The principle of the Double Blessing is found several places in the Bible. The eldest son is to receive a Double Blessing. (Deuteronomy 21:15-17) The Lord promised Israel a Double Blessing through the prophets Isaiah and Zechariah. (Isaiah 61:1-7, Zechariah 9:12)

The story of righteous Job continues this theme. Job is a foreshadow, or picture, of the nation Israel. Job was very wealthy, but lost it all. But Job received back twice as much as he had before. (Job 42:10) Israel was extremely wealthy, but lost it all. Because the Lord is gracious, He has promised Israel a Double Blessing as shown in the Scripture references from Isaiah and Zechariah.

In the Word of God we are told of the translation, or rapture, of two men; Enoch and Elijah. (Genesis 5:24, Second Kings 2:11) Enoch walked with the Lord and was simply “taken” by the Lord. However, the taking of Elijah presents us with a different picture.

While the word used by Elijah (laqah Strong's H3947 – to take) is the same as is used with Enoch, the translation of Elijah is described in a much more dramatic way. Elijah went up to Heaven in a whirlwind with chariots of fire. It may be that Enoch was taken in the same manner, but we are not given the details.

The successor to Elijah was Elisha, who was with Elijah when he was taken up to Heaven. Elisha requested a double portion of the spirit that was on Elijah. He was told that if he saw Elijah being taken up to Heaven, then he would receive his request. This did come to pass. Elisha saw, and reported, the taking of Elijah to Heaven in a whirlwind. (Second Kings 2:9-12)

Various Bible scholars, using different criteria, report that Elijah performed eight, fourteen, or other numbers of miracles. Using the same criteria, these scholars report that Elisha performed sixteen, twenty-eight, or other doubled numbers of miracles. Elisha received a Double Blessing and performed twice as many miracles as the remarkable Prophet Elijah.

Remember that the Church is an insertion into the Lord’s great plan. The Church is an insertion, not a replacement. Israel was to be the bride of the Lord, but when the marriage covenant ( the Ten Commandments) was being given on Mount Sinai, Israel was committing adultery with the golden calf.

Again and again, Israel rebelled against her husband, the Lord. (Ezekiel 16:1-42) The Lord then turned to the Gentiles.

“I said, ‘Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name.’” – Isaiah 65:1

My son, Adam, discovered this wonderful picture in the Book of Second Kings. In this account of Elijah’s rapture, we find an interesting connection with the words of the Lord Jesus in the Olivet Discourse. Elisha was told if he saw Elijah going up into Heaven that Elisha would receive a Double Blessing.

When Jesus was foretelling events of the last days, He told how everyone in the world would see Him in the clouds, and see His angels gathering His elect. (Matthew 24:30-31) Everyone, in my opinion, will see the Church going up into Heaven. Maybe they will even see chariots of fire.

Included in “everyone” are the Israelites. They have been promised a Double Blessing, just as Elisha was if he saw. Matthew 24:30-31 says that they will see, and it is prophesied that in the Millennial Kingdom they will be doubly blessed. The Word tells us this. Therefore, the story of Elijah’s rapture is a foreshadow of the rapture of the Church. In my opinion, it is also a confirmation of the visible rapture of the Church.

Praise the Lord for inserting us, Gentiles, in His wonderful plan! Praise His name always!