Where is Elijah?

Before Elijah was translated to heaven, God commanded him with 3 tasks: 1) Anoint Hazael, 2) Anoint Jehu, 3) Anoint Elisha. More on how this is done at the end of article.

And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria: And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room. And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room. 1 Kings 19:15-17

Before Elijah was translated to heaven, he sent a letter to reprove Jehoram King of Judah, the Son of Jehoshaphat, the Son of Asa.

Now Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. And Jehoram his son reigned in his stead...And there came a writing to him from Elijah the prophet, saying, Thus saith the LORD God of David thy father, Because thou hast not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat thy father, nor in the ways of Asa king of Judah. 2 Chronicles 21:12

• Patriarchs and Prophets 212-213

  "It was during Jehoram's reign over Israel that Jehoshaphat died, and Jehoshaphat's son, also named Jehoram, ascended the throne of the kingdom of Judah. By his marriage with the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, Jehoram of Judah was closely connected with the king of Israel; and in his reign he followed after Baal, “like as did the house of Ahab.” “Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah, and caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication, and compelled Judah thereto.” 2 Chronicles 21:6, 11.

  The king of Judah was not permitted to continue his terrible apostasy unreproved. The prophet Elijah had not yet been translated, and he could not remain silent while the kingdom of Judah was pursuing the same course that had brought the northern kingdom to the verge of ruin. The prophet sent to Jehoram of Judah a written communication, in which the wicked king read the awful words"

Elijah was translated in 2 Kings 2, but 2 Kings 3 took place before 2 Kings 2 chronologically because In 2 Kings 3, Jehoshaphat the King of Judah was still alive and we learned from above that Elijah sent a letter to reprove Jehoshaphat's son Jehoram AFTER Jehoshaphat's death.

All the miracles of Elisha from 2 Kings 3 to 2 Kings 8 with the EXCEPTION of 2 King 6:1-7 occurred before Elijah's ascension to heaven. In the days of Elijah there were three schools of the prophets, one at Gilgal, one at Bethel, and one at Jericho. The building of a school expansion in Jordan by Elisha occurred after. So while Elisha was dealing with the King of Syria, King of Israel, King of Judah, King of Edom and Naaman, what was Elijah doing on earth?

Elijah was turning "the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers..." Malachi 4:5

Is your work of climbing the corporate ladder, climbing the ladder of church leadership, growing your business for God, mission trips, canvassing, volunteering more important than spending time with your children? Filling in your role as the father and the head of the household?

How did Elijah anoint Elisha, Jehu, and Hazael?

• Elijah anointed Elisha directly. Elisha calls Elijah "master" and "father"

• Elijah anointed Hazael indirectly through Elisha.

• Elijah anointed Jehu indirectly through Elisha whom through one of the children of the prophets. (2 King 9:1)

  Another example of above is when we read the scripture, God is speaking to us through his various instruments. For it is written: "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John" (Revelation 1:1). Here God gave the revelation of Jesus Christ to Jesus Christ, then Jesus sent and signified His revelation by his angel, Christ's angel Gabriel showed unto John. And as we read the book of Revelation by John, God speaks to our hearts.

Conclusion, Elijah did not go to heaven without completing the task God assigned him: 1. anointing Hazael and 2. anointing Jehu. Elijah went up to heaven after his assigned task was completely on the earth.