Posted on Fri, Feb 20, 2009
Waiting on the Whirlwind
Speaker - Pastor Ayuba Mavalla(summarised by Sis. Ayobola Akwarandu)
Key Text - 2 Kings 2: 1 - 14
This passage gives an account of the homecoming of one of the greatest prophets in the bible. Jesus also told us He will come back to take us home and He gave a roadmap leading us to know the time of His coming, although not the exact day. He told us there will be famine, wars, earthquakes, many shall be offended and betrayed, false prophets shall abound etc. These are the signs to show us that He will come again. As these things are manifested before our very eyes, we can get interpretation and understanding from the Bible that the coming of Jesus is sure and very near.
Let us learn from Elijah and Elisha, (keep in mind – Elijah was the master and Elisha was the servant). in verse 1, Elijah kept telling Elisha to ‘stay here’, although he knew his home coming was near, we would think he would prefer Elisha to be by him always but he wanted to test Elisha, and see how much he wanted to learn and inherit from him. On the other hand, Elisha knew what he wanted and was focused, and he insisted on following Elijah wherever he went. Many tried to convince Elisha otherwise but he was focused. Now many will do many things to stop you, some may feel offended and so they will oppose and try to deter you from progressing. Lesson is: - You need to be focused.
This message however is about Elijah. His life had been a swift moving and adventurous one: from the brook to the devouring of the altars of Baal. God had shown signs to approve of Elijah and his life was full of signs for humanity. The focus of this sermon is the preparation Elijah had at the time just before he was taken to heaven. Do not let the enemy discourage you about the coming of the Lord.
What did Elijah do to prepare when the Lord said He would take him home? Note that Elijah also didn’t know the exact time. It was a time for him to wait and watch. Some of us may have to wait for Jesus in the grave while some may still be alive. The Bible says He will call His people from the four corners of the earth and take them with him. The Bible tells us He will come and all eyes will see Him so we must be ready. First Elijah walked purposefully (Vs. 1-6), and secondly he continued to live in humility doing the will of God. Jesus expects us to be busy with the work He has entrusted in our hands. As Elijah worked, he had all his enemies trying to use all they have to deter him from working the work of God. The Lord saw him through and he progressed. Let’s look at the areas Elijah went:
Vs 1 – Elijah went to Gilgal. This was the first place Israel went after leaving the River Jordan. Elijah pondered on the journey of Israel. Gilgal to Elijah was the place of a new beginning. It was a place to remind Elijah how he started with the Lord. This to the Christian is when you accept Jesus as your Lord, it’s the place of preparation, and a place of commitment.
Vs 2 – Elijah went to Bethel. Bethel was a holy place for Israel. Gen 28: 11 - 22. It signifies the place of revelation, where the altar was erected… a place where God became known. It was a place to remember the faithfulness of God and his total dependence on the Lord. For the Christian, Bethel represents a time & place to remember God’s faithfulness, a time to count your blessings and to give thanks for all the loads of benefits received from God.
Vs 4 – Elijah went to Jericho. Jericho was the place of the first major conquest within the Promised Land. For Elijah, it was a place to remember the victories he had enjoyed: the victory at Mount Carmel, the raising of the widow’s son etc. For the Christian, this is the place to remember the victories God has given you and the marvellous things He is doing in your life. Sometimes we need to stay in ‘Jericho’.
Then Elijah was taken to Jordan – For Israel, River Jordan marked the end of their wilderness; the place of death by which time all the older folks that left Egypt had all perished due to lack of faith. For Elijah, this was the time and place to remember all the times he had died to self. living a selfless life to the glory of God. This for the Christian brings us to a place of remembering that God requires of us a constant dying to self. Jordan represents a time to ask ourselves if we have been crucified with Christ, such that we no longer live but Christ now lives out His life within us.
What do all these journeys mean to you? They represent a normal Christian life. There must be:
- a ‘Gilgal’ experience – a place of new beginning. Except you are born again you will not see the kingdom of God. Gilgal also is the place of spiritual preparation.
- a Bethel experience – the place of dependency on the Lord. A place of maturity.
- a Jericho experience – the place we face battles. This is also the place of victory. When we have experience Jesus at Bethel, we face the battles at Jericho and then move across to Jordan.
- a Jordan experience – where Elijah was taken up to heaven. He dropped the mantel and Elisha received the ‘double portion’ as he had requested, and as granted by the Lord.
Shalom always!
(If you will like to obtain a DVD of the full message, please call ++447748 807550 or ++447853 121918, or email bhsdacpastors@aol.com. Within UK, the price is £3 but if you enquire, we may even be able to send you a free copy)
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