God's
mantle is His character and glory. The character and glory of God is
developed in us by an intimate relationship with God called the
anointing. A mantle in the natural is a cloak or outer garment for
covering the body. A mantle is used symbolically in the Bible as the
righteous call and covering of God in fulfilling our destinies.
The Prophet Elisha received the Prophet Elijah's mantle…the character and glory of God given to Elijah (I Kings 19:19).
Mantle Realized in Holy Spirit and Power Anointing
Over a
period of time, Elisha by the anointing given him through his
relationship with Elijah the man of God, eventually qualified and
received a double portion of the spirit anointing upon Elijah. Elijah
saw in Elisha's spirit a great calling and sought to bring it forth into
a full-fledged mantle. Also Elisha saw the character and nature of God
in Elijah's spirit and sought it with all that was within. Elisha said
several times to Elijah, "As the Lord lives and my soul lives I will not
depart from you (Elijah)."
The
anointing in spirit and power comes upon God's chosen when the mantle is
fully realized. Elijah said to Elisha, "If you see me the anointing is
yours…if not you cannot have it." Elisha was required to see the
character and glory of God our Father in the spirit of the Prophet
Elijah.
My Father, My Father…
Elisha
saw that which was required by God in order to fully possess the spirit
of Elijah mantle as his own. Elisha' declaration at the moment Elijah
was taken up in a whirlwind was proof enough that he saw properly.
Elisha did and said…
And
Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven. Elisha saw it and cried out,
"My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!" 2 Kings 2:11-12 NASB
Elisha
saw the fullness of the spirit of Elijah's mantle. Elisha called Elijah
father and associated him with the protection of Israel, the children of
God. The mantle of the spirit of Elijah is the Father's heart in
protecting Israel. Elisha came into the fullness of his mantle.
Jesus' Mantle…Savior of the World
It might
be said that the mantle points towards our destiny and calling and the
anointing is proof of the mantle. Jesus at age 30 was fully anointed at
the River Jordan and announced such a bit later in the temple. The
mantle of God had been cast upon Jesus at his birth and thirty years
later the fullness of his anointed relationship and mantle with God was
revealed.
The
process of coming into the fullness of the anointing began when the
Angel Gabriel said to Mary the mother of Jesus, "You shall call (invite)
his name (identity) Jesus." Jesus means Yahweh saves! Every time the
name Jesus was spoken it was in reality calling for Jesus to come into
the fullness of his mantle in demonstration by the anointing (Christ,
Messiah). The name Jesus Christ literally means Yahweh saves by the
anointing. Glory to God forevermore!
Let Us Do the Mantle of God to His Glory
We are
called having had the mantle of God cast upon us. Seek the fulfillment
of your mantle; receiving and continuing your anointed relationship with
our heavenly Father.
The
spirit of Elijah is restoring all things through righteous and loving
Father and son heart relationship (Matthew 17:11, Mark 9:12).
God desires to be fully identified by our mantle and the anointing!
You
know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit
and with power, and how He went about (in the fullness of his mantle)
doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was
with Him. Acts 10:38 NASB
Gale Ward Maiden
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