"My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen
thereof."--_2 Kings 2:12._
THE time had come when God was about to call away His great Prophet
Elijah. And it was not as other men are taken from this earth, by dying
and being buried, while their souls go away to the God who gave them.
No; Elijah went out and visited all the schools, where young men and
boys were being trained to sing God's praise; and Elisha, who was his
scholar and his friend, went with him.
[Illustration: ELIJAH TAKEN UP INTO HEAVEN.--2 Kings 2:11.]
When they came to the bank of the river Jordan, Elijah took his mantle
and rolled it up, and struck the waters of the stream with it, and they
parted, and left a way for Elijah and Elisha to go over dry-footed.
Then Elijah said, "Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away
from thee." And Elisha said, "I pray thee, let a double portion of thy
Spirit be upon me."
And while they were talking together, there came a great wonder from
heaven: a chariot and horses, all bright and glowing like fire; and
Elijah was parted from his friend, and went up into heaven upon a
whirlwind. Elisha stood watching, crying out, "My father, my father,
the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof;" as if he knew not
what he said. And Elijah, as he went up, threw down his mantle; and
Elisha took it up and went his way, much wondering, and full of awe.
And when he came to the river Jordan, he took the mantle, rolled up,
and smote the waters, and they parted again, so that he went through
with dry feet. And when the young men in the school of the prophets met
him, they saw in his face and manner that the same Spirit which had
been on Elijah was on him, and they bowed themselves before him.
Only one other man was ever taken up to heaven without dying, and he
was Enoch, who lived before the Flood. Our blessed Lord ascended into
Heaven; but He went up, He was not taken, and it was after He had died
and risen again.