Elisha Vision – Commentary

What comes after the “days of Elijah?” There has been a great song around for the last decade celebrating Elijah, but he was the forerunner of something greater. We have been in the season of an Elijah anointing, but are now entering the season of Elisha. What do I mean by this? It is obviously important to me, since we call our ministry: Elisha Vision Ministries. But the revelation is in the name, Elisha, and his extraordinary ability to “see” in the supernatural dimension. What did he see that Elijah missed? Why was Elijah depressed after defeating the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel? And why is it so critical for us in 2013? Here is a little background.

Bible readers are familiar with the basic story of Elijah and Elisha, but there is much more revealed, simply from their Hebrew names. Elijah literally means “God is Yehovah.” El, or Elohim, is a somewhat generic reference to God and is sometimes used for other gods. Jah, or Yah (no “j” in Hebrew), is the short form of Yehovah, the personal name of the God of Israel, the God of the Bible. Elisha literally means “God is Yeshua.” The word is “salvation” but also just happens to be the name of the Son of God.

Here is an excerpt from my book, Generation LIFE.

“Elisha caught the mantle falling down as Elijah departed. Elisha returned to the banks of the Jordan River they had crossed just a little earlier. When Elijah had swung his mantle, the river stopped flowing, and they crossed on dry ground. Now Elisha was back at the River when he swung the mantle and cried out loud:

Then he took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, and said, “Where is Yehovah God of Elijah?” And when he also had struck the water, it was divided this way and that; and Elisha crossed over. 2 Kings 2:13-14

Elisha would not be satisfied with Elijah’s mantle as some relic or memory. It never was about Elijah, it was about Yehovah. The mantle was the connection, like the branch connects to the vine. But Elisha wanted the LIFE! He wanted the relationship Elijah had with Yehovah. He did not cry out for Elijah. He called for the God of Elijah. There was much work ahead and Elisha knew it was beyond his ability. He must connect to the Source! That is where we are today. This last section of the book is about being fruitful in the worst season this planet will ever see. We will never be functional without the Father’s faithful covenant love, the High Priestly intercession of Yeshua, and the authority and power of the Holy Spirit within us to literally manifest the God of Elijah.” (End excerpt)

We discover Elijah again in the New Testament when Jesus identifies John the Baptist as Elijah.

And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things. But I say to you that Elijah has come already, and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. Likewise the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them of John the Baptist . Matthew 17:10-13

If John fulfilled Elijah, then we again see Jesus as Elisha. So back to my headline today. Why Elisha beyond Elijah? We are no longer in the preparation stage of Elijah and John. All my life the people of God have been “preparing.” That was good, but that season is over! It is now time to function. To rephrase a cliché: Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of the KINGDOM! Or, to put it another way: Game on!

The scandals in Washington these days only confirm how late the hour. Make sure you have plenty of oil (Holy Spirit) in your lamp. Make sure the wick is trimmed. This is not a call to hunker down and hide, but rather the opposite. It is time wake up, stand up and speak up for righteousness.

Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits. Daniel 11:32

What great exploits has God assigned to you?