2 Kings Overview Part 2 - Raising Disciples By The Message of Accessing and Judging The Era

We have this most blessed meeting in the week and I see that you understand the message so well, even though it is profound. God has led us this way, therefore, I encourage you to commit to this meeting and not miss any meetings.

Passage Reading

2Kg. 2:2 When the LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal.

2Kg. 2:2 Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here; the LORD has sent me to Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel.

2Kg. 2:3 The company of the prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and asked, “Do you know that the LORD is going to take your master from you today?” “Yes, I know,” Elisha replied, “but do not speak of it.”

This was a very important time, so Elisha knew that he has to be still and watch. The Lord was going to do very great works.

2Kg. 2:4 Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here, Elisha; the LORD has sent me to Jericho.” And he replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So they went to Jericho.

2Kg. 2:5 The company of the prophets at Jericho went up to Elisha and asked him, “Do you know that the LORD is going to take your master from you today?” “Yes, I know,” he replied, “but do not speak of it.”

Have you seen? Bethel had prophets, and Jericho had prophets, too. God was testing Elisha; it was not that the Lord was nagging.

2Kg. 2:6 Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here; the LORD has sent me to the Jordan.” And he replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them walked on.

2Kg. 2:7 Fifty men of the company of the prophets went and stood at a distance, facing the place where Elijah and Elisha had stopped at the Jordan.

2Kg. 2:8 Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up and struck the water with it. The water divided to the right and to the left, and the two of them crossed over on dry ground.

2Kg. 2:9 When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?” “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied.

“Let the word that has convicted you convict me so that I may know the perfect will of the Lord well, and so that I may submit and follow it!” Elisha said.

2Kg. 2:10 “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah said, “yet if you see

me when I am taken from you, it will be yours — otherwise not.”

This is so that no one can boast because everything is done by the Lord.

2Kg. 2:11 As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.

2Kg. 2:12 Elisha saw this and cried out, “My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!” And Elisha saw him no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them apart.

2Kg. 2:13 He picked up the cloak that had fallen from Elijah and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan.

2Kg. 2:14 Then he took the cloak that had fallen from him and struck the water with it. “Where now is the LORD, the God of Elijah?” he asked. When he struck the water, it divided to the right and to the left, and he crossed over.

The same miracle proved that Elisha had inherited Elijah’s spirit of promise, power and serving.

2Kg. 2:15 The company of the prophets from Jericho, who were watching, said, “The spirit of Elijah is resting on Elisha.” And they went to meet him and bowed to the ground before him.

2Kg. 2:16 “Look,” they said, “we your servants have fifty able men. Let them go and look for your master. Perhaps the Spirit of the LORD has picked him up and set him down on some mountain or in some valley.” “No,” Elisha replied, “do not send them.”

2Kg. 2:17 But they persisted until he was too ashamed to refuse. So he said, “Send them.” And they sent fifty men, who searched for three days but did not find him.

The important thing is not Moses, but Moses’ life and message.

When I was about 21 years old, an age of turning point in my life, I heard a message from Stephen Tong that said, “If you have asked that if the spirit that convicted me has convicted you, the churches in Singapore has hope!” I did not just believe out of context, because I was convicted by all the content of his message that day - how weak this generation of churches and even myself. One day, also, the messages that came from Rev Leechull that had always made me sleep, woke me up. The spirit from such teachers and pastors came upon me. We must read 2 Kings this way. Without the spirit continuing to pass down like this, how can this generation continue in goodness? We must receive a double portion of the spirit from our teachers. If you rise up, the churches in Singapore will be different.

When Elijah was weakest in his serving, he received the greatest vision of the era. He was most discouraged then and he prayed to die under the broom tree, “I did so much and I am the only one left. No one wanted to hear the Emmanuel message!” The LORD said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet.” Hazael was anointed by Elisha and not by Elijah. Jehu was anointed not by Elisha but by one of the prophets after Elisha. Why is it this way? We must know that when God told that to Elijah, God meant to say to the church, for Elijah represented the church. That is, God did not speak to Elijah alone selfishly. We must realize that we, the main characters - the church, inherit God’s promise.

Success and Failure: Inheritance Belief

This is the reason why the bible always records genealogy. Joshua chapter 1 says, “Moses has died... I am with you...” Mt 28:18-20 “All authority... now go...”

1) Life (Abraham, Moses, David, Jesus Christ)

Message -> Hearts and Minds -> Judgment, Result

Without the correct message, the spirit and promise will not follow.

*Emmanuel (With us, Identity - Child of God, Belonging)

The message must come from Emmanuel. With this, true power will come then.

= Passive: heard the word -> believe the word

If you have heard and therefore you believe, the Lord has convicted you, otherwise you have used your own strength. With such a belief, we go home to our families and use such a fixed perspective to see our relationships. Then we can say that this is from the Spirit.

2) Power

Power, wisdom and anointing come this way. When does power come about? It comes when you pray, “Our Father in Heaven”.

Prayer (Confirm, Test and Approve, Submit, Cast to God, Anticipate)

Power does not come from asking, but from confirming. When you are able to confirm and see, you will be happy. If not, you will be in sufferings. Prayer is not abstract, but it is practically confirming and testing/approving. “The Lord is more concerned than me for my work and my family, therefore I just cast everything to God.” If our brothers and sisters anticipate, the life will be very beautiful to behold.

= Respond to God

3) Serving = Living (RSYRJG): Living Sacrifice -> Doors of Evangelism open

= God-driven

* All my message preparations come from here, the principles of Life, Power and Serving.

2 Kings Overview

There are 3 main points (refer to the handouts).

1) Era and Prophets (must discern the messages of prophets)

2) The destruction of Israel (must know the reason why religion cannot help)

3) The captivity of Judah (must know the reason why believers who are born again will weaken)

1. Era and prophets: Warnings, God’s Will

1) 1 Kings: Solomon, 2 Kings: Elisha => Inherit

Ahaziah fell and enquired Baal whether he would get well. The Lord became angry and warned him through Elisha, “Isn’t there God in Israel, why have you gone and find evil gods? You will surely die.” And he died.

(1) Judgment

(2) Elisha Inherited: Tested

If you are to be used by God, God will test you. Have you counted how many times God had tested you so that you are this blessed today? If the preacher is really preaching the Emmanuel message of God, all the motives will be revealed and these will come and “haunt” us in the form of tests. Therefore, only those who passed the test can inherit. Why do people fail the test?

(i) Some people say, “Nothing happened. I am still weak.” This is because they look at fruits and the outcome rather than base themselves on the word of God.

(ii) The test has been too tough for them to handle.

Sometimes, the pastor will ignore you with purpose. Even though there may be times of sadness because the servant of the Lord does not look well upon you, if your foundation is on the joy of having the Lord, you will have passed the test. You will have realized, “The Lord is the one and only (that matters) to have looked well upon me and loved me.” We must really know, that even with blessed messages, people will be hurt. This is because we hear the messages and live together like this. Elisha passed the test and therefore, he inherited the following:

Life (system) -> Power (wisdom/perfect will) -> Serving (Disciples)

Elisha inherited the power so that he knew what to say in front of kings, and he inherited the best ministry (discipleship training). However, the most important is the life system, as the pastors and leaders themselves are nothing. Amidst the ministries, there will be difficulties. Apostles and the persecutions that they go through will have their faith inherited.

2) Double portion of spiritual power -> 10 miracles => 2 purposes of miracles: judgment/discipline, bless God’s people

Do not admire me, but I am only an example of a person who will receive spiritual power because of God.

i. Divided Jordan River <2:13-14> The Elisha who succeeded Elijah / received double portion of spiritual power (because followed to the end..)

ii. Healed Jericho spring <2:19-22> Earnestly hope for the renewal of Israel (Jericho was a city under curses and sins)

iii. Bears mauled 42 youths <2:23-25> Forewarned about the judgment to come

Bethel used to be the most blessed city, but even the kids made fun of the man of God.

iv. The widow of a man from the company of the prophets <4:1-7> God’s people are unable to be in want/ Father God’s constant care and help..

v. Shunammite woman <4:8-37> The faith of the woman and her hospitality -> God’s blessings / received a son (inheritance) / made son died and resurrected

The miracle of Mount Moriah (Abraham) was given to the Shunammite woman.

vi. Removed poison from the company of the prophets <4:38-41> Used 20 loaves of bread to feed 100 men <4:42-44> Despite the famine period, God’s people and workers experienced miracles

vii. Healed General Naaman <5:1-19> At a time when Israelites could not be healed, a Gentile general was healed instead (through the testimony of a servant girl)

This is an emphasis of the Lord.

viii. Made iron axhead float <6:1-7> The challenges faced in the process of serving God became their testimonies instead

Those of us who serve the Lord will surely experience this.

ix. In the city of Dothan <6:8-23> God’s people who were already victorious / saw through the schemes of the enemies/ spiritual battle = fought the battle with fixed perspective <Eph 6:10-18> / those present with us (angels, heavenly troops, horses and chariots of fire), more than those present with them <Mt 18:10, Rev 1:12-20>

All these were to teach and raise disciples. We must not look even at our environment conditions.

x. Displayed power even after death <13:20-21> He still interceded for Israel/ his prophecy will all be fulfilled

The more important thing is not the miracles but the reason or purpose of the miracles. The era was not normal; therefore, such miracles were needed. If your family became well because of the pastor’s words, do not anticipate the pastor himself, because the reason of God is to let you know who is leading the church and to tell you that you must listen well to the pastor’s message.

=> 2 purposes of miracles: judgment/discipline, bless God’s people

One was to judge Israel and quicken the pace to which Israel would be destroyed. Another purpose was to bless God’s people, who really wanted to hear the message and equip themselves with the skeleton of the 36 lessons. Such people will definitely become the leaders of the church.

3) Raise Disciples

(1) Restore 3 cores of our Christian Belief: Presence=life / power=prayer / service=walking

(2) Message (Emmanuel) vs Jeroboam

We must differentiate the message that is spoken in our era. There are a lot of voices but our message must be able to differentiate these.

(3) Find out 7000 persons that God has prepared (Evangelism movement)

Quick recap:

1) Have we inherited correctly? If we have inherited life, power and serving, though it may not be clear at first, you will accelerate.

2) If you have inherited correctly, go on to raising disciples, who performed 10 miracles for showing and raising disciples. Jesus Christ fed 5000, but only appeared to 500 after resurrection. Out of these, 120 met in Mark’s upper room, but 70 of them actually experienced driving evil spirits when they walked and preached, and deacon Philip was probably in the midst. Out of these were the 12 apostles, and out of these were the 3 apostles. Among these 3, God used Peter first. God’s method is always concentrated on the small numbers. Without these small numbers, there will not be 12 disciples, the prayers of 120, ... and 5000 who believed. God passed down the covenant to a few people (Moses, Joshua/Caleb, ...) as inheritance. If you are a single parent, are you willing to become the one parent to influence all single parents?

Then, there was already the completed Pentateuch (Moses’ 5 books). The books of poetry were also already completed. David’s psalms always revealed the salvation, sanctification and the victory of the saints. There was also the partial history books then - Joshua, Judges, 1,2 Samuel, 1 Kings (the Israelites loved to write about history). Prophets were those who loved to read the bible and meditate on them. One day, a voice came to Elisha. If he and the prophets did not have the foundation of the bible, how would they know that what they heard were the voices from the Lord, or from Satan? (In those days, because the bible has not fully been completed, God still revealed to people in voices). Therefore, if you pray for your small group, you must have the foundation to lead them. Some churches say they have prophets, that they hear the actual voices of God. No, they are the same as the shamans if they just say whatever they hear without any basis. If you do not have the foundation of the bible, how can God use you in this era? Therefore, we must know the skeleton of the bible so that we can know the bible correctly. We know through the 36 lessons. Then, through reading the bible, we add flesh and receive a lot of wisdom. The life you experience today for 24 hours is seen from the bible. The bible is living and is thus read this very way. Connecting up, we will naturally not look at our life abstractly and say, “God will surely use me in this era”, but with a basis/ foundation, we will be able to confirm our lives how “God will surely use me in this era”. Then the bible will be alive.

I had my birthday this week and many of you celebrated for me. Therefore, I must bless you. In about the 10 years from 21 years old until now, God opened my eyes. God used me first and I know what the Lord is doing in my life. All the messages that I preach have already been accomplished on the churches of this era for these 10 years. This is because I have seen evidently the mystical, legalistic, and humanistic ways that have deceived the present churches. This is not my doing. Therefore, I pray and receive an understanding that for the next 10 years, some churches will even be torn apart. The perfect will of the Lord is not a family church where one group is just closed up and are happy with their state of caring for one another. There is only a true family church if it is walking in the big vision that God has purposed. Roughly when I am in my 40-50s, I know the stronghold of Satan in the Buddhism, other religions and cults will be torn down by the revival of the churches of this era. In Acts, this is the second step. After this, the third step will be the conquest of politics or the great nations (Rome). This is my wish before the Lord, but may the Lord accomplish if He may. This is not abstract but with foundation, God has faithfully been fulfilling till now. I have continually heard this as I teach Acts, bible overview, etc, and I tell this to you first even though we do not look like this now. Haven’t we been proven now that our life is not false? Therefore, let us take down our old self and run with the promise of Jesus Christ. Let us see and review this every 10 years. Sisters, too, do not belittle yourselves because of your roles, else you will only look at jewelry and go shopping and have such joy o fulfill your hearts. Be deep in your roles and men will want to hear about the gospel you experienced. Without this vision, you will be in sorrows because of small things. If a preacher has vision, even though the church may divide, he will not be moved.

4) Shunammite woman (real Israelite)

-> able to recognize God’s servant (message, providence, captivity, testify)

-> dark era, problems <Is 6> -> answer, testimonies, wisdom

The Shunammite woman was like our Ronnie and June, who were notable and blessed by God in all ways because of their sorrows for people around them. If we are blessed in material things, you will know the purpose why God has given us all these. Those who have vision will not be sad because of their conditions because they saw the pitiful state of people around them. Therefore, their sorrows for others, because of loving God and people, overcame their own sufferings so much that they forget about their own pain. Therefore, I bless you to become one who is immune to challenges because of having compassion for all sheep of God.

5) Anoint: Jehu

“Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu” <1 Kings 19:17>

“You are to destroy the house of Ahab your master, and I will avenge the blood of my servants the prophets and the blood of all the Lord’s servants shed by Jezebel…I will cut off from Ahab every last male in Israel—slave or free…” <2 Kings 9:7-10>

Prophets are the judges of this era. Therefore, Jesus said, “The queen of the south will judge the era”. Why has our PM Lee become the prime minister of Singapore? This is because of the prayers of a group of believers. This seems to be fitting things into the bible - a faith that seems unnatural, but we must believe until this level. If we shake our heads and “sigh” one day because we see the non-realization of a person listening to the Emmanuel word of God, you will know that God will definitely do what your heart has “prophesized” on him.

In our current Singapore, the newspaper says that our economy has done better. So what is the perspective? We do not become like uncircumcised people who chased after changing jobs or trends of “en bloc”. Instead, we know that this means that more problems will come because increase in wealth of the nation. We will see many foreign workers being added to our population in great numbers and also see how this can be connected to the gospel. If our eyes are deep, we will know.

6) Anoint Hazael

“Why is my lord weeping?” asked Hazael. “Because I know the harm you will do to the Israelites,” he answered. “You will set fire to their fortified places, kill their young men with the sword, dash their little children to the ground, and rip open their pregnant women.” "

Prophets will be able to see who will take over the churches. Practical problems and sicknesses within the churches of this era are so obvious. Yet, people do not and will try to miss talking about it on the pulpit. Instead, the churches skipped messages on the obvious lost of the essence of Emmanuel but talk instead about improvements, family messages, and trying to reach out without mourning and praying to see the always Emmanuel God. Yet, when such messages that are so true and honest are preached on the pulpit, leaders of the church are so hurt. What an adulterous generation! If we do not speak of this in this era, the forces will run upon us. Have not we seen how Israelites were pressurized by those big nations around them? If they were weak for a moment, they were immediately influenced. If we are weak, we will surely be subtly influenced. My ears opened and I hear that the pastors of big churches actually speak messages of philosophies from the world rather than from the bible. What will happen to believers in 10 years who accept and exercise such spirit of adulterous messages? The message represents our ideology. We must inherit the correct message. The Lord used the message of the prophets to open everybody’s eyes.

Some of you may not understand the many visions I am passing to you today. It is ok. When you go back to your workplace or your family and experience His word, you will step-by-step see.

Taken from Discipleship Training on 13 July 2007, 2 Kings Overview Part 2.