2 Kings 2:9,10 – When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask me what I should do for you before I am taken from you.” And Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.” He said, “You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.
Not many people today value the anointing of the Holy Spirit and very few understand anything at all about the anointing. First of all I want to say that the anointing is tangible, it can be felt and experienced today. Secondly, the anointing is transferable, we can receive the anointing by associating with others who walk in the power of the Spirit. The anointing can also increase as we see Elisha receiving a double portion of the measure of the anointing that rested on Elijah. Here is how the Christ’s Centered expository Commentary describes this.
“Elisha doesn’t want to hear that Elijah is being taken up. A deep bond has probably developed—imagine 18 years of apprenticeship. Elijah, the new Moses, now parts the Jordan, as described in language reminiscent of the exodus, and they cross on dry land. The sons of the prophets witness from a distance this passing of the torch. Elijah has crossed the Jordan and is about to enter the most precious of promised lands.
Once they cross, Elisha asks for “two shares,” referring to the double portion the firstborn inherits (Deut 21:17). In this case it isn’t wealth but prophetic power. Thus, Elisha is essentially saying he will count the cost and dedicate his whole life to continue Elijah’s work as though he is his firstborn. Elisha asks this, not unlike Solomon, realizing he will need great help as God’s representative to complete the task to which he is called.”
I happily pastor a Charismatic/Pentecostal Church in the New Orleans area. I started this church shortly after finishing Bible School and regretfully had very little experience or knowledge about the anointing. With the the Lord’s help we were able to start a thriving church in New Orleans and things went well for many years. After a good while I hit the wall, I was running dry and needed a new impartation of the Spirit if I was going to be able to continue. By the grace of God I went to some revival meetings in another city where I was caught totally by surprise by His magnificent presence. I received exactly what I needed. A fresh mantle of the Holy Spirit fell on me much stronger and different from anything I had known before. Our church in New Orleans was suddenly filled with God’s presence, the Holy Spirit had fallen on us with new power; the anointing was found to be real, transferable and increasing as we sought the Lord.