Do you know a man in the Bible called prophet Elisha. Yes he was the prophet asking the prophet Elijah for a “double portion” of the anointing.
Elijah the prophet of fire - wooh, the was a man with great power and anointing. He was the man that went away with the chariots of fire as Elijah was taken to heaven in a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:11). Elija wanted something very special, He wanted double portion of Elijah's power waoo - But you know what - Yes, Elijah received his request. Elijah’s mantle was his. And Scripture records the mighty exploits that occurred through the life of the servant from that point forward.
Fast forward to 2018. Have you ever read the account of Elisha and wondered, “Is a double portion of God’s anointing available for me?”
I am convinced that it is! And it is my prayer that you will understand how to move into a greater anointing as we go through the teaching God has placed on my heart to share with you.
Elisha was well-prepared for the moment when he accepted Elijah’s call (1 Kings 19). For the next seven or eight years, Elisha became Elijah’s close attendant until Elijah was taken up into heaven (2 Kings 2). Yet during all this time, we hear nothing of Elisha except in connection with the closing scenes of Elijah’s life.
What preparation did Elisha experience? More importantly, what decisions did he have to make in order to be prepared for the double-portion anointing?
Sure, many people pray like Elisha: “Lord, give me a double portion of Your anointing.” Yet they do not realize the preparation that is involved for such a miraculous thing to occur.
Here are seven crucial things that happened in the life of Elisha before God allowed him to receive “the double portion” anointing:
#1 Elisha faced the spirit of the enemy.
Elijah and Elisha confronted the same enemy—the spirit of Jezebel. Elijah faced a demonic spirit through this woman that once caused him to flee for his life (1 Kings 19).
Who is Jezebel today?
The Lord told the church at Thyatira:
“I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols” (Revelation 2:20 ).
It is clear from this portion of Scripture that Jezebel is the spirit of filth and fornication that we must fight even today. Only by the anointing can that spirit be overcome.
Elisha faced the spirit of this enemy. So must we today as we seek to prepare for a greater anointing.
#2 Elisha relied on God.
Before Elijah was taken up into heaven, Elisha declared his loyalty and devotion to God by repeating these words: “As the Lord lives” (2 Kings 2:2,4,6).
You’ll never receive God’s anointing until you learn to totally depend on Him. Elisha had a wonderful role model in the prophet Elijah—the one who stood before the 450 prophets of Baal and declared:
“Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and I am Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your word” (1 Kings 18:36 ).
That’s when the fire fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice.
What a powerful moment in history, and what an awesome time of preparation for Elisha’s own “double-portion” ministry!
#3 Elisha learned how to serve.
Long before he was called to become the servant of Elijah (1 Kings 19:19 ), we are told that he was experienced at hard work. When Elijah came upon the younger man, Elisha was plowing in a field, apparently from a well-to-do family, since they had enough land to require 12 yoke of oxen, or a total of 24 draft animals.
Can you imagine? Oxen are massive beasts renowned for their strength, durability, and working ability. I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase “strong as an ox.” Each of them undoubtedly weighed between 1,500 and 3,000 pounds. And here was Elisha out in the field controlling all this rolling beef-power.
If his family was wealthy, it stands to reason that he could have stayed at home while the hired help toiled in the fields, but Elisha was obviously a hard worker who didn’t shirk his responsibility.
hands working crops
In the Bible, plowing and praying and serving all go hand in hand. Scripture tells us to:
“Break up your follow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord” (Hosea 10:12 ).
Leaving behind the life as a well-to-do farmer was no easy decision, yet the moment he committed himself to Elijah, he became the older prophet’s servant.
To the very end, right before Elijah was taken to heaven in a chariot of fire, Elisha vowed that he would not leave the older prophet’s side. The loyal servant declared,
“As the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you” (2 Kings 2:4 ).
He was saying, “As long as you remain anointed and alive, I will not depart from you nor stop serving you.”
Do you want a greater anointing? Serve! Be a worker! Get involved in your church. When you serve and pour yourself unselfishly into others, you are also sowing into your own life the seed for an anointing that one day will grow greater and greater!
#4 Elisha was a man of faith.
In the final days before Elijah’s departure, Elisha—over the prophet’s objections—stayed with him as he journeyed to four places: Gilgal, Bethel, Jericho, and the Jordan. Each has a special meaning.
In the Old Testament, Gilgal was often the place where faith began. It’s where the manna ceased and the children of Israel had to learn to live by faith and not by sight (Joshua 5). For 40 years, they had seen a cloud by day, a fire by night, and manna on the ground. Then it was over. A new day signaled a different plateau of faith.
And so it is with us. The anointing will not come on our lives until we begin to walk by faith!
#5 Elisha knew what it meant to be tested.
Toward the end of Elijah’s life on earth, he and Elisha travelled from Gilgal to Bethel—yet Elisha still would not leave the prophet’s side.
In the Old Testament, Bethel was often the place of trials and tests. It’s where Jacob fled when he was running away from his brother Isaac. He had lost his family and a comfortable life and was sleeping in the open with a rock for a pillow. It was at Bethel that Jacob made a vow that if the Lord would allow him to:
“Come again to my father’s house in peace, then shall the Lord be my God” (Genesis 28:21).
We will also be tested before God will entrust us with greater outpourings of His anointing!
#6 Elisha knew how to wage warfare.
The two men of God journeyed from Gilgal to Bethel, then to Jericho—the place of warfare. Jericho was the place where Joshua fought what many still consider to be his greatest battle (Joshua 6).
Though his prowess with an actual sword and shield is not known, we do know that Elisha became a man of war in the spirit. He understood the power that belongs to every believer that can unlock chains and open doors.
Like Elisha, we need to realize that:
“The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:4 ).
When the demons of hell come against you, stay strong and declare, “I will not let this thing bring me down. I will not be defeated. I’m trusting God for a greater anointing that will bring the victory!”
#7 Elisha had a vision.
Continuing the journey Elijah and Elisha took near the end of the older prophet’s earthly life, it’s significant that they journeyed from Gilgal to Bethel and Jericho. Finally, they traveled to the banks of the river Jordan where the Lord tested Elisha’s vision.
Was his vision of man, or of God?
The prophet said to the servant, “Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?” Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me” (2 Kings 2:9 ).
Elijah responded:
“You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you” (2 Kings 2:10 ).
In other words, “If your vision is clear and your eyes are on things above, you’ll receive it!”
Habakkuk 2:2 declares, “write the vision and make it plain,” and what we learn from this verse we also see embodied in Elisha’s life, for here are the main keys to seeing a vision fulfilled:
women writing outside
The vision must be clear and plain. It cannot be cloudy, uncertain, or filled with doubt.
The vision requires that you move forward without hesitation to receive it when God guides. The closer you get to seeing a vision fulfilled, your prayer life must intensify. Walking is prayer, but running is intensified prayer.
The vision is for “an appointed time.” Wait for it. Never give up. Your faith is vital for the vision’s fulfillment. And when the time is right, run toward it!
When the prophet Elijah was raptured—caught up into the heavens in a chariot of fire—Elisha had the presence of mind to not be overwhelmed by what he was seeing, but he made sure to keep his eyes on grabbing Elijah’s mantle that was left behind.
We are told that he couldn’t wait to test the promised double-portion anointing. He walked to the same river where he had seen the prophet Elijah use the mantle to separate the waters, then he asked, “Where is the Lord God of Elijah?” Miraculously, the waters of the Jordan parted (2 Kings 2:14 ).
As you seek God and hunger for more of Him, He will fill you to overflowing and give a greater anointing. And the glory that awaits you as that infilling increases can only be experienced, for it is beyond description!
That is my prayer for you—that this teaching will create a hunger for a deeper walk with the Lord, and that you will receive God’s increasingly precious anointing as you apply the Word of God to every area of your life!
God Has Massive Work for Us to do During the Coming Months
As your faith grows stronger, please understand that Jesus knows everything about you. You are His treasure. He even knows the number of hairs on your head (Matthew 10:29-31 ). He desires to pour out His blessings upon you in ways you cannot imagine so you can be a blessing to others, especially as you grow your faith by giving to help take the message of salvation and miracles to a lost, hungry, and hurting world.
Elijah the prophet of fire - wooh, the was a man with great power and anointing. He was the man that went away with the chariots of fire as Elijah was taken to heaven in a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:11). Elija wanted something very special, He wanted double portion of Elijah's power waoo - But you know what - Yes, Elijah received his request. Elijah’s mantle was his. And Scripture records the mighty exploits that occurred through the life of the servant from that point forward.
Fast forward to 2018. Have you ever read the account of Elisha and wondered, “Is a double portion of God’s anointing available for me?”
I am convinced that it is! And it is my prayer that you will understand how to move into a greater anointing as we go through the teaching God has placed on my heart to share with you.
Elisha was well-prepared for the moment when he accepted Elijah’s call (1 Kings 19). For the next seven or eight years, Elisha became Elijah’s close attendant until Elijah was taken up into heaven (2 Kings 2). Yet during all this time, we hear nothing of Elisha except in connection with the closing scenes of Elijah’s life.
What preparation did Elisha experience? More importantly, what decisions did he have to make in order to be prepared for the double-portion anointing?
Sure, many people pray like Elisha: “Lord, give me a double portion of Your anointing.” Yet they do not realize the preparation that is involved for such a miraculous thing to occur.
Here are seven crucial things that happened in the life of Elisha before God allowed him to receive “the double portion” anointing:
#1 Elisha faced the spirit of the enemy.
Elijah and Elisha confronted the same enemy—the spirit of Jezebel. Elijah faced a demonic spirit through this woman that once caused him to flee for his life (1 Kings 19).
Who is Jezebel today?
The Lord told the church at Thyatira:
“I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols” (Revelation 2:20 ).
It is clear from this portion of Scripture that Jezebel is the spirit of filth and fornication that we must fight even today. Only by the anointing can that spirit be overcome.
Elisha faced the spirit of this enemy. So must we today as we seek to prepare for a greater anointing.
#2 Elisha relied on God.
Before Elijah was taken up into heaven, Elisha declared his loyalty and devotion to God by repeating these words: “As the Lord lives” (2 Kings 2:2,4,6).
You’ll never receive God’s anointing until you learn to totally depend on Him. Elisha had a wonderful role model in the prophet Elijah—the one who stood before the 450 prophets of Baal and declared:
“Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and I am Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your word” (1 Kings 18:36 ).
That’s when the fire fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice.
What a powerful moment in history, and what an awesome time of preparation for Elisha’s own “double-portion” ministry!
#3 Elisha learned how to serve.
Long before he was called to become the servant of Elijah (1 Kings 19:19 ), we are told that he was experienced at hard work. When Elijah came upon the younger man, Elisha was plowing in a field, apparently from a well-to-do family, since they had enough land to require 12 yoke of oxen, or a total of 24 draft animals.
Can you imagine? Oxen are massive beasts renowned for their strength, durability, and working ability. I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase “strong as an ox.” Each of them undoubtedly weighed between 1,500 and 3,000 pounds. And here was Elisha out in the field controlling all this rolling beef-power.
If his family was wealthy, it stands to reason that he could have stayed at home while the hired help toiled in the fields, but Elisha was obviously a hard worker who didn’t shirk his responsibility.
hands working crops
In the Bible, plowing and praying and serving all go hand in hand. Scripture tells us to:
“Break up your follow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord” (Hosea 10:12 ).
Leaving behind the life as a well-to-do farmer was no easy decision, yet the moment he committed himself to Elijah, he became the older prophet’s servant.
To the very end, right before Elijah was taken to heaven in a chariot of fire, Elisha vowed that he would not leave the older prophet’s side. The loyal servant declared,
“As the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you” (2 Kings 2:4 ).
He was saying, “As long as you remain anointed and alive, I will not depart from you nor stop serving you.”
Do you want a greater anointing? Serve! Be a worker! Get involved in your church. When you serve and pour yourself unselfishly into others, you are also sowing into your own life the seed for an anointing that one day will grow greater and greater!
#4 Elisha was a man of faith.
In the final days before Elijah’s departure, Elisha—over the prophet’s objections—stayed with him as he journeyed to four places: Gilgal, Bethel, Jericho, and the Jordan. Each has a special meaning.
In the Old Testament, Gilgal was often the place where faith began. It’s where the manna ceased and the children of Israel had to learn to live by faith and not by sight (Joshua 5). For 40 years, they had seen a cloud by day, a fire by night, and manna on the ground. Then it was over. A new day signaled a different plateau of faith.
And so it is with us. The anointing will not come on our lives until we begin to walk by faith!
#5 Elisha knew what it meant to be tested.
Toward the end of Elijah’s life on earth, he and Elisha travelled from Gilgal to Bethel—yet Elisha still would not leave the prophet’s side.
In the Old Testament, Bethel was often the place of trials and tests. It’s where Jacob fled when he was running away from his brother Isaac. He had lost his family and a comfortable life and was sleeping in the open with a rock for a pillow. It was at Bethel that Jacob made a vow that if the Lord would allow him to:
“Come again to my father’s house in peace, then shall the Lord be my God” (Genesis 28:21).
We will also be tested before God will entrust us with greater outpourings of His anointing!
#6 Elisha knew how to wage warfare.
The two men of God journeyed from Gilgal to Bethel, then to Jericho—the place of warfare. Jericho was the place where Joshua fought what many still consider to be his greatest battle (Joshua 6).
Though his prowess with an actual sword and shield is not known, we do know that Elisha became a man of war in the spirit. He understood the power that belongs to every believer that can unlock chains and open doors.
Like Elisha, we need to realize that:
“The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:4 ).
When the demons of hell come against you, stay strong and declare, “I will not let this thing bring me down. I will not be defeated. I’m trusting God for a greater anointing that will bring the victory!”
#7 Elisha had a vision.
Continuing the journey Elijah and Elisha took near the end of the older prophet’s earthly life, it’s significant that they journeyed from Gilgal to Bethel and Jericho. Finally, they traveled to the banks of the river Jordan where the Lord tested Elisha’s vision.
Was his vision of man, or of God?
The prophet said to the servant, “Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?” Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me” (2 Kings 2:9 ).
Elijah responded:
“You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you” (2 Kings 2:10 ).
In other words, “If your vision is clear and your eyes are on things above, you’ll receive it!”
Habakkuk 2:2 declares, “write the vision and make it plain,” and what we learn from this verse we also see embodied in Elisha’s life, for here are the main keys to seeing a vision fulfilled:
women writing outside
The vision must be clear and plain. It cannot be cloudy, uncertain, or filled with doubt.
The vision requires that you move forward without hesitation to receive it when God guides. The closer you get to seeing a vision fulfilled, your prayer life must intensify. Walking is prayer, but running is intensified prayer.
The vision is for “an appointed time.” Wait for it. Never give up. Your faith is vital for the vision’s fulfillment. And when the time is right, run toward it!
When the prophet Elijah was raptured—caught up into the heavens in a chariot of fire—Elisha had the presence of mind to not be overwhelmed by what he was seeing, but he made sure to keep his eyes on grabbing Elijah’s mantle that was left behind.
We are told that he couldn’t wait to test the promised double-portion anointing. He walked to the same river where he had seen the prophet Elijah use the mantle to separate the waters, then he asked, “Where is the Lord God of Elijah?” Miraculously, the waters of the Jordan parted (2 Kings 2:14 ).
As you seek God and hunger for more of Him, He will fill you to overflowing and give a greater anointing. And the glory that awaits you as that infilling increases can only be experienced, for it is beyond description!
That is my prayer for you—that this teaching will create a hunger for a deeper walk with the Lord, and that you will receive God’s increasingly precious anointing as you apply the Word of God to every area of your life!
God Has Massive Work for Us to do During the Coming Months
As your faith grows stronger, please understand that Jesus knows everything about you. You are His treasure. He even knows the number of hairs on your head (Matthew 10:29-31 ). He desires to pour out His blessings upon you in ways you cannot imagine so you can be a blessing to others, especially as you grow your faith by giving to help take the message of salvation and miracles to a lost, hungry, and hurting world.
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