In order to receive the power of the Holy Spirit, we need to be persistent and stay focused.
2 Kings 2: 1 – 15
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!”
4 Then Elijah said to him, “Elisha, stay here, please, for the Lord has sent me on to Jericho.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you!” So they came to Jericho.
5 Now the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho came to Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that the Lord will take away your master from over you today?”
So he answered, “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.”
Three times Elijah tried to get away but Elisha wouldn’t leave him. Why? He knew that Elijah was going to be taken to heaven and Elisha wanted to be there when this happened. He also didn’t want to miss the final blessing.
Finally, when it was time for Elijah to ascend to heaven, he asked Elisha ‘what can I do for you before I am taken away’. Elisha asked for a double portion of his spirit.
It must have been really hard for Elisha to ask this but by being persistent, he followed Elijah and asked what was difficult to ask – and he was not asking for Elijah’s spirit but was asking for a double portion of the spirit of God, which was on him.
Elijah knew that it’s not up to him to promise that – he himself couldn’t give a double portion of God’s spirit to Elisha. But Elijah knew God is able to do this for Elisha. Then Elijah spoke a condition and trusted God to do what was right in his sight.
2 Kings 2:10
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.”
Only if Elisha sees Elijah being taken away, can he have what he has requested. Elijah has left it to God to do what is right.
2 Kings 2: 11-13
As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. 12 Elisha saw this and cried out, “My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!” And Elisha saw him no more. Then he took hold of his garment and tore it in two. 13 Elisha then picked up Elijah’s cloak that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan.
Elisha stayed focused and he saw when Elijah was taken away and he also saw the mantle of Elijah falling down and he took the mantle with him.
To receive what you ask, you need to stay focused in the word of God – by the spoken word, it will be established. Through faith in God and being persistent, Elisha followed Elijah his master and also asked for more than his master had.
Two things happened here:
- Because he stayed focused he saw when his master was taken away
- He also saw the mantle falling down and he took it with him
If you see in between these two actions something happened – ver 12 – he tore his own clothes into two pieces. This is the outward expression of the deep grief of losing his spiritual father. But if you tear what you are wearing into two pieces you cannot wear it again. Before he took Elijah’s mantle he tore his own garment.
This also shows we need to get rid of our ways of living, old attitude and turn from the old ways to receive the new life and a new mantle – just like you cannot pour new wine into an old wine skin – it will break. Therefore let us be ready to be filled with a double portion by taking off our old and receive the new mantel of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Many times we are trying to receive or wanting to receive something from the Lord but we are not willing to give-up our ways, life style and plans. The bible talks about old and new; Old Testament and New Testament; the Old Testament way is completely different from the New Testament way.
Something happened between the old and the new covenants – the grace and the love of God was poured upon mankind. A new covenant was released and those who stayed focused received this new covenant. They saw the curtain tore in to two.
They were able to enter into the most holy place now because of the new covenant – which is through Jesus Christ who gave himself as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins and we are forgiven by his blood. Now we have direct access to God most high.
Coming back to Elisha – he saw the power of God lifting Elijah and was sad and he tore his garment – it seems to me this act also shows his readiness to let go of his old life to receive the new mantle which is the covering – the anointing of the Holy Spirit to take over the office of the prophet.
Elisha knew the power of the mantle of Elijah – the anointing he was walking in. When Elisha was called Elijah threw his mantel over Elisha and immediately, Elisha knew that he needed to follow Elijah and be his disciple. That’s the power of God. (1 King 19:19)
I would like to compare Elijah as a model of Jesus Christ:
- When Jesus called his disciples, they left everything and followed Jesus – same as Elisha when Elijah threw his mantel he immediately followed him.
- Elijah had power to do miracles just like Jesus did.
- Elijah ascended to heaven when the disciples were watching just like Jesus ascended when the disciples were watching.
- When Elijah went up, his mantle was released so that Elisha can continue the work. Not only that but also a double portion – same as Jesus when he ascended the Holy Spirit was given to us and now we can do not only what Jesus did but we can also do greater things.
John 14:12 – “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.
Think about your own life – We need to let go of our old way of thinking and doing life to the new and living way – then you can live a transformed life.
I think many people misunderstand the salvation plan of God – it doesn’t mean you have a trouble free, comfortable life but it means to take up the cross and follow Jesus in the new way of living he taught us. Meditate on the word and live by faith knowing the perfect will of God.
James 1:2-8 (NKJV) – 2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Coming back to Elisha…
This mantle represents the covering of God – it is the power of God and also the very presence of God which is the Holy Spirit of God on us. The Holy Spirit was resting on the garment of Elijah and this garment without the presence, has no power. In the same way, when we come under the presence of God, we have power – when the Holy Spirit of God is on us as the mantle/covering, we can do all things through Christ.
This is different to the Holy Spirit in you – which was given to us when we received Christ Jesus as our Lord and savior – same Holy Spirit but different functions – He as a comforter, guide, helper and teacher in you. Elisha received the Holy Spirit when he was called, but only when he was ready to tear his garment to receive the double portion, was he walking in that authority. That means you become an ambassador of God and do things on his behalf just because he trusted you and appointed you to perform what he has purposed it.
When we learn to work with the Holy Spirit – when he becomes your friend and when you remove the old and put on the new, you will be able to do everything Jesus did and more.
Elijah had to stay focused to take hold of this mantle and also remove the old and put on the new mantle to experience the miracles. We need to stay close to God all mighty and know him and understand his ways.
2 Kings 2:14-15 – 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. 15 The company of the prophets from Jericho, who were watching, said, “The spirit of Elijah is resting on Elisha.” And they went to meet him and bowed to the ground before him
In 2 Kings 2:15 the people who saw what Elisha did knew that the spirit of Elijah – the spirit of Elijah’s God had rested on Elisha.
In the same way, when the disciples of Jesus started doing miracles, people knew the spirit of God was on them.
Likewise, when we put on the mantle of Christ – the new life in Christ, the people around us will know – and will say surely the spirit of the Lord is on him or her.
But we need to tear our old garment and walk closely with the Lord to put on the new to fully function in the new anointing – signs & wonders and healing & miracles shall follow us.
We also need to stay focused and take hold of what is being released over us in every season.
In further chapters, you will see that Elisha did all kinds of miracles because the power of God rested upon him. He was living with the power of God – that’s the power and authority that Jesus said we can have if we believe in him.
John 14:13-14 – And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.
Mark 11:23-24 – For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
I believe we are entering into a new season of the mantle being released over the body of Christ. If we stay focused and take hold of that which is being released we can walk in them.
We need to understand the purpose and plan of God in our lives and be persistent, stay focused to receive the mantle that will equip us to complete the calling of God.
By Sujani Anantham | The Prayer Tent Ministry
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