salt, He would teach them that His purpose in making them the subjects of His grace is that they may become agents in saving others....

CC 224.3

Salt must be mingled with the substance to which it is added; it must penetrate, infuse it, that it may be preserved. So it is through personal contact and association that men are reached by the saving power of the gospel. They are not saved as masses, but as individuals. Personal influence is a power. It is to work with the influence of Christ, ... and to stay the progress of the world’s corruption.... It is to uplift, to sweeten the lives and characters of others by the power of a pure example united with earnest faith and love....

CC 224.4

The polluted stream represents the soul that is separate from God.... Through sin, the whole human organism is deranged, the mind is perverted, the imagination corrupted; the faculties of the soul are degraded. There is an absence of pure religion, of heart holiness. The converting power of God has not wrought in transforming the character....

CC 224.5

The heart that receives the word of God is not as a pool that evaporates.... It is like a river constantly flowing and, as it advances, becoming deeper and wider, until its life-giving waters are spread over all the earth.... So it is with the true child of God. The religion of Christ reveals itself as a vitalizing, pervading principle, a living, working, spiritual energy. When the heart is opened to the heavenly influence of truth and love, these principles will flow forth again like streams in the desert, causing fruitfulness to appear where now are barrenness and dearth.8Prophets and Kings, 231-234.

Prophets and Kings

Chapter 19—A Prophet of Peace

PK 235.2

Elisha was a man of mild and kindly spirit; but that he could also be stern is shown by his course when, on the way to Bethel, he was mocked by ungodly youth who had come out of the city. These youth had heard of Elijah’s ascension, and they made this solemn event the subject of their jeers, saying to Elisha, “Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head.” At the sound of their mocking words the prophet turned back, and under the inspiration of the Almighty he pronounced a curse upon them. The awful judgment that followed was of God. “There came forth two she-bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two” of them. 2 Kings 2:23, 24.

From Splendor to Shadow

Chapter 19—Elisha, Gentle Prophet of Peace

SS 127.2

Elisha was of mild and kindly spirit, but that he could also be stern is shown when, on the way to Bethel, he was mocked by ungodly youth. These youth had heard of Elijah’s ascension and made this solemn event the subject of jeers, saying to Elisha, “Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head.” 2 Kings 2:23. Under the inspiration of the Almighty the prophet pronounced a curse on them. The awful judgment that followed was of God. “There came forth two she-bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two” of them. Verse 24.

Conflict and Courage

Rudeness Rebuked, August 7

CC 225.1

Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the Lord. Leviticus 19:32.

CC 225.2

Elisha was a man of mild and kindly spirit; but that he could also be stern is shown by his course when, on the way to Bethel, he was mocked by ungodly youth who had come out of the city. These youth had heard of Elijah’s ascension, and they made this solemn event the subject of their jeers, saying to Elisha, “Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head.” At the sound of their mocking words the prophet turned back, and under the inspiration of the Almighty he pronounced a curse upon them. The awful judgment that followed was of God. “There came forth two she-bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two” of them (2 Kings 2:23, 24).

CC 225.3

Had Elisha allowed the mockery to pass unnoticed, he would have continued to be ridiculed and reviled by the rabble, and his mission to instruct and save in a time of grave national peril might have been defeated. This one instance of terrible severity was sufficient to command respect throughout his life. For fifty years he went in and out of the gate of Bethel, and to and fro in the land, from city to city, passing through crowds of idle, rude, dissolute youth; but none mocked him or made light of his qualifications as the prophet of the Most High....

CC 225.4

Reverence, in which the youth who mocked Elisha were so lacking, is a grace that should be carefully cherished. Every child should be taught to show true reverence for God. Never should His name be spoken lightly or thoughtlessly. Angels, as they speak it, veil their faces. With what reverence should we, who are fallen and sinful, take it upon our lips! ...

CC 225.5

Courtesy, also, is one of the graces of the Spirit and should be cultivated by all. It has power to soften natures which without it would grow hard and rough. Those who profess to be followers of Christ, and are at the same time rough, unkind, and uncourteous, have not learned of Jesus. Their sincerity may not be doubted, their uprightness may not be questioned; but sincerity and uprightness will not atone for a lack of kindness and courtesy.9Ibid., 235, 237.