“And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it and he cried, ‘My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horseman.’ And he saw him no more.”
– 2 Kings 2:11–12
So these are the last moments of Elijah in this world, as he and Elisha are walking and talking next to each other. And all of a sudden, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. Like, just try to picture that in your mind. What does a chariot of fire look like, led by horses of fire? And is that something you want to sit on? Like a chariot of fire led by horses of fire? Also this chariot picks up Elijah and carries him away, and he’s gone. Like what a scene as Elisha is just standing there watching all of this unfold.
God, help us to turn from sin today.
2 Kings 2:11–12 is one of those places in the Old Testament we just cannot stop here. Because as awesome as this scene is, we know that there’s coming a day, 1 Thessalonians 4 describes it as a day when the sky will split open. As well as, there will be a loud command, boom from the heavens, and the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise. Also, we who are alive will meet them in the air. And we will go to be with the Lord.
2 Kings 2:11–12 Reminds Us Jesus Is Coming Back
Jesus is coming back. This could happen at any moment, any day, at any time. In other words, a scene much greater than 2 Kings 2:11–12 could happen at any moment of today or tomorrow. And this should change the way we live today, and change the way we live tomorrow.
We live in anticipation of the coming of Jesus. This affects the way we think, what we desire, what we say, what we are doing at every moment. This reminds us to live today for what’s going to matter in that moment. Also it reminds us to live today for what’s going to matter forever. So, God, help us we pray to live today in view of your coming at any moment. Just as we see Jesus saying over and over again in the gospels, “Be ready, be ready, be ready.” God help us to be ready on that day.
This Verse Leads Us to Pray for Help Fleeing from Sin
God help us to flee sin as if Jesus’ return is imminent. Help us to run from sin, not to toy with sin in any way. Help us to turn from sin today. So Lord, help us to be faithful to proclaim the gospel. Other people around us who need to be saved from their sin, who need to be ready on that day. And God, we pray that you would help us to share the gospel with others right around us. So, God, we pray for the spread of the gospel to Hijazi Arabs in the UAE.
We pray for these 400,000 people, none of whom are followers of Christ at this moment that we know of. Also, God, we pray for the spread of the gospel to these Hijazi Arabs that they might be ready when Jesus comes back. Also, God, we pray for the spread of the gospel to all the nations, that all the peoples might know your salvation and be gathered around your throne on that day. Just as you have ordained it would be. Use our lives toward that end.
Lord to help us live today in view of eternity, to remember this world is not ultimately our home, not as it is now. That we’re not living for the pleasures, and pursuits, and possessions of this world. And God help us to fix our eyes on the world to come, on Jesus to come. And to live, to become more like him today, to lead others to him today, here and around the world, that he might be glorified maximally in us on that day. So come, Lord Jesus. So come quickly, we pray. We long for that day. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
David Platt serves as a pastor in metro Washington, D.C. He is the founder of Radical.
David received his Ph.D. from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and is the author of Don’t Hold Back, Radical, Follow Me, Counter Culture, Something Needs to Change, Before You Vote, as well as the multiple volumes of the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary series.
Along with his wife and children, he lives in the Washington, D.C. metro area.
