And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
As they still went on, and talked. Surely that conference was needful, and upon matters of high importance to the Church and the nation, in connection with the promises of their covenant God, otherwise we might have expected it would have given way to private meditation, and Elijah had been taken up rather from his knees than from his feet. But as Dr. Hall remarks ('Contemplations,' 2:, pp. 25-29), 'There can be no better posture or state for the messenger of our dissolution to find us in, than in a diligent prosecution of our calling. The busy attendance on our holy vocation is no less pleasing to God than an immediate devotion.' 'Happy is the servant whom the Master, when he comes, shall find so doing.' Behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire - some bright effulgence, which, in the eyes of the spectators, resembled those objects. Angels are called "chariots," and represented as such in mysterious fire (Psalms 68:18; Ezekiel 1:4-13; Ezekiel 10:6). Angels are meant by chariots and "horses of fire," because, like chariots of war, they are the strength and protection of the Lord's people, and because of their swiftness in doing the work. Dean Stanley uses very ambiguous language respecting this miraculous event. He does not say that Elijah was lost in a tempest, but he does not accept the miraculous view given in the record, and seems to believe the prophet was carried off, like Romulus, in a thunderstorm, narrated in the Oriental style of description. Josephus, whom the Dean apparently follows ('Antiquities,' b. 9:, ch. 2:, sec. 2) says that 'Elijah disappeared from among men, and no one knows of his death to this very day. Indeed, as to Elijah and as to Enoch, it is written in the sacred books that they disappeared, but so that nobody knew that they died.'
That Enoch was actually translated, is placed beyond controversy by the testimony of the apostle. And the same conclusion is inferentially drawn in the analogous case of Elijah. Dr. Hall's observations on this translation of Elijah are too appropriate and beautiful to be disregarded,-`Long and happily had Elijah fought the wars of his God; and now, after his noble and glorious victories, God will send him a chariot of triumph. How full of heavenly joy was the soul of Elijah while he foreknew and looked for this instant happiness! Jordan must be crossed by Elijah in his way to heaven. There must be a parallel between the two great prophets that shall meet Christ at Tabor-Moses and Elias. Both received visions on Horeb; to both God appeared there-in fire and in other forms of terror; both were sent to kings-one to Pharaoh, the other to Ahab; both revenged idolatries with the sword-the one upon the worshippers of the golden calf, the other upon the 400 Baalites; both divided the waters-the one of the Red Sea, the other of Jordan; both must be fetched away beyond Jordan-the body of Elijah is translated, the body of Moses is hid. What Moses doth by his rod, Elijah does by his mantle; he only bids the waters stand aside, and they give way to his last walk, that he might with dry feet mount up into the celestial chariot.'
Went up by a whirlwind - a tempest or storm; wind accompanied with vivid flashes of fire, figuratively used for the divine judgments (Isaiah 24:6).