Few saints can be found whose lives intertwine the destinies of the Old and New Testaments as closely as that of the Prophet Elijah. Born nine centuries before the coming of Christ the Savior into the world, the Prophet Elijah beheld the glory of His Transfiguration on Mount Tabor (cf. Matt. 17:3; Mark 9:4; Luke 9:30). He was the first in the Old Testament to perform a miracle of raising the dead (1 Kings 17:20–23), and he himself was taken up alive into Heaven, thus prefiguring the future Resurrection of Christ and the ultimate overthrow of the dominion of death.
His fervent call to repentance and stern rebukes were addressed to his contemporaries and countrymen, who were steeped in impiety and idolatry. Similar rebukes and a call to repentance will be heard by the inhabitants of the earth before the Second Coming of Christ, when many, having strayed from true faith and piety, will live in the darkness of delusion and vice. In both the Old Testament and the New Testament Church, the Holy Prophet Elijah is venerated for his unwavering steadfastness in faith, his immaculate purity of life, and his fiery zeal for the glory of God. He is often likened to the Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, John, of whom it is said that he came “in the spirit and power of Elijah” (Luke 1:17).
The Prophet Elijah, a zealous defender of the glory of God, was taken up alive into Heaven in a fiery chariot.
"And it came to pass, when the Lord would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.
And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the Lord hath sent me to Bethel. And Elisha said unto him, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Bethel.
And the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Lord will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.
And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee; for the Lord hath sent me to Jericho. And he said, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho.
And the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho came to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Lord will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he answered, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.
And Elijah said unto him, Tarry, I pray thee, here; for the Lord hath sent me to Jordan. And he said, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And they two went on.
And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off: and they two stood by Jordan.
And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground.
And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto 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.
And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so.
And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven." (2 Kings 2:1–11)