2 Reis 2

2 Reis 2

Morris - This was a unique event in history, and was altogether miraculous. Enoch, who had also served as God's prophet in a time of deep apostasy, had likewise been taken into heaven (the "third heaven" where God's throne is located) without dying, but evidently no one had actually observed his translation (Genesis 5:24; Hebrews 11:5) as did Elisha at the translation of Elijah. Enoch's ministry had been to the whole world, essentially at the mid-point of the period from Adam to Abraham. Elijah's ministry had been to Israel, essentially at the midpoint of the period from Abraham to Christ. Elijah was taken up in a fiery tornado that seemed to surround a fiery horse-drawn chariot as he went up until he was out of Elisha's sight. It has been assumed that Elijah and Enoch have both been supernaturally preserved alive in heaven ever since that time in their natural bodies. When the Lord Jesus returns, both dead and living believers will be translated into His presence, their bodies supernaturally changed into immortal bodies (1 Thessalonians 4:16,17; 1 Corinthians 15:51-54; Philippians 3:20,21). If Elijah and Enoch are presently in natural bodies, then it is possible that they will also return at this time to serve as His "two witnesses" on the earth during the 1260 days of great plagues that will quickly follow Jesus' return (see notes on Revelation 11:2-12). They will continue to be preserved alive to finish their unfinished testimony to both Israel and the Gentile world during that period. Finally, they will be slain and then they also will be raptured into heaven with immortalized bodies. Whirlwind (05591) (sa'ar from verb saar = to storm, rage) refers to a gale, heavy windstorm. God's wrath is often symbolized by stormy conditions in order to illustrate the power of his judgment (Ps. 107:25, 29; Isa. 29:6; Ezek. 1:4; Zech. 9:14), and sometimes He used actual storms to visit justice upon the wicked (Ezek. 13:11, 13). Therefore, the elements and the weather of the earth are ultimately subject to the wishes of the Almighty Creator (Ps. 148:8). Patterson - saʿar means "storm." It may reflect an original nominal root which underlies the Akkadian šārum "windstorm" and of which saʿar is a by-form. If so, se‘ārâ is a feminine derivative and sāʿar, a denominative verb. The root must be differentiated from the homonyms śāʿar "be acquainted with," and śāʿar "bristle." saʿar denotes a literal storm (Jonah 1:4, 12) or describes the Lord's wrath against the lying prophet (Jeremiah 23:19) or enemy nation (Amos 1:14), especially in the end times (Jeremiah 25:32; Jeremiah 30:23). The Psalmist prays for deliverance from the storms of life (Psalm 55:8 [H 9]). se‘ārâ. Windstorm. Used of a literal storm (Psalm 107:25ff.; Psalm 148:8) sometimes as a symbol of God's judgment (Isaiah 29:6). Its use as a theophany (Job 38:1; Job 40:6), renders more understandable Elijah's translation into heaven in a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:1, 11). sā‘ar. To storm. The root idea is found only in connection with the storm which occurred during Jonah's sea flight (Jonah 1:11ff.). Taking its meaning from a physical storm, sāʿar usually appears in contexts of upheaval and distress. The Assyrian king is "enraged" at having his secret plans for ambushing the Israelites thwarted (2 Kings 6:11). Habakkuk (Habakkuk 3:14) cites part of an ancient epic poem in describing God's triumph over his enemies who come like a "storm" against his people. While Hosea (Hosea 13:2-3) warns the Israelites of his day that because of their idolatry, God would send them away into exile as chaff driven by a "tempest" (cf. Zech. 2:8-13), Isaiah (Isaiah 54:11-14) prophesies that the God of all grace and compassion will yet restore his "storm" tossed and troubled people and establish them in righteousness in a land of unsurpassing beauty and safety. (See online Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament) Baker - saʿar, ‏סְעָרָה‎ se‘ārāh: I. A masculine noun meaning a stormy wind, a tempest, a whirlwind. It refers to a strong gale, a windstorm. It is used figuratively of one's enemies (Ps. 55:8[9]); of God's pursuit of them (Ps. 83:15[16]); and God's wrath in judgment (Jer. 23:19; Amos 1:14). It refers to a storm at sea (Jon. 1:4, 12). II. A feminine noun indicating a strong wind, a tempest, a whirlwind. It is similar to I. It indicates a powerful gale, high winds, a windstorm. It was such a whirlwind that took Elijah up to heaven (2 Ki. 2:1, 11). The Lord speaks from such a windstorm (Job 38:1; 40:6); and uses it to shield His presence (Ezek. 1:4; Zech. 9:14). It was God's tool at the Exodus (Ps. 107:25, 29); and His tool in judgment (Isa. 29:6; 40:24; Jer. 30:23). (The Complete Word Study Dictionary – Old Testament.) SA'AR - 16V - storm(6), storm winds(1), stormy(2), tempest(2), violent(2), whirlwind(3). 2 Ki. 2:1; 2 Ki. 2:11; Job 38:1; Job 40:6; Ps. 107:25; Ps. 107:29; Ps. 148:8; Isa. 29:6; Isa. 40:24; Isa. 41:16; Jer. 23:19; Jer. 30:23; Ezek. 1:4; Ezek. 13:11; Ezek. 13:13; Zech. 9:14 SA'AR IN KJV - 2 Ki. 2:1; 2 Ki. 2:11; Job 38:1; Job 40:6; Ps. 55:8; Ps. 83:15; Ps. 107:25; Ps. 107:29; Ps. 148:8; Isa. 29:6; Isa. 40:24; Isa. 41:16; Jer. 23:19; Jer. 25:32; Jer. 30:23; Ezek. 1:4; Ezek. 13:11; Ezek. 13:13; Amos 1:14; Jon. 1:4; Jon. 1:12; Zech. 9:14 James Smith - CHRIST’S ASCENSION AND ELIJAH’S 2 Kings 2:11 1. Elijah did not ascend; he was carried up. Jesus did ascend, without any outward sign to accompany His slow upward movement through the quiet air. 2. The Lord Jesus went up by His own power; not so Elijah. 3. Elijah left his cloak; the Lord Jesus left a benediction and sent His Holy Spirit. 4. When Christ went up on High He relinquished nothing of His activity for us; Elijah’s work was done when he was carried up on High. MacDuff - It was in a chariot of fire Elijah was taken to heaven (ED: POSSIBLY BUT PERHAPS IT WAS THE WHIRLWIND!). Is it not in a similar chariot, in a figurative sense, God takes many of His people still? He brings them, as He did Elijah, to the brink of Jordan; keeps them for years hovering amid the rough, rugged glens and gorges of trial; seats them in a flaming equipage; reins in the fiery horses until, in the fire, they are refined and purified as gold, and fitted for their radiant crowns.… It is the chariot of fire. As God’s loved ones enter it, He whispers in their ear, “Through much tribulation ye shall enter into the kingdom.” J R Miller - " 2 Kings 2:11 So the most loving friends must sometimes be parted. We walk on together, talking of a thousand things, not dreaming of separation, when suddenly, as we turn some sharp corner in the way, the 'chariot' is waiting, and one is taken and the other left! We ought not to forget the certainty of separationin every friendship we form. Some day one of the two will be taken, and the other must be left to weep by a grave and to walk on lonely and sorrowing after that. Another thought suggested here is, that heaven is not far away. One of the 'chariots' from the King's country came down that day to carry Elijah home. Another came down to the door of your house when your godly father died, or when mother or brother or sister died. We shall not leave this world as Elijah did, missing death; we shall have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death; but we shall have the heavenly chariot to bear away our freed spirit just as truly as he did.