What Happened to Elijah?

One moment, he was walking and talking with his disciple Elisha—the next, a chariot of fire and horses of fire blazed between them, and Elijah was swept into heaven in a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:11). He was gone. A prophecy in Malachi states, “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes” (Malachi 4:5). Because of this, there was an expectation that Elijah would return before the messiah came into the world. Jesus Himself quotes this Scripture, along with others, to say that John the Baptist was indeed the messenger that was foretold (Matthew 11:10). Also, centuries later, Elijah stood beside Moses on the mountain as Jesus was transfigured in glory in front of his disciples (Matthew 17). Elijah never saw death. In this way, God foreshadowed Jesus’s ascension into heaven. Just as Elijah was taken up into the sky, Jesus was brought up in a cloud (Acts 1:6–9). What might it look like to walk so closely with God that you’re ready when He calls you home?