Elijah was translated at the end of his ministry. The scriptures say, "Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven" (2 Kings 2:11). I did some research in 3 Nephi 28 in the Book of Mormon and in the study guide for the Old Testament on what exactly "translation" means. Simply put, translation means to not taste of death. To it in common worldly terms it would mean to become immortal. But not in the sense that we become immortal at the Resurrection. Translated beings still go through a resurrection of sorts (it is different because they never die). Because it is not the same as resurrection, being taken up into heaven does not mean that Elijah was taken up into the Celestial glory. This will happen after the Resurrection, as with all of us.
I think the purpose for translated beings is to further the work of the Lord. In 3 Nephi 28, 3 apostles ask to be able to remain on earth indefinitely so that they can do His work. The Lord grants them their wish because they asked with sincere heart and good intentions. In their case, they remained on the earth to serve and do good. Elijah was taken up into heaven but we do know he comes to earth to restore the sealing power.
Elisha was to succeed Elijah the prophet after he was translated. Lord called him through Elijah the prophet (1 Kings 19: 16-21). Just before his translation, Elijah asked Elisha what his desire was. Elisha answered that his one desire was to given a double portion of Elijah's spirit (2 Kings 2:9). Elijah replied that if Elisha saw his translation that he would be given his desire (2 Kings 2:10). Elisha did witness Elijah being taken up into heaven (2 Kings 2:12). In verse 15 of 2 Kings 2, we find that Elisha's desire was granted unto him. When the sons of the prophets that he had met with earlier saw Elisha, they saw that the spirit of Elijah did rest upon him.
No comments:
Post a Comment