Watching From Afar
- Rev. Dr. Teresa Allissa Citro
- Dec 27, 2019
- 4 min read
“Fifty men of the sons of the prophets also went and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan." -2 Kings 2:7
How is it possible to know something very significant is about to happen and totally miss it? As we read this story, it’s very possible. It amazes me Elijah and Elisha went through three towns. In each town, there were schools. I’m talking about Bible Schools with prophets. In this story, 150 prophets in total approached Elisha all knowing God was about to take Elijah that day, and yet none of them accompanied their great leader.
What’s even more astonishing is the last town and the 50 prophets there. They just stood from afar, watching. So what’s the problem with them just watching? They missed the greatest blessing of their lifetime. That was the biggest tragedy of their lives.
Friends, it’s very possible to miss the greatest blessings of our lives simply because we are not in tune with the Spirit of God. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity. To get as close as anyone could get to witness one of the greatest miracles. As God takes Elijah home, Elijah’s time on earth was up. He was about to pass from this realm to the next. All 150 prophets knew about it and none of them accompanied him. Really? Seriously? What kind of prophets were they? Sad!
The last 50 prophets even stood from afar and saw Elijah strike the Jordan River with his cloak, the Jordan River parted and Elijah and Elisha (the only prophet) who refused to leave his sight walked across the parted river on dry ground, safely onto the other side. What a miracle. You see, God’s real children walk in authority, power, and miracles. No river, sea, or ocean can stand in their way, understand?
Talk about an absolute dead spirit in the lives of the prophets! That’s, right, you can read my statement again. Just because you prophesy doesn’t make you wise in the deep things of God. No wonder God says, “You can have the gift of prophecy...and still have nothing.” Where was the love for the old prophet that was going to die? Elisha wasn’t going to leave him. Elisha was 1 of the 151 prophets who knew what was about to take place and wanted to be a part of what God was about to do. In doing so he received a double portion of the spirit residing in Elijah because he was in tune with God’s Spirit, and he saw the supernatural! Wow! Don’t you want this too? I do!
Well, miracle number two takes place. Elijah was suddenly taken up in a horse dawn carriage of fire up to heaven. Because Elisha witnessed that, he received Elijah’s mantle and to boot a double portion of his master’s power. And what were the last 50 prophets still doing? They were watching from afar as Elisha was returning to the Jordan River with Elijah’s mantle and performing his first miracle. Elisha now using his mantle to divide the river again for him to walk to the other side.Notice I said his mantle. Elijah was gone, and the blessing of double portion was now passed on him.
It’s so sad knowing something is about to happen and not participating is the greatest tragedy of life. One Hundred Fifty people lost being a part of two unbelievable miracles. Most importantly, they missed the blessing as Elijah was departing. Let me remind you that Abraham blessed his children before his death. Isaac blessed his children before his death, and Jacob blessed his children and Joseph’s children ( his grandchildren) before his death. Do you understand the importance of what those prophets missed?
Please understand, this still happens today in the spiritual realm. It doesn’t matter how great a preacher you are, prophet, apostle, or whatever your title might be. When God reveals something to you, it’s your responsibility to do something about it. There is a reason why God bothered to reveal it to you. It’s to bless you. However, it’s your responsibility, your choice to see it through, and receive the blessing.
Don’t be like the 150 prophets that missed out on what God would have wanted to give to them. There’s nothing more greater than His blessings. Don’t know truth and not act on it. I wonder how many of those 150 men regretted not being an “Elisha?” Don’t just know about what God is about to do, participate in it. Do it wholeheartedly in every revelation He gives you. Greatest miracles are found in God’s revelations. Move quickly once He shows you. Suddenly, Elijah was taken. Did you know suddenly things are taken because you refused to move? I’m sure they regretted just standing there watching from afar... Don’t just watch the blessings leave you.
Rev. Dr. Teresa Allissa Citro
Founder and President of Thread of Hope, Inc.
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