Angels Drive Spirit Horses and Chariots Paul taught that there were many things in the invisible world like the things we have in the visible world: For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made (Rom.1:20). Our vague conception of spiritual things makes it hard for us to grasp the realities of the spirit world. All we know about it is what the Bible reveals. If we take Paul literally here we could easily believe that there are many kinds of heavenly creatures-just like the incredible variety we have on earth. Paul did not limit the number of invisible things that are made clear by things in the earth; so to be wise, let us not limit them either. We know for a fact that there are horses in heaven, as proved in many scriptures. Elijahs Translation: The second chapter of 2 Kings opens up with the words, And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. It was evidently known that Elijah was to be taken to heaven that day, as is clear from the encounters with the sons of the prophets at both Bethel and Jericho (vv. 2 Kings 2:3,5). Obviously, Elijah knew it as well, for he said to Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me (v. 2 Kings 2:9). Elijah then told Elisha that his request would be granted if he saw him when he was taken away (v. 2 Kings 2:10). Then, while they were having their last words together, there suddenly appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire which separated them and took Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind (v. 2 Kings 2:11). And when Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof, obviously indicating the angelic drivers of these spirit horses and chariots (v. 2 Kings 2:12, emphasis added). Elisha Surrounded by the Syrian Army: Sometime after the healing of Naaman, the captain of the army of Syria (2 Kings 5), the king of Syria made war on Israel, taking counsel with his servants as to where to make camp and attack. These camps and places of attack were made known to Elisha who then passed the information on to the king of Israel who was saved three times this way (2 Kings 6:8-10). When it was discovered that Elisha was telling these secrets, the king of Syria sent out spies and located him in Dothan. He then sent horses, chariots, and a great army by night, and they encompassed the whole city (vv. 2 Kings 5:11-14). In the morning, the servant of Elisha saw the Syrians and returned to the prophet, saying fearfully, Alas, my master! how shall we do? (v. 2 Kings 5:15). Elisha answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them (v. 2 Kings 5:16). Elisha then prayed for his servants eyes to be opened, and they were: and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha (v. 2 Kings 5:17). Visions of Zechariah: Describing his first vision, Zechariah writes, I saw by night, and behold a man riding upon a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle trees that were in the bottom; and behind him were there red horses, speckled, and white. Then said I, O my lord, what are these? And the angel that talked with me said unto me, I will shew thee what these be. And the man that stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, These are they whom the LORD hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth. (Zech.1:8-10) The riders of the horses are invisible agencies of God-angels-sent forth into the earth to accomplish various purposes. The horses are not symbolic at all, but literal creatures-actual spirit horses created to live on the planet heaven and be used by those going back and forth between heaven and earth. In his tenth vision Zechariah again saw such spirit beings: And I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came four chariots out from between two mountains; and the mountains were mountains of brass. In the first chariot were red horses; and in the second chariot black horses; and in the third chariot white horses; and in the fourth chariot grisled and bay horses. Then I answered and said unto the angel that talked with me, What are these, my lord? And the angel answered and said unto me, These are the four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth. The black horses which are therein go forth into the north country; and the white go forth after them; and the grisled go forth toward the south country. And the bay went forth, and sought to go that they might walk to and fro through the earth: and he said, Get you hence, walk to and fro through the earth. So they walked to and fro through the earth. Then cried he upon me, and spake unto me, saying, Behold, these that go toward the north country have quieted my spirit in the north country. (Zech.6:1-8) Again, this must be taken literally of heavenly spirit creatures. That there are such horses and other creatures on the planet heaven (and no doubt on other planets) is clear from the fact that the visible things on earth clearly show the invisible things in heaven (Rom.1:20). The colors are not symbolic any more than the various colors of earthly horses. They merely show that there are many varieties of created things in heaven, as we have on earth. The Second Coming of Christ: In what had to have been one of the most spectacular visions he had seen, John writes, And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. (Rev. 19:11-14) Here we see the armies of heaven on white horses following Christ, who also rides a white horse, coming from heaven to seize the governments of this world and to reign forever (Dan. 2:44; Dan 7:13-14). These spirit horses are as real as those we know on earth. In size, shape, and outward appearance they are alike, being different only in bodily substance. All visible things are thus like their invisible counterparts (Rom.1:20; Col. 1:15-18). If there are horses in heaven, there may be all kinds of animals, for heaven is called a better country, and is sure to be as good as the planet earth (Heb. 11:10-16). We know there are cities, streets, mansions, rivers, trees, and other things in heaven because they are mentioned in Scripture. The more we accept the many plain scriptures on things in the heavenly world, the more real the next life will become to us now. Dake Topical Index.
Posted on: Fri, 18 Oct 2013 12:27:41 +0000