Day 34 of 365
AN ASCENSION PREVIEW
Elijah's unique ascension into heaven testified to his vital role as a prophet to the people of God at a very critical stage in their history. Elijah shared many similarities with John the Baptist, who would come later to help prepare the way for Jesus. Both John and Elijah lived in the desert, confronted the sinfulness of their day and urged the people to turn back to God. Jesus himself even pointed out the close association between these two mighty prophets (Mt 17:9 - 13). By his ascension into heaven, Elijah foreshadowed what Jesus would one day do (Lk 24:51). Luke records that those who witnessed Jesus' ascension reacted in worship. Surely, those who witnessed Elijah's miraculous ascension had a similar feeling of awe, fear and worship - not on account of Elijah, but on account of the glory of God.
Paul encouraged the church at Thessalonica as people raised questions about Jesus' return. Believers at that time expected Jesus to return during their lifetime. As some of the believers died, other believers began to question what would happen to those who died before the second coming of Jesus. Paul told the church to encourage each other with reminders of their future with Christ (1Th 4:17 - 18). The ascension of Jesus is a precursor to what will happen to all who trust in Christ's finished work. Jesus will return, and the dead will rise, join with those who are alive physically and in Christ, and be called up to the Lord (1Th 4:13 - 18). The ascensions of Elijah and Jesus provide a preview for what will happen to all those who have placed their faith in Jesus.
This hope and promise gives all followers of Jesus confidence and strength to endure life in this fallen and broken world. Following Elijah's ascension, Elisha demonstrated the power of God on earth by working a host of miracles (2Ki 2:13 - 22; 4:1 - 6:23). Jesus' disciples, following his ascension and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, also performed miracles which demonstrated the power of God (Ac 2:43). Today, believers know the power of God and the future hope that awaits all who are in Christ, and they can fully trust that God can and will use them to accomplish great things as well. Since believers know that they will one day join with Jesus, they can live out their days without fear. By the power of God's Spirit, believers can live confidently and courageously, trusting that death does not have the final say.
Jesus, when I am getting bogged down with the cares of this world, help me to remember the glorious future in store for me. Help me to use this knowledge to encourage my brothers and sisters in you. Amen.
2 Kings 2:8-12 NASB
8 Elijah took his mantle and folded it together and struck the waters, and they were divided here and there, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground.
9 When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, "Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you." And Elisha said, "Please, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me." 10 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 As they were going along and talking, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire which separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven. 12 Elisha saw it and cried out, "My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!" And he saw Elijah no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 NASB
13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. 15For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
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