In the Footsteps of Elijah
In 2 Kings 2:1-6 is a report of what the prophet Elijah did just before he was taken to heaven. God instructed him to visit some schools of the prophets before he was taken up. This was because the Lord wanted him to share the important lessons of his life with the students in the schools.
Visits to three places
In addition to Elisha, the students were aware that Elijah was to be taken to heaven by the Lord, so why was it necessary for him to visit those three places before being translated? Let us consider this question.
We all know that the work of the third angel (Revelation 14:9-11) is compared with that of Elijah. For this reason, I believe it is necessary for those to whom God has entrusted His work to study what Elijah did. “Elijah was a type of the saints who will be living on the earth at the time of the second advent of Christ and who will be ‘changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump,’ without tasting of death.” –Ellen G. White, Prophets and Kings, p. 227. What Elijah did is meaningful to us, because we may very well be among those who are translated without seeing death.
Bethel
“And 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 unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the Lord hath sent me to Bethel. And Elisha said unto 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.
Genesis 12:8 and 13:3 report that after leaving his country, kindred, and father’s house, one of the first things Abraham did was build an altar in Bethel. And we read in Genesis 28:19-22 about Jacob, who slept in this place on the first night after fleeing from his parents’ home to save his life. This is where he had a dream of the ladder linking earth to heaven. According to Judges 20:26, 27, the ark of the covenant later resided here. This was the first place Elijah visited.
Visiting Jericho
“And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee; for the Lord hath sent me to Jericho. And he said, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho.” 2 Kings 2:4.
The Lord instructed Elijah to go to Jericho. Why? We find in Joshua 5 that the Israelites crossed the Jordan into the promised land, and those who were uncircumcised were circumcised while they stayed in Gilgal. Then they marched forward into Canaan and were confronted with the huge fortress of Jericho, which seemed impregnable and had unnerved the spies 40 years before. This fortress was a major factor in the discouragement that resulted in the men over 20 years of age having to die in the wilderness, Caleb and Joshua excepted. The Bible regards Jericho as a typical fortress of rebellion against God. In fact, He pronounced a curse on whoever would rebuild the fortress. Joshua 6:26.
But there was a school of the prophets in Jericho, and the students were taught how this impregnable fortress collapsed under God’s power through the Israelites’ faith. From Elijah’s visit to this place, the Lord wants to teach us a lesson today.
Going to the Jordan
“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. And they two went on.” 2 Kings 2:6.
The Lord did not take Elijah to heaven from Jericho but instructed him to go to the Jordan. What had happened there? Joshua 4:7 reports that even though it was the rainy season and the Jordan was overflowing its banks (Joshua 3:15), the path through the Jordan River into the promised land of Canaan was opened for the Israelites because of those who “sanctified themselves” and through the priests who carried the ark of the covenant. Joshua 3:6, 14-17. How joyful and impressive the scene was!
Many people say that the Israelites’ experience in crossing the Jordan represents the latter rain, which God’s remnant people will receive at the end. I believe it is a very deserving and beautiful symbol. The history of Israel was an example especially for those “upon whom the ends of the world are come.” 1 Corinthians 10:6, 11.
Type and significance
Let us study the experiences made by the church and compare them with the types of Elijah’s experience as well as those of ancient Israel. Elijah and Elisha began their journey at Gilgal, where the Israelites were circumcised. Circumcision was a sign of the covenant of faith made between the Israelites and God, in which they promised to obey Him and He promised to purify them of sin. Therefore, circumcision signifies the start of new life for a believer who lives by faith.
In comparing the experience of the Israelites in Gilgal with experiences made by the church, we go back to the Reformation in the 16th century and the time of Martin Luther. The religious darkness passed away, and the bright truth of the Bible began to radiate. The foundation for the understanding of the cleansing of the sanctuary and the prophecy of the 2,300 days of Daniel 8:14 was laid. The truth of justification by faith can be compared to the restoration of the altar of burnt offering in the time of Israel.
Elijah and Elisha first visited Gilgal; and the foundation of the truth for the remnant people who proclaim the third angel’s message was laid by the religious Reformation of Martin Luther and others, beginning the restoration of the sanctuary truth.
The experience at Bethel
Abraham’s building the first altar after responding to God’s call and Jacob’s setting up the stone as a memorial for God I would like to compare to the birth of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It was composed of people who left their former churches and covenanted to obey God’s law. But some years later, just as a golden calf was set up in Bethel (1 Kings 12:28, 29), prophecy predicted and history shows that the Seventh-day Adventists did not uphold God’s law during time of war and in the ensuing years have taken additional steps in the wrong direction, as occurred at Bethel.
“The church has turned back from following Christ her Leader and is steadily retreating toward Egypt.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 217.
“‘“How is the faithful city become an harlot!” My Father’s house is made a house of merchandise, a place whence the divine presence and glory have departed! For this cause there is weakness, and strength is lacking.’…
“In the balances of the sanctuary the Seventh-day Adventist church is to be weighed. She will be judged by the privileges and advantages that she has had. If her spiritual experience does not correspond to the advantages that Christ, at infinite cost, has bestowed on her, if the blessings conferred have not qualified her to do the work entrusted to her, on her will be pronounced the sentence: ‘Found wanting.’ By the light bestowed, the opportunities given, will she be judged.” –Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, pp. 250, 247.
What occurred in Jericho?
A school of the prophets was built in Jericho, but we cannot forget this fortress as a place of rebellion. The Lord placed a curse on the one who would rebuild it. “…He shall lay the foundation thereof in his firstborn, and in his youngest son shall he set up the gates of it.” Joshua 6:26. The builder would lose his firstborn for the foundation; and, his youngest son for the gates.
The remnant of the Laodicean church period was born out of the adversity of World War I, when faithful Seventh-day Adventists endured the terrible trials caused by government demands in Europe that they violate God’s holy law. The International Missionary Society of the Seventh-day Adventist Reform Movement was as a root out of a dry ground that had no form or comeliness; individuals sacrificed their very lives for the Master. “God brought these witnesses into covenant relation with Himself, uniting the church on earth with the church in heaven.” –The Acts of the Apostles, p. 11. “There is one body,…” Ephesians 4:4.
But in 1951, some leaders separated from the body of Reformers and organized themselves into a new movement which had no basis in prophecy, the Bible, or the Spirit of Prophecy. Many people suffered shipwreck of faith because of the constant accusations of this movement, and many people will also be discouraged in the future, just as Jericho’s builder lost his youngest son for the gates. Any movement which attempts to justify its existence primarily by pointing out the errors of others is building upon a shaky foundation that cannot stand.
How good it would be if the sin of separating and forming a new organization would be acknowledged and confessed! How good it would be if God’s grace would be applied while Christ is still mediating in the Most Holy Place! How wonderful it would be if peaceful unity and brotherly love would be achieved and heavenly peace would be tasted through the acknowledgment and confession of such a sin!
Go to the Jordan
Let us go to Jordan, where Elijah went last. When the Israelites cleansed themselves (Joshua 5:15) and the priests carrying the ark stepped into the Jordan (Joshua 6:7), the way to Canaan was opened. Who can imagine the joy of the Israelites? Should not this experience be that of God’s remnant people who are bound for the heavenly Canaan when the latter rain is poured out? Is not the outpouring of the latter rain promised to the people who have cleansed themselves and been transformed through willing obedience to His law?
“The Hebrew prophets foretold the bestowal of spiritual grace in extraordinary measure upon God’s church. The outpouring of the spirit in the days of the apostles was the beginning of the early, or former, rain, and glorious was the result. To the end of time the presence of the Spirit is to abide with the true church.” –The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 54, 55.
Elijah was translated at the Jordan, where God’s law was uplifted. He didn’t stay at Bethel or Jericho. He parted the river Jordan through the power of the Holy Spirit and was taken to heaven. We, too, must go to Jordan. The latter rain will be poured out upon only one church, and we need to gather in that church. All who will be taken up without tasting death on earth will gather at the Jordan. Should not the church which faithfully upheld the law of God through two terrible tests of war be the place where those represented by Elijah should gather to be translated?
On the May 19, 2000, hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit and following the footsteps of Elijah, I joined the International Missionary Society of the Seventh-day Adventist Reform Movement, the church of God on earth. Now I will prepare, as did Elijah, to be translated. I desire to take part in the latter rain when it comes upon the church. I believe the Lord will reward with the glory of the latter rain all who have followed Elijah’s footsteps by making their vow to the living God. I thank Him for leading me to the last remnant church and also thank the brethren of the International Missionary Society.
I pray that the love of God, the rich blessings of Christ, and the working of the Holy Spirit will be upon all who worship the God of the universe in spirit and truth.
–Kang Dae Chun, Korea
