A chariot of fire

Elijah knew that his time on earth was almost over. God had told him to train Elisha to take over his work as a prophet. As they stood at the edge of the Jordan River, Elijah took off his cloak, rolled it up, and struck the water with it. The river parted, and they crossed over on dry ground. As they walked together, Elijah asked Elisha, “What can I do for you before I am taken away from you?”

“Let me have even more of the Spirit’s power than you had,” Elisha replied.

Elijah said, “You have asked a hard thing, but if you see me when I am taken from you, God will give you what you have asked for.”

As they continued walking together, a chariot of fire pulled by horses suddenly appeared. Elijah was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind, and Elisha watched him go.

Is it possible to get to heaven without dying?

Most people want to go to heaven, but few think about how they would get there. To enter heaven, our bodies must be changed. God will give believers new heavenly bodies (1 Corinthians 15:53). Normally, this happens after our earthly bodies die. Elijah, however, went to heaven without dying. What an amazing way to go! If you had the choice, you would probably want to go that way too!

For believers, something similar will happen when Jesus comes for us. Jesus said that He will return in the clouds and take His people to be with Him. He will come at a time when no one expects Him, and all those who love Jesus will meet Him in the air. In an instant, we will be changed and will be with Him forever (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17). So be ready at all times, because you may be one of those who goes straight to heaven without experiencing death.

Verse for today

After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 1 Thessalonians 4:17

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