Royalty and Ruin

The Great Results of Elijah’s Work

As the gospel is proclaimed in its purity, people will be called from the plow and from common commercial business vocations and will be educated in connection with experienced workers. As they learn to labor effectively, they will proclaim the truth with power. Through God’s wonderful workings, mountains of difficulty will be thrown into the sea. The message that means so much to the dwellers on earth will be heard and understood. The work will advance more and more until the whole earth will have been warned, and then the end will come. RR 81.5

For several years Elijah and Elisha worked together. Elijah had been God’s instrument to overthrow gigantic evils. His efforts had brought a stop to the idolatry with which Ahab and the heathen Jezebel had seduced the nation. Baal’s prophets had been executed. Israel had been deeply stirred, and many were returning to the worship of God. By careful, patient instruction, Elisha must guide Israel in safe paths. His association with Elijah, the greatest prophet since Moses, prepared him for the work he was soon to take up alone. RR 81.6

From time to time during these years Elijah had to meet open evils with stern rebuke. When Ahab seized Naboth’s vineyard, the voice of Elijah prophesied his doom and the doom of all his house. And when Ahaziah turned from the living God to Baal-Zebub, Elijah protested earnestly. RR 81.7

The schools of the prophets that Samuel had established had fallen into decay during Israel’s apostasy. Elijah reestablished them, making provision for young men to gain an education that would lead them to magnify the law and make it honorable. Three schools are mentioned in the record—at Gilgal, Bethel, and Jericho. Just before Elijah was taken to heaven, he and Elisha visited these centers of training. Elijah now repeated the lessons that he had given on former visits. Especially did he instruct them about maintaining their loyalty to the God of heaven. He also impressed on their minds the importance of keeping every feature of their education free of pride and show. Only in this way could they be molded into heaven’s likeness and work in the ways of the Lord. RR 82.1

Elijah rejoiced as he saw what these schools were accomplishing. The reformation was not complete, but he could see the truth of the Lord’s word, “Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal.” 1 Kings 19:18. RR 82.2

As Elisha accompanied the prophet from school to school, his faith and commitment were tested once more. The prophet invited him to turn back: “Stay here, please,” Elijah said, “for the Lord has sent me on to Bethel.” 2 Kings 2:2. But Elisha had learned not to become discouraged, and now he would not leave his master, as long as opportunity remained to become better qualified for service. RR 82.3

God had revealed to Elijah that he was to be translated, but Elijah did not know that He had also revealed this to his disciples in the schools of the prophets and to Elisha. And now Elisha kept close beside him. As often as Elijah gave the invitation to turn back, Elisha’s answer was, “I will not leave you!” Verse 2. RR 82.4

“So the two of them went on. ... Now Elijah took his mantle, rolled it up, and struck the water [of the Jordan River]; and it was divided this way and that, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground. 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?’” Verses 6-9. RR 82.5

What Elisha craved most was a large measure of the Spirit that God had bestowed on Elijah, who was 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, “Please let a double portion of your Spirit be upon me.” Verse 9. RR 82.6

In response Elijah 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.’ Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.” 2 Kings 2:10, 11. RR 82.7