The Final Assignment

 Where did Elijah go next? Some religions teach that he was taken up to heaven to be with God. But that impossible. Centuries later, Jesus Christ stated that no one ascended to heaven prior to his own time. (John 3:13) So when we read that "Elijah ascended to the heavens in the windstorm," we must ask, What heavens? (2 Kings 2:11) The Bible uses "heavens" to refer not only to the place where Jehovah lives but also to the atmospheric heavens of our earth, where clouds float and birds fly. (Psalm 147:8) To those heavens-the sky-Elijah ascended. And then to what? 

Jehovah simply transferred the beloved prophet to a new assignment, this time in the neighboring kingdom of Judah. The Bible record show Elijah still at work there, perhaps over seven years later. Ruling Judah at that time was wicked King Jehoram. He had married the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, so their evil influence was still at work. Jehovah commissioned Elijah to write a letter pronouncing judgment on Jehoram. As foretold, Jehoram died a horrible death. Worse, the account concludes: "No one regretted it when he died." - 2 CHRONICLES 21:12-20. 

What a contrast between the evil man and Elijah! We do not know just how or when Elijah. But we know that he did not die as Jehoram did, with no one to regret his passing. Elijah missed his friend. The other faithful prophets surely did as well. Jehovah himself still valued Elijah some 1,000 years later, for he used a representation of that beloved prophet in the transfiguration vision. (Matthew 17:1-9) Do you want to learn from Elijah and develop faith that endures despite hardships? Never forget, then, to build friendships with others who love God, to keep your life focused on spiritual things, and to pray often from the heart. May you likewise find a permanent place in the loving heart of Jehovah!

Next time: CHAPTER NINETEEN/He Protected, He Provided, He Persevered

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