Bible reading for October 21.
2 Kings 2.
"Then he took the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and struck the water, saying, 'Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?' And when he had struck the water, the water was parted to the one side and to the other, and Elisha went over." (2 Kings 2:14)
CHARIOTS OF FIRE. There are many curious features about this chapter, and questions: why does Elisha ask for a double portion of Elijah's spirit? Why does Elijah keep putting Elisha off? Why does Elijah get to go directly to heaven? What's with the fiery chariots and horses? This is history, not a vision. And, no, these were not spaceships. People of that day knew what horses and chariots looked like. (They will be seen again in 6:17.) Apparently, Elisha aspires to a double portion of God's power which was upon Elijah. He's tested in this regard, and his tenacity is rewarded. Elisha will in fact perform more miracles than did Elijah. Parting the waters of the Jordan recalls not only the parting of the Red Sea but also Israel's entry into the promised land through the Jordan. The same God who led Israel is providing prophetic guidance for the nation.
BALD HEADS AND BEARS. This is another curious event. The Hebrew word for "small boys" (v 23) in the ESV in my opinion is better translated as in the NIV, "youths". This word is used elsewhere in the OT for young men of a marriageable age, of weapon-bearers, and of younger male servants. The word means youthful not small. This was a gang of 42+ teenagers, not little boys, who were up to no good. Elisha did not curse AT them (like a cranky old man), but rather pronounced God's judgment UPON them as the prophet of God. This event, along with the purified water, demonstrated early on that God's abundant (double) blessing, power, and authority were upon Elisha.
REFLECT. This event of Elijah's "translation", as some theologians call it, means he changed bodily from an earthly to a heavenly existence, and so bypassed death. This shows the unique place Elijah has among the prophets. Like Moses he later appears with Jesus on the mount of transfiguration (Matt 17:3). He is the forerunner of the day of the Lord (Mal 4:5). John the Baptist came in the spirit and power of Elijah (Luke 1:17). In one sense Elijah's ascension foreshadows the ascension of our Lord, who purposefully did not bypass death (Acts 1:9, 11). But further, it foreshadows our own translation at Christ's return, where believers who are alive on earth will be transformed immediately and directly from earthly to resurrection existence, also bypassing death (1 Cor 15:51-52; 1 Thess 4:17). What do you think about this? Does this seem like science fiction or fantasy to you? Why not pray and ask that the Lord make this hope more real to you?
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2 Thessalonians 2.
"Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction..." (2 Thessalonians 2:3)
THE MAN OF LAWLESSNESS. The Thessalonian believers may have wondered if the day of the Lord, that period of time related to the second coming of Christ, had already come. The Apostle Paul tells them that Christ's visible return would not take place until a great rebellion (Gr., apostasia, or "falling away; apostasy") occurred, and the "man of lawlessness" is revealed. I do believe this is the same person elsewhere referred to as "the little horn" (Dan 7:3, 6) or "the beast" (Rev 13). The word "antichrist" (1 Jn 2:18, 22; 4:3; 2 Jn 7) and "false christ" (Matt 24:5, 24) are both used in a plural sense of those who seek to supplant Christ with their own messianic pretension. There have been many antichrist candidates throughout history, including Antiochus IV and certain Roman emperors. But I think the Scriptures teach that there will be one very powerful individual at the end of history who will perform signs and wonders, make blasphemous claims, persecute God's people, and seek to control the world's commerce. Thankfully, his reign will last only three and a half years (aka, "time, times, and half a time," or 1290 days). He will be completely destroyed by Christ's appearance and by his word of judgment (v 8).
HOW HUMAN HISTORY ENDS. Many would like to think that humanity is getter better and better. People tend to feel that good leaders and organization -- along with science, technology, and enlightened thinking -- will bring about utopia on earth. But the Bible clearly tells us that all our progress will ultimately result in self-worship, the deification of humanity, and then its collapse. Because people do not want to hear the truth, nor love the truth, the truth shall be hidden from them. Paul's conclusion: "So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter" (2:15).
REFLECT. Do you love the truth? How sad is this: "...they refused to love the truth and so be saved" (2:10). In our fallen nature how quickly we deceive ourselves! How quickly we believe lies, especially if it affirms our unrighteous pleasures (2:12). How we delude ourselves with things, ideas, and promises that have no reality. Our culture exalts feelings rather than facts, personal truth ("my truth, what's true for me") rather than real truth. (Or "true truth," as Francis Schaeffer used to say.) As a result, we believe people who are liars, who spin the truth, who craft their public image with an intent to deceive us. We end up trusting people who aren't trustworthy. This can be true in friendships, marriages, businesses, leadership, politics, and churches. Pray for those around you to recognize that there is truth (just as there are lies!), that God would give them a love for what is true, that they might see the reality of Jesus who said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6).
Image credit. Painting: "Elijah Taken Up in a Chariot of Fire," c. 1740/1755 by Giuseppe Angeli, at the National Gallery of Art. Public domain. We are following the Robert Murray M'Cheyne (RMM) two-year reading schedule, as arranged by D. A. Carson. Scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. One recommended resource is NETBible.org, a ministry of bible.org.
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