Elijah was a prophet for about 35 years during the reign of the wicked kings Ahab, Ahaziah, and Jehoram of Israel, and we have most of what he did in the books of first and second Kings. He prophesied a drought in their land which lasted for three years, confronted the priests of Baal and destroyed them, prayed and the rain returned, prophesied accurately the deaths of both Ahab and his wife Jezebel, as well as the accurate death of their son, and later king, Azariah.

In addition, Elijah was translated to heaven without dying by being taking to heaven in a chariot of fire in a whirlwind (2Ki 2:11). This was not by his own will, but by the aid of God. Elijah was translated by God even when God’s work in Israel was not complete and at the height of his ministry. If his ministry lasted for 35 years as stated above, this would likely have made him about 65 or 70 years of age at this time. This event parallels the future time when our work (i.e., that of the Church) will be complete even though God’s work on this earth is not.

Elijah serves as an archetype of how God will provide a way from future judgment for his followers from the Tribulation via the Receiving of his Bride, the Church (also called the Rapture, meaning “caught up”) for those alive at his coming.

Paul tells us of this: We who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them [the dead in Christ] in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air (1Th 4:17, NIV).

These are those who will become part of his future Promised Kingdom in which they will receive glorified bodies without having to experience physical death. Paul describes this as being changed in the twinkling of an eye (1Co 15:52).

Isn’t it wonderful how God has thought of everything and every contingency for us? We can always rest in his faithfulness (La 3:23).

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens