Many Will Be Translated Without Tasting Death

Elijah foreshadowed the experience of God’s people who will be living at the time of Christ’s second advent and who will be “changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet,” without tasting death. 1 Corinthians 15:51, 52. As a representative of those who will be translated, Elijah was permitted to stand with Moses by the Savior’s side on the mount of transfiguration. The disciples saw Jesus clothed with the light of heaven; they heard the voice that came “out of the cloud” (Luke 9:35), acknowledging Him as the Son of God. They saw Moses, representing those who will be raised from the dead at the Second Advent. And there also stood Elijah, representing those who will be changed from mortal to immortal at the close of earth’s history, translated to heaven without seeing death.RR 83.1

In the desert, discouraged and lonely, Elijah had prayed that he might die. But God still had a great work for Elijah to do; and when his work was done, he was not to perish alone and in discouragement. Going down into the tomb was not his destiny. He would ascend with God’s angels to the presence of His glory.RR 83.2

“And Elisha ... saw him no more. And ... he also took up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and went back and stood by the bank of the Jordan. Then he took the mantle ... and struck the water, and said, ‘Where is the Lord God of Elijah?’ And when he also had struck the water, it was divided this way and that; and Elisha crossed over.RR 83.3

“Now when the sons of the prophets who were from Jericho saw him, they said, ‘The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.’” 2 Kings 2:12-15.RR 83.4

When the Lord sees fit to remove from His work those to whom He has given wisdom, He strengthens their successors, if they will look to Him for aid and will walk in His ways. They may be even wiser than their predecessors, for they may profit from their experience.RR 83.5

After this Elisha stood in Elijah’s place. Faithful in that which was least, he was to prove himself faithful also in much.RR 83.6