This final sermon of a 9-part series on the life of Elijah is taken from 2 Kings 2—the account of the LORD taking Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind. Too often, we allow death to limit or cloud our views of life, its meaning, and eternity. This sermon is not only an historical study of Elijah’s final earthly steps, but an encouragement to recognize that the same God who took Elijah has also promised to return and take us one day as well.
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words. (1 Thes 4:13-18)
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! (Rev 22:20)
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