On the day that Elijah was to be taken up into heaven
by the Lord, Elisha embarks on a journey with him from Gilgal (II Kings 2:1)
The meaning of the name, Gilgal, suggests a journey (Heb.,
"a wheel, rolling")
The journey is to have three stops and along the way Elisha
is opposed by the Lord's people and tested by the Lord through His choice servant (II Kings 2:2-8)
He is initially tested by Elijah when told not to start,
but accompanies him to Bethel (II Kings 2:2)
The meaning of the name, Bethel, is indicative of the
place where all believers have a part (Heb., "the House of God"); Elisha is opposed by the Lord's people
there, but continues the journey (II Kings 2:3)
The next stop is Jericho, where Elisha is again opposed
by the Lord's people (II Kings 2:4-5)
The meaning of the name, Jericho, reveals that Elisha
has made spiritual progress in his journey (Heb., "a sweet fragrance"), for not all believers have lives
that "smell the same" !!
The final stop is the Jordan where Elisha is alone
with Elijah ("they two stood by the Jordan" and "they two went over on dry ground") as opposed
to the others who "stood to view afar off" (II Kings 2:6-8)
The meaning of the name, Jordan (Heb., "the descender,
flowing down"), emphasizes the "descent" of the Lord to "catch up Elijah" (II Kings 2:11-12) and the power that came
to "rest on Elisha" ("the double portion" of Elijah's spirit) for his faithful journey despite
all opposition (II Kings 2:9-10 cf. II Kings 2:13-15)
God's power was manifested in Elijah's life through the
8 miracles he performed
God's power was doubly manifested in Elisha's life through
the 15 miracles he performed and the 1 miracle performed after his death
Bestowed vs. Obtained Promises - Grace(II Timothy 2)
Today all believers will one day "live with Him"
(II Timothy 2:11), because "He is faithful"
(II Timothy 2:13), but only faithful believers
will one day "reign with Him" (II Timothy 2:12)
All believers are identified with His death and His
resurrection (Romans 6:3-5)
Only faithful believers will receive the "crown
of righteousness" for "loving His appearing" (II Timothy 4:7-8), i.e. "looking for
His appearing" (Titus 2:11-13)
Note what it means to be "strong in grace"
(II Timothy 2:1):
The "hardness of a soldier" (II Timothy 2:3-4) whose "affections
are set on things above" and whose "life is hid below with Christ by God", only to be seen when
He is seen (CoIossians 3:1-4)
The "lawful striving of an athlete" to "gain
the crown" (II Timothy 2:5) is likened to "receiving the prize" for "forgetting
one's own righteousness" (the Law) and "seeking God's righteousness" (resurrection life) via "the
fellowship of His sufferings" (the cross) -- (Philippians 3:8-14)
The "servant of the Lord" who is strong in grace"
will always be "gentle" and "not strive" with those who "oppose themselves", but
instruct them "in meekness" to "recover themselves" out of the enemy's snare (II Timothy 2:24-26 cf. Galatians 6:1)