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The first lesson narrates the event of Elijah’s taking up to heaven by a divine escort
About the time of his taking up, the understanding of the event to-be was clear to the company prophets as far as Bethel and Jericho, but Elisha cautioned that they be quiet about it
On three occasions, Elijah urges Elisha to remain behind, but he refuses
From Gilgal to Bethel, then to Jericho, and then to the other side of Jordan, after Elisha proves to be perseverant and persistent, Elijah now asked him to make his request
“Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit and become your successor,” replied Elisha
Elisha met the condition of receiving his request; he saw the time Elijah was taken up
On Elisha’s way back, the parting of the Jordan with Elijah’s cloak was not just a sign that he received the double portion but also that he was the successor of Elijah
Jesus buttressed the message of being born again by alluding to the bronze snake lifted by Moses in the wilderness, which gave the people physical life
In the same way, God miraculously gives spiritual life through Jesus who is being lifted on the cross and gloriously exalted
This eternal life is received by everyone who believes in him
God expressed his unselfish, costly and praiseworthy love to the world through Jesus, his only Son, and the purpose of the Son’s mission was to save, not condemn
But in contrast to those who believe, unbelievers do not believe in the Son, they shall perish, are condemned, love darkness, hate the light, and do evil
Therefore, they are judged because God’s light came into the world, but they loved the darkness more than the light, as expressed by their evil action