Much Pomp and Show

Reading:   2 Kings 2

The mighty Elijah mounted so on high,

That second man who leap'd the ditch where all

The rest of mankind fall,

And went not downwards to the sky!

With much of pomp and show

(As conquering kings in triumph go)

Did he to heaven approach,

And wondrous was his way, and wondrous was his coach.

This is an excellent stanza from The Ecstacy, a poem from Abraham Cowley (c.1656).  It is a perfect introduction to the translation of Elijah.  There is a lot that can be said, and certainly discussed, about Elijah, his purpose, his translation and his ultimate visitation to Joseph Smith; however, I'm going to leave that discussion for when I read Malachi and his prophesies concerning Elijah.

Here is the verse of translation...

2 KINGS 2:11

11    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. 

There truly was "...much of pomp and show," and how perfect is it that such a humble guy, little, hairy, without much possessions (in fact nothing but a coat), should exit this earth in such magnificent glory.  Those who bore witness could not deny the wondrous event and the glory most obviously crowned upon Elijah's head.

~Kipling