"The Emerging Elisha Generation"

?

February 28, 2005

"The Emerging Elisha Generation"
by James W. Goll
Encounters Network
www.JamesGoll.com
?

THE LAST JOURNEY OF ELIJAH AND ELISHA

For the past several months I have been meditating on The Elisha Generation -- the generation of believers who walk in the double anointing. Having co-authored the book on Elijah's Revolution with Lou Engle and then composed The Coming Prophetic Revolution, I am now building on those teachings and reaching forward into what comes next. The following are some thoughts on the emerging Elisha Generation.

Let's consider the quest of Elisha to obtain all he could from the Lord and also through the human agency of his relationship with Elijah. As recorded in II Kings 2, this journey eventually took Elisha from Gilgal to Bethel to Jericho, and finally to the Jordan. Each of these four stations prophetically represented strategic events in Israel's pilgrimage. But the encounters at these four locations also became a test to see if Elisha would settle for the best of the past or if he would cross over as a new generation pioneer into territory that had not yet been possessed as an inheritance.

Let's look at these four locations and see what they represent.

A. Gilgal is the place where Israel set up its base camp before subduing and possessing Canaan, under the leadership of Joshua. But, first, all the men had to be circumcised (Joshua 5:2-3).

Circumcision is an outward sign of a covenant people (Genesis 17:9-14; Romans 2:29; Colossians 2:11). To be enabled to walk out your prophetic purpose for the next generation, one must be "cut in the flesh." This symbolically represents the work of the Cross in the disciple's life. Gilgal means "to roll back" or "the reproach has been rolled away."


B. Bethel was named by Jacob after the Genesis 28:19 experience where the Gate of Heaven was opened up and the angels descended and ascended. The manifested presence of God appeared and the place was called The House of God.

The Holy Spirit wants to take us from the place of the removal of the flesh to the House of God where His presence dwells. But don't camp there -- there is more! Elijah tells Elisha to stay at Bethel. This became another test of hunger and desperation for Elisha and an opportunity to cross over into more territory.


C. Jericho is a fragrant place founded by God where the dividing walls come down. Many want to stay simply at the House of His presence but don't capture a city-taking mindset. Elijah tests Elisha by telling him to stay at Bethel. Most of us would love that assignment. But we must see that there is more than just having a house of renewal -- we must take cities for God.


D. Jordan means to subdue or to take down an enemy. The river Jordan was a historic geographic marker that separated the promise being in the future to the promise being acted out today. Elisha had to move past Jericho and cross the Jordan if he was to come into the fullness of his inheritance for his generation. The promise of multiplication comes on the other side of the river!

DOING THE DOUBLE -- A LOOK AT THE MINISTRY OF ELISHA

According to II Kings 2:9-14, Elisha asked for a double portion and received the prophetic mantle that fell from Elijah. The scriptures record 7 miracles that Elijah was used to accomplish. There are 14 recorded miracles from the life of Elisha. Elijah had one raised from the dead -- Elisha is known for two! Look with me at 8 of the miracles Elisha accomplished and let's interpret them as a prophetic parable in light of an entire Elisha Generation arising.

1) II Kings 4:1-7 -- Multiplication of Oil into Empty Vessels
Prophetic evangelism outside the house will be the mark of this generation. Go find empty vessels and fill them. Let the oil flow!

2) II Kings 4:8-17 -- Barren, Prominent Women Released and Productive
Women released into prominent positions bearing fruit for the Kingdom is the portion for this generation. The barren body of Christ shall be healed and bring forth many sons and daughters.

3) II Kings 4:32-37 -- Stretching Oneself so that Life is Restored into the Body
We will be laid down lovers and stretch ourselves out for the Body of Christ and breathe new life into her. The dead body shall arise!

4) II Kings 4:38-41 -- End of the Poisoned Food Line
Instead of going to church and receiving doubt-filled, poisoned food -- the poisoned food line will end and health will be restored.

5) II Kings 6:1-7 -- Restoring Lost Axe Heads
Former anointings will be restored as we return to our cutting edge. Waves of God's presence will restore all the best of the past and usher in a new era where God's house is expanded.

6) II Kings 6:15-17 -- Opening of Eyes to be Able to See into the Spirit World
The prophetic will be used to release the seer grace upon others. Spiritual eyes will be opened and new insights into victorious spiritual warfare will be released.

7) II Kings 13:14-19 -- Hands Put on Kings Hands for Wartime Strategies
The Elisha Generation will lay hands on the hands of governmental leaders and impart strategies for end-time activities. Prophets will impact leaders in the market place and secular government -- not just the church.

8) II Kings 13:20-21 -- The Dead Raised from Bones of the Past
The Elisha Generation is built on relational mentoring in the anointing. But they must also aim at leaving a "lineage and a legacy" where the impact of the Supernatural is left behind.

THE HINGE FROM ONE GENERATION TO THE NEXT

Is there a key that enables one generation to go farther than its predecessor? Is there a key found in the life of Elijah and Elisha? What is the hinge that allows the door to swing open instead of shut?

Elisha's cry for the double portion was not just for himself but for his entire generation. He knew that it would take more of God's grace and power to impact his generation. Consider these things Elisha did:

1) He served in another's sphere
2) He passed the tests presented and picked up his own cross
3) He saw in the Spirit
4) He lifted a cry
5) He understood honor
6) He had a revelation of fatherhood
7) He received his inheritance and acted it out!

Elisha cried out, "My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!" Herein lays a great key! Elisha asked for, received, and accomplished the "double." How? He had a double revelation of fatherhood. He saw Elijah -- his forerunner -- as a father in the Spirit and honored him in such a manner. I believe he also saw that God was his Father and thus could walk in profound authority out of this secure relationship. He had nothing to prove -- he was his Father's son!


THE GREAT WORKS GENERATION

A generation that is placed upon the shoulders of the fathers and mothers who have gone before them, and a generation of believing believers who walk in security of identity of the Fatherhood of God, will be the Greater Works Generation that Jesus declared was coming. John 14:12 declares, "And greater works then these shall you do; because I go to the Father."

It is time for authentic Fathers and Mothers in the Word and Spirit to arise and invest their lives into the next generation. They are those who are genuine veterans of the ways of God and pioneers who have blazed a trail for others. It is time for the Greater Works Generation to arise -- who know the Father, who magnify the Son, and who live in the Spirit. Let the Elisha Generation come forth for Jesus Christ's sake! Amen and Amen!


FROM THE DESK OF JAMES W. GOLL

I am now working diligently on the book God Encounters co-authored with Michal Ann. This will be a follow up to The Seer and complement some of our Study Guides. My 15th Study Guide, called The Nature of God, will be out soon as well. So keep these projects in your prayers!

On another front, I have completed the first phase of passive immune therapy and continue with a comprehensive approach to treatment. Your gracious prayer and financial support is appreciated during this season of recovery from lymphoma cancer. A special Mercy Assistance Fund has been set up with this in mind. Periodic Health and Prayer Updates are posted on our web site as well. We value you and are so pleased to have an army of believing believers standing with us!

In Jesus!

James W. Goll
Encounters Network
www.JamesGoll.com

?? ~~~~

James and Michal Ann Goll's Itinerary:

March 3, 2005 @ 7pm
Encounters Training
Encounters Ministry Center
2389 Henpeck Lane, Franklin, TN 37064
615-599-5552, www.encountersnetwork.com

March 6, 2005 @ 10:00am
Living Word Community Church
409 Franklin Road, Brentwood, TN
615-277-4040, www.tlwcc.net

March 7 and 8, 2005
Wagner Leadership Institute Prophetic Fast Track
World Prayer Center
11005 Voyager Parkway, Colorado Springs, CO 80921
800-683-9630, www.wagnerleadership.org

March 16th - 19th, 2005
Sounds Of Heaven On Earth: The Convergence of Justice, Worship & Intercession
Brentwood, TN
1-877-200-1604, www.encountersnetwork.com

?