I am talking about the Double Portion Mantle in this series of blogs and will be addressing the questions we begin with but I want to briefly devote this blog to understanding God's prophetic time table, His movements in the affairs and history of man.
When Elijah passed the mantle to Elisha, as this new prophet was being groomed, Elijah took him to some places he had passed through in times past but now on his farewell journey, there were some things Elisha needed to know and understand, as well as those who would come into contact with this new prophet of God.
Whenever you see new kings arising, shifting in political spheres, geographical climates deteriorating and darkness on the rise, watch very carefully how the Spirit of God begins to move in these places.
In 2 Kings chapter 2 we find the places Elijah took Elisha, but first telling him to stay there. Elisha was determined to go to the end with his mentor because he understood for him to do what God was calling him to do, he needed what Elijah had AND some. We need to know what we need for our generation, amen?
The first place there were at was Gilgal. The name Gilgal means "wheel, rolling," It was here that Joshua circumcised the men of Israel who came out of the wilderness (another series). This was the place that God ROLLED AWAY their reproach. (Joshua 5:9) This is the place that Samuel judged Israel, Saul was anointed king here. What am I saying? Gilgal was a place where "moves" of God began. God was about to do a new thing in Israel. Gilgal had become a place of 'calf-worshipers' who had tried to substitute the real move of God with one of their own.
Anytime you do not understand the move of God in a generation, you will try to substitute something in its place.
The next place they came to was Bethel. The name Bethel means "house of God." This was the place that God's presence once abode. Sacrifice was made to Him in this place and the people worshiped the true God of heaven and earth in this sacred place but now it too had become a place of "calf-worshipers." Not only had it been turned into a place where the people of God had no respect for His house, they had no respect for His holy men. How do I know this? If they called Elisha "baldy" on his way back, don't you know they blasphemed these men of God on their way through the first time?
The last place they arrived before crossing Jordan was Jericho. The name means "pleasant place." It was a place of "fragrance" but now it had become a place where the waters were poisoned, dry and barren. Yet, there was a school of prophets here, as there also was in Bethel. How ironic that the prophets here could prophesy but they could not heal the waters.
I want to end this blog with a thought, just because gifts are present does not mean those operating in their gifts know the move of God's Spirit.