In 2 Kings 2:11, Elijah is taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire and horses of fire, a dramatic and supernatural departure. In contrast, Acts 1:9 describes Jesus (the Son of Man) ascending to heaven in a cloud, a more serene and symbolic image. Why are these two ascensions portrayed so differently in Scripture? From a theological or symbolic standpoint, does the fiery chariot imply greater honor and glory for Elijah, or does the cloud signify a higher divine status for Jesus? How do Christian traditions interpret the differences in these departure scenes? I’m especially interested in answers that consider biblical symbolism, typology, and theological meaning within the broader narrative of Scripture.

> Matthew 17:3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, > talking with Jesus. > > 4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you > wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one > for Elijah.” I am wondering how Peter recognized that the men were Elijah and Moses? Photographs and portraits didn't exist back in those days. If they did, Peter being a fisherman wouldn't have been to school to see them. And I doubt Moses and Elijah began their conversation by saying - "Hello Jesus, I am Elijah and this is my buddy Moses." So how would Peter know it was Elijah standing there?

**Matthew 27**: > **46** And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? > **47** Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias. During our Lord's crucifixion, people thought he was praying to Elijah. Nobody asks "what is this man doing? Prayer is only to God!". As some have commented, we do not know the faces of the people when they said that. They might have been horrified. Or they might not. That made me think: was it common and accepted to pray to Elijah during Jesus' times? If so, did they pray to other people and angels as well? Thank you very much!

We read in Mtt 17:1-3 (NKJV): > Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. It is implied that God the Father ordained Moses and Elijah to be part of the Transfiguration, with a special purpose. Moses had been dead and buried while Elijah was thought to be alive( Mtt 27:49). The former was associated with Law while the latter was considered as one of the greatest prophets. My question is : Whom and/or what did Moses and Elijah represent in the Transfiguration ?

James and Luke say the drought lasted for three and a half years. >Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years *(James 5:17 NLT)* >"Certainly there were many needy widows in Israel in Elijah's time, when the heavens were closed for three and a half years, and a severe famine devastated the land. *(Luke 4:25 NLT)* But according to the actual account in the Old Testament the drought was not even a full three years. >Now Elijah, who was from Tishbe in Gilead, told King Ahab, “As surely as the LORD, the God of Israel, lives—the God I serve—there will be no dew or rain during the next few years until I give the word!” *(1 Kings 17:1 NLT)* >Later on, IN THE THIRD YEAR of the drought, the LORD said to Elijah, “Go and present yourself to King Ahab. Tell him that I will soon send rain!” *(1 Kings 18:1 NLT)* >And soon the sky was black with clouds. A heavy wind brought a terrific rainstorm, and Ahab left quickly for Jezreel *(1 Kings 18:45 NLT)* So it was in the third year of the drought that the rains came ending it. Why do Luke and James both say the drought lasted 3 years and 6 months?

This question (and its answers) indicate that, according to Roman Catholicism, the two witnesses prophesied to come in Revelation 11:3 will almost certainly be Enoch and Elijah (Elias). > And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. Part of the reasoning leading to this notion is that neither of these man died physically but both were taken up into heaven alive and, since it is appointed for man once to die and then the judgement (Hebrews 9:27 ), it is within the integrity of Scripture for them to return where they will eventually be killed by the beast from the bottomless pit. > And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. - Revelation 11:7-10 This is coupled with the prophet Malachi (4:5) declaring: > Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: With the conclusion being that, even though they are not named in the Apocalypse, Elijah will almost certainly be one of the two end times witnesses because he has yet to die in fulfillment of Scripture and he is prophesied in Scripture to come again. Jesus, however, in Matthew 11:10-15 , clearly said that John the Baptist was the prophesied appearance of Elijah and directly quoted Malachi. We also know from Matthew 14 that John the Baptist was put to death by beheading. Additionally, at the transfiguration event recorded in Matthew 17 wherein Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus to three of the disciples, the disciples asked specifically why the scribes say that Elijah must come first and, once again, Jesus declared that John the Baptist **was** that coming of Elijah: > And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist. - Matthew 17:10-13 My question is: According to Roman Catholicism, since Elijah has already come back and died (fulfilling Malachi, Hebrews 9, and the RC argument literally), how many more times is Elijah coming back to earth to be killed and why?

Before Antichrist, Elias and Enoch will preach for 1,260 days: Apoc. 11:3 : >And I will give unto my two witnesses [Elias and Enoch], and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred sixty days, clothed in sackcloth What exactly will their preaching look like, according to Catholic commentators? Will it involve modern communication technologies like the internet, radio communication, etc.? Or will it be strictly word-of-mouth preaching?

Why did Jesus forbid his disciples to say goodbye to their families? Luk 9:59-62 NKJV >**59** Then He said to another, "Follow Me." But he said, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father." **60** Jesus said to him, "*Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.*" **61** And another also said, "Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go [and] bid them farewell who are at my house." **62** But Jesus said to him, "*No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."* Yet Elijah permitted Elisha to go back to his own family to say his farewells? 1Ki 19:19-20 NLT >**19** So Elijah went and found Elisha son of Shaphat plowing a field. There were twelve teams of oxen in the field, and Elisha was plowing with the twelfth team. Elijah went over to him and threw his cloak across his shoulders and then walked away. **20** Elisha left the oxen standing there, ran after Elijah, and said to him, "First let me go and kiss my father and mother good-bye, and then I will go with you!" Elijah replied, "**Go on back**, but think about what I have done to you."

Consider these two incidents: > — Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and **Elijah went up** by a whirlwind into heaven [*the sky*]. (*2 Kings 2:11*) > — [*A few years later*] And a letter came to him from Elijah the prophet, saying, … (*2 Chronicles 21:12*) > — [*Nearly 900 years later*] No one has ascended to heaven [*God's spiritual home*] but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. (*John 3:13*) and: > — Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of **the Lord caught Philip away**, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing. But Philip was found at Azotus. And passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea. (*Acts 8:39,40*) In both cases the person is taken away by God only to appear again later. How do those denominations that claim that Elijah went to God's heaven (the "third heaven") explain why they interpret the incident with Philip as exactly what it says, but not the incident with Elijah? --- ### Timeline Kings of Israel: - 852 Ahab (I7) dies. - 852 son Ahaziah (I8) becomes King of Israel. - 849 Ahaziah dies. - 850 Brother Johoram (I9) becomes king. - 840 Johoram dies. - 841 Jehu (I10), son of Jehoshaphat (not J4), becomes king. Kings of Judah: - 911 - Asa becomes (J3) king of Judah. - 870 - Asa dies. Son Jehoshaphat (J4) becomes king. - 853 - Son Jehoram (J5) becomes co-regent of Judah. - 849 - Jehoshaphat dies, Jehoram becomes king (and kills his brothers). - 842 - Jehoram dies. Son Ahaziah (J6 - AKA Jehoahaz) becomes king. - 841 - Ahaziah dies. Events: - 2 Kings 1 - Ahaziah (I8) is injured and dies in 849 B.C. as foretold by Elijah. - 2 Kings 2 - Elijah visits Jericho, crosses the Jordan, and is taken by a whirlwind. - 2 Kings 3 - Jehoshaphat (J4) meets with Jehoram (I9), and then visits Elijah. - 2 Chronicles 21 - After Jehoshaphat (J4) dies, Jehoram (J5) becomes king and later receives a letter from Elijah.

**Considering:** Matthew 11:13-15 (King James Version): > 13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 14 And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come. 15 He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. Matthew 17:12-13: > 12 But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. 13 Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist. **The Question:** How do Christian denominations interpret scriptures where Jesus said John is Elijah as anything other than indicating reincarnation? **Note** this is not a question about whether the Bible teaches reincarnation, nor whether the Bible says reincarnation is true, it is asking for how these verses are interpreted as anything other than reincarnation. It's actually looking for the opposite of affirming reincarnation. **Note:** - Though in John 1 John the Baptist said he is not Elijah it is common, under theories of reincarnation, for someone to not know they are reincarnated. - Though Elijah never died but was brought up to heaven, under theories of reincarnation a death is not required, only that a spirit once inhabiting a body inhabits another. Under some theories of reincarnation a spirit can inhabit multiple bodies simultaneously. - The passage in the Bible that states "a man dies once and then face judgement" (Heb 9:27) is irrelevant to this question as those that use it to claim that the Bible teaches against reincarnation are misunderstanding what a man is and what reincarnation is. A man is a combination of a Spirit, a Mind and a Body. A man dies once, the spirit may then be joined to another mind and body (i.e. reincarnated). The second man is a different man who will also die once. Furthermore in answers to this question: https://christianity.stackexchange.com/q/93215/60459 Heb 9:27 may not be stating a hard and fast rule.

I'm trying to get some perspectives on how these two scriptures can be resolved: > 1 Kings 19:11-12 NIV: > > The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of > the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful > wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, > but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an > earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the > earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after > the fire came a gentle whisper. > > > Ephesians 1:22-23 NIV: > > And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head > over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of > him who fills everything in every way. So, if God was not in the wind, earthquake, or fire how can he fill everything in every way? This may require a separate post but if God fills everything does he then fill Satan?

We read in 1 King 17:2-6: > Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah: “Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there.” So he did what the Lord had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook. Raven as such, is not treated as a clean bird , because of its diet of carrion. But the Lord's decision to delegate it for supply of provisions to the prophet, should have had a deeper significance. My question therefore is: Was there a special significance in God's choice of ravens for supply of provisions to prophet Elijah? Inputs from any denomination are welcome.

I've found two verses which seem to be contradictory, so I'm hoping someone can explain how they can be reconciled. > No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven--the Son of Man. *(John 3:13, NIV)* > > As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. *(2 Kings 2:11, NIV)* Jesus was well-versed in the Old Testament, so why would he say what he did in John 3:13? Is it possible that this was just a nasty tornado and Elijah was just not to be found (or elaborate metaphor for a "whirlwind" of an attack, ripping up dust like fire, from enemies and he was killed or kidnapped and killed)? Note that the NLT adds "and returned": > No one has ever gone to heaven and returned. But the Son of Man has come down from heaven. *(John 3:13, NLT)* But I don't know warranted this addition is, as [no other translations have it](http://biblehub.com/john/3-13.htm) .

As predicted by Jesus > Matthew 17:11: He answered, "Elijah does come, and he will restore all things." and > Malachi 4:5: See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. Now, as for Jesus's coming we will know him for sure, but how do we recognize Elijah when he will come? I think he is not one of the two witnesses of Rev 11, because in that time the tribulation should be already in place.

How did Elijah know that he was about to be taken by God? How did Elisha know this was going to happen? I could not find anything prior to 2 Kings 2:1 when Scripture states that Elijah was going to be taken up, and 2:9 when Elijah asks what he can do for Elisha before he is taken.

> "And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, also how he had executed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “**So let the gods do to me, and more also**, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.” And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there."-1 Kings 19:1-3 It's understandable how Jezebel got furious after realising that Elijah killed all her best prophets but if she was supposedly so angry about it, why did she decide to curse **herself**? Why not be explicit and tell Elijah that he should be killed without all of the fancy language? She certainly didn't put on this act when she decided to coldly organise Naboth's execution. Quite counterproductive for an ambitious queen hellbent on vengeance and bloodshed. Was Jezebel trying to get into Elijah's mind, trying to disturbingly suggest that maybe her god(s) truly existed? Or was it just simply her trying to sound self-righteously pious or conversely, being extremely nihilistic? Imagine the immense foolery Elijah had to put up with.

In the Bible it says: "As the Lord approached, a very powerful wind tore the mountains apart. It broke up the rocks. But the Lord wasn’t in the wind. After the wind, there was an earthquake. But the Lord wasn’t in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake, a fire came. But the Lord wasn’t in the fire. And after the fire, there was only a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his coat over his face. He went out and stood at the entrance to the cave. Then a voice said to him, “Elijah, what are you doing here?” So why did God appear in the whisper to Elijah? What would be the theological interpretation?

This morning in church the service was about Elijah with the Baal's prophets. I read this verse and some questions arose which I could not find an answer on. > 1 Kings 18:22 > Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men. The following questions arose: 1. Was the Bible already written in the time of Elijah? 2. If Elijah was the only prophet left, how can we make sure that the Baal's prophets did not corrupt the scriptures? And more in general, how can we make sure that none of the bad kings back in this time did not corrupt the scriptures?

Malachi 4:5: >I will send you the prophet Elijah. He will come before the day of the Lord arrives. It will be a great and terrifying day Jesus says in Matthew 11:14 >"and if you are willing to believe their message, John is Elijah, whose coming was predicted" Jesus says in Mathew 17:12 >But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” It's pretty clear from the above verses that John was Elijah reincarnated. Wouldn't the above verses imply that reincarnation is true?

In the synoptic gospels, Peter acknowledges that Jesus is the Messiah. > Matthew 16:15-17 (NASB) He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. > > Mark 8:27–30 (NASB) Jesus went out, along with His disciples, to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way He questioned His disciples, saying to them, “Who do people say that I am?” They told Him, saying, “John the Baptist; and others say Elijah; but others, one of the prophets.” And He continued by questioning them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter *answered and *said to Him, “You are the Christ.” And He warned them to tell no one about Him. > > Luke 9:18–21 And it happened that while He was praying alone, the disciples were with Him, and He questioned them, saying, “Who do the people say that I am?” They answered and said, “John the Baptist, and others say Elijah; but others, that one of the prophets of old has risen again.” And He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered and said, “The Christ of God.” But He warned them and instructed them not to tell this to anyone, It was apparently a secret, and Jesus instructed his disciples not to tell anyone. According to the chronology given by the synoptic gospels, other than those present at that moment, who was in on the secret?