2 Kings 1 & 2: A Whirlwind Into Heaven
Verse of the Day: (2:11) And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.

1. The Word (1:1-18)
So he died according to the word of the LORD which Elijah had spoken. And Jehoram reigned in his stead, in the second year of Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah; because he had no son. (1:17)

God told Prophet Elijah to prophesy to King Ahaziah of Israel, that he would die because he sought to ask Baal-zebub instead of the true God concerning his injury. When Ahaziah heard that Elijah had prophesied his death, he sent his captain of 50 soldiers not once but twice to confront Elijah, and twice God sent fire to destroy them. When Ahaziah sent the 3rd captain to confront Elijah, the captain pleaded with him to spare them. Elijah then spared them and went with them to meet Ahaziah. Elijah then told Ahaziah that he had provoked God, and soon after Ahaziah died as according to God’s Word. Jehoram became the King of Israel because Ahaziah had no son, and thus fulfilled God’s prophecy that after Ahaziah, there shall be no descendant from the line of Ahab. (1 Kings 21:21)

2. The Whirlwind (2:1-15)
And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. (2:1)

Before God took Elijah miraculously by a whirlwind to heaven with His chariot and horses of fire, he asked Elisha, his successor, what he required from God through him. Elisha replied that he desired a double portion of Elijah’s spirit so that he would do double work than that of Elijah. Subsequently God blessed Elisha with double portion for his work for him. As Elisha began God’s work, by faith he prayed that God would part Jordan River. God miraculously parted the waters so that Elisha could walk on it dry after he had used Elijah’s mantle to strike at the the bank of Jordan. Indeed, let us seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and He shall fulfil all our needs. (Matthews 6:33)   

3. The Waters (2:16-25)
So the waters were healed unto this day, according to the saying of Elisha which he spake. (2:22)

The 2nd miracle was when God used Elisha to heal the contaminated waters after he had cast salt into it, so that the barren land miraculously became fertile. The 3rd miracle was when God immediately sent 2 female bears to destroy the 42 wicked and rebellious youth who had mocked at Elisha. Indeed, let us pray and commit everything to God, and He shall grant us all our needs and desires according to His perfect will. (Matthew 7:7-12)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that one day I shall be promoted to glorious heaven.