How To Test Loyalty

by Dag Heward-Mills

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Copyright 2008 Dag Heward-Mills

Published by Dag Heward-Mills on Smashwords.

E mail Dag Heward-Mills

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http://www.daghewardmills.org

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Unless otherwise stated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible

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Contents

Chapter 1 -The Three Tests of Loyalty

Chapter 2 - Disloyalty Is Often a Fruit of Immaturity

Chapter 3 - Loyalty Today Does not Mean Loyalty Tomorrow

Chapter 4 - Loyal People Catch the Anointing

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Chapter 1

The Three Tests of Loyalty

But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I SHALL COME FORTH AS GOLD.

Job 23:10

There are many yellow metals in the world. Which one of them is real gold? I once asked a jeweller in Malaysia, “How would I know whether my wedding ring is made out of real gold or not?”

I will never forget what he said: “There are many tests, but the main test is to pass it through fire.” He told me, “All other metals will change colour when subjected to fire.”

He continued, “Gold is the only metal which will come out shining brighter. It will not change colour in any way.”

You can never tell the false from the real until you subject it to a test.

Many things will test the loyalty and faithfulness of a Christian. When I decided to pursue the ministry instead of medicine, my commitment was tested many times. My commitment to the church has been tested on several occasions. There are three main things that will test everyone’s loyalty: distance, time and fire. If you pass these tests, then your loyalty is real.

1. The Test of Distance

But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, AND NOT ONLY WHEN I AM PRESENT WITH YOU.

Galatians 4:18

Paul had to exhort a branch of his church in Galatia to remain faithful even though he was not physically present with them. Many people are not loyal when they are away from the leader. Many companies do not work efficiently unless the manager is physically present. Because of this, many businesses cannot expand.

Can the Boss Be Everywhere?

If you are working under someone, your loyalty will be tested by distance. As they say, “out of sight, out of mind”. It is important for you to be faithful even when your leader is away from you. People who have passed this test are the ones who are truly faithful.

The ministry of Lighthouse Chapel

International now spans five continents: Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and Australia. How on earth could I be present everywhere?

The only way for a large network to continue expanding is for people to be faithful whether the leader is present or not.

In some churches, the pastor just has to turn his head and a sarcastic comment will be made. You must not only say nice things when a person is present with you. You must say nice things about him even when he is away. It is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing and especially when your leader is not present with you. I can tell whether people are loyal to me or not by what they say about me when I am not present.

It is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, AND NOT ONLY WHEN I AM PRESENT WITH YOU.

Galatians 4:18

My Loyal Friend

I remember someone who claimed to be my friend. When I was with him, he would say nice things like, “I am committed to you. I have a relationship with you.” He also said things like, “I know you are loyal to me. You and I have a good relationship.”

However, when I was not with this person he would say terrible things about me. Some of the things were so shocking that it was hard for me to believe!

One day someone said to me, “If you ever heard what this man said about you behind your back, you would not go near him anymore!” What this person was telling me was not strange. You see, I had heard of alarming statements made by this man about me. I had received so many reports of the cruel discussions he had had about me.

This “loyal” friend was not loyal after all! When he was with me, he said nice things. As soon as we parted company, he stabbed me in the back and “weeded out” my legs! A little distance and the ugly head of disloyalty reared itself. He failed the “distance test” of loyalty repeatedly. Loyalty is not what you say or do when a person is with you. It is what you do and say when you are apart.

It is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, AND NOT ONLY WHEN I AM PRESENT WITH YOU.

Galatians 4:18

2. The Test of Time

Very few people can imagine the ability of time to test our resolve to stay loyal to our words.

I marvel that ye are SO SOON REMOVED from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

Galatians 1:6

The Apostle Paul was shocked that a group of Christians could so quickly change their minds and commitment.

Early and Late Disloyalty

In some cases, people become disloyal very early in the course of events. This is what I call early disloyalty. People suffering from early disloyalty are not able to withstand the test of time. In other cases, people become disloyal after much more time has elapsed - this is late disloyalty. Individuals who experience late disloyalty have a greater ability to withstand the test of time, but eventually fall away.

And he said, therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. FROM THAT TIME MANY OF HIS DISCIPLES WENT BACK, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?

Then Simon Peter answered him, LORD, TO WHOM SHALL WE GO? thou hast the words of eternal life.

And we believe and are sure that thou art Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve and one of you is a devil? He spake of JUDAS ISCARIOT the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, BEING ONE OF THE TWELVE.

John 6:65-71

You will notice from this passage that after a short while in the ministry, several of the disciples deserted camp. They left the church and refused to be part of Jesus’ ministry anymore.

“From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him” (John 6:66). This is a good example of early disloyalty. These disciples failed the test of time very quickly indeed.

However, the twelve apostles were not so quick to fall away. Even Judas Iscariot was not moved. But Jesus knew that with the passage of more time, Judas would betray him. That is why he said, “Have I not chosen you twelve and one of you is a devil? He knew it was just a matter of time before there would be some more manifestations of disloyalty.

Can you stand the test of time? Will you be there when everyone is gone? How much longer will you last in the ministry? For how much longer will you preach the things God told you to preach? How much more time has to elapse before you rebel against your leader? Are you going to be an early leaver, a late leaver or will you stay until the end?

Decide to be a survivor! Develop staying power! Be faithful to the very end! Be loyal to God until your very last breath! Be loyal to your pastor and to your church until the end. You will definitely receive your reward from God. I recommend that you read my book, Backsliding. It will help you to develop your staying power.

3. The Test of Fire

Fire represents all kinds of pressures that will be brought to bear against you. These pressures could be in the form of a financial test. When you work in an organisation, a transfer or an instruction you do not like could be another test. Fire could be spiritual, social, marital or financial! I want to challenge every leader not to be afraid of the fires that God will allow you to go through.

It is those who come out of the fire unscathed who are most valuable to God.

Marital difficulties, financial difficulties, hurts and offences should not make you disloyal to your God.

Fire purges unwanted elements from our lives. God refines us through these experiences.

And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.

Malachi 3:3

God often puts the heat on His servants in order to bring the best out of them. When you have passed through the tests, you will shine and you will become more attractive. Do you want more people to be attracted to your ministry? Then pass the tests of fire that come your way!

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

James 1:2,3

On many occasions, I have been subjected to various tests. I have been subjected to tests from disloyal friends and pastors. I have suffered mistreatment from authorities in high places. I have been through many journeys for the Lord. I have had several near death experiences in cars and planes. I have experienced deep hurts from various unexpected sources.

I am not the only one who has been tested in the ministry. God allows all Christians to be offended. He will then observe whether you will obey His Word or not. Will you forgive the one who has offended you?

When you walk in forgiveness, you attract God’s mercy. Blessed are the merciful because they shall receive God’s mercy. If you fail the test of hurts and offences, you exclude yourself from the mercy of God.

When bitterness is in your spirit, you will no longer receive from God and He no longer answers your prayers.

Many years ago, a minister said something which I took seriously. He said, “It is important to always maintain a sweet spirit!” We must learn to live without bitterness.

When you go through the fire of financial difficulties, please do not succumb to the pressure. Do not become a murmurer. Do not become a complainer and do not become a thief!

When you come under pressure in your marriage, please do not give up. Do not separate or divorce. Fight to achieve happiness. The world is full of people with failed marriages.

Everyone is looking for someone who has been able to stay faithful in spite of the tests. The tests of marriage come to everyone. To survive, you need determination and a whole lot of faith. Be a survivor! I see you making it!

What Have You Survived?

Someone asked me: “What have you been through? What have you survived? What have you suffered?” You see, the things a person has survived speak volumes about him. The credentials of survived tests are greater than the credentials of any educational institution.

When Paul wanted to show who he really was, he told the people what he had been through! He told them what he had survived. He showed them what he had suffered. The tests you pass tell a story about who you really are. Notice how Paul used a long list of experiences he had survived to show that he was a legitimate minister.

ARE THEY MINISTERS OF CHRIST? (I speak as a fool) I AM MORE; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in PRISONS more frequent, in DEATHS oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty STRIPES save one.

Thrice was I BEATEN with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered SHIPWRECK, a night and a day I have been in the deep;

In JOURNEYINGS often, in perils of waters, in perils of ROBBERS, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;

In WEARINESS and PAINFULNESS, in WATCHINGS often, in hunger and thirst, in FASTINGS often, in cold and NAKEDNESS. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is offended and I burn not?

2 Corinthians 11:23-29

Chapter 2

Disloyalty Is Often a Fruit of Immaturity

I have realized that many people become disloyal because they are not mature in the things of God.

When Absalom broke away from the regular army and attacked his father, the Bible tells us that many people followed him.

But that is not all! The Word of God describes the state of their minds. It says that they were simplistic. It says that they were simple people and they did not know much.

And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their SIMPLICITY, and THEY KNEW NOT ANYTHING.

2 Samuel 15:11

You see, if you really understand what you are doing you may not go ahead with rebellion. That is why I preach and teach on disloyalty. The more we teach on this subject, the more awareness is created. It is not a good thing to be a Judas, an Absalom or Lucifer. These are bad names you should not be associated with. Who would really like to be a rebel when all rebels end up being executed?

Mild and Serious Disloyalty

In the ministry of Jesus, it was not only Judas who betrayed Christ. Peter also betrayed Christ. He swore and cursed that he did not know Jesus. Was this not a betrayal? If you got into trouble and needed help, would you not be disappointed if your friend said he did not know you? Would you not feel that he had betrayed you in your time of trouble? I know you would! But this is exactly what Peter did.

Yet, it is not only Peter who deserted Christ at the moment when he needed support. The other disciples were nowhere to be found. They all abandoned ship when it was most critical. That is betrayal! Yet, Christ did not put them in the same category as Judas. Judas was manifesting what

I call serious disloyalty and the other disciples were manifesting mild disloyalty.

Characteristics of Serious Disloyalty

- In serious disloyalty the rebel concerned actually engineers an uprising, demonstration or revolt against authority. You will notice that the disciples did not engineer anything; they were victims of the circumstances. q In serious disloyalty, the traitor is often disloyal for monetary gains.

- Seriously disloyal people will sacrifice their friends for any flimsy reason. q Seriously disloyal people lie about you with the intention of hurting or destroying you.

They spread evil stories about the person in order to destroy him. Notice that the disciples did not spread any bad stories about Christ after they had deserted him.

- Serious disloyalty (e.g. Lucifer, Absalom or Judas) is usually untreatable, not correctable and without remedy.

Characteristics of Mild Disloyalty

- In mild disloyalty, you will notice features of betrayal and desertion and abandonment.

- Such people are usually caught up by the events of the day. The disciples were caught up by the momentous events of the night.

- They do not personally engineer or create a rebellion against authority. Neither do they help to destroy the church or business.

- Mildly disloyal people follow wrong things out of simplicity.

They do not understand the issues at stake. Many people follow things only to find out that they have made a mistake. I have had people leave the church only to return and apologize profusely for their mistake.

And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and THEY WENT IN THEIR SIMPLICITY, and THEY KNEW NOT ANY THING.

2 Samuel 15:11

- Mildly disloyal people are often confused by events.

They don’t know what is right or wrong and they don’t understand what is happening. To them, the pastors in the church are in conflict and they wish it would all end happily.

- Mildly disloyal people often act in fear and ignorance.

They are frightened by conflicts. They do not know anything about rebellion or insurgencies.

- Mild disloyalty can often be remedied with time.

- Mild disloyalty often manifests itself as confusion and uncertainty.

Whenever there is a shake-up in a church, such people are often caught in the middle of the fight. They don’t know who is right and who is wrong. You cannot really blame them as they don’t really know what is going on.

And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee. But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I. And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all.

Mark 14:27-31

Even though Jesus’ disciples were not loyal to Him when it really mattered, I believe that He considered it to be a result of immaturity. Because of this I often overlook things that people say, knowing that they will grow to understand. Often a person is critical because he is inexperienced.

Sometimes assistant pastors are critical of the senior pastor because they have never been head pastors before. If you are a senior pastor, it is important to check this before it grows into a serious rebellion.

The School of Hard Knocks

One of the best ways to deal with mild disloyalty is to allow the individual to go through certain experiences himself. If your associate pastor feels that you are not a good head pastor, one of the best things to do is to send him to the “school of hard knocks”. Allow him to be a senior minister. Let him pioneer a church. He will mature in no time! The school of hard knocks issues certificates of maturity. You will also receive a diploma in understanding from this school.

As he pastors a church himself and has people under him, he will begin to appreciate the responsibilities and pressures that come upon a leader. There are some people who are not able to appreciate these realities without experiencing being a head pastor themselves. However, some ministers have the grace to assist without going through this ‘school’.

After the disciples had abandoned Jesus, you will notice that He did not rebuke them for betraying Him. Jesus understood them! Jesus knew that it was a stage of development and gave them another chance. He just said to them, “Go into the world and preach the Gospel.” Jesus was sending the disciples to the school of hard knocks. When you read the letters of Peter, you will realise that he met various rebellious people in his ministry. He learnt first-hand about loyalty.

When you give people a chance, they often turn out very well. The disciples became so loyal to Christ that many of them died for their faith. Those who fled in the early days of their ministry had matured into faithful diehard loyalists.

To die for someone is the highest form of commitment you can ever have. Many people experiencing mild disloyalty can turn around to become the most loyal people you could ever have.

Chapter 3

Loyalty Today Does not Mean Loyalty Tomorrow

The fact that you are faithful today does not mean that you will be faithful tomorrow. A Christian needs to be loyal because the devil does not go on vacation. Jesus overcame the devil in the wilderness. The Bible teaches us that the devil went away for a season and not forever. The devil will leave you for a while but not forever.

And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season.

Luke 4:13

At different times in the history of King David’s reign, he had sons who tried to usurp his authority and take the throne. The first time it happened, a young man named Absalom was involved in the conspiracy.

And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom. And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword.

2 Samuel 15:13,14

In this particular instance, Joab, David’s army commander, was loyal and fought against Absalom. He was so zealous that he even killed Absalom when David was crying for mercy for his son. This was a great display of loyalty to the cause of the King.

And Absalom met the servants of David. And Absalom rode upon a mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the heaven and the earth; and the mule that was under him went away. And a certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak. Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak.

2 Samuel 18:9,10,14

However, several years later another son of David, named Adonijah, tried to take the throne. This time Joab was not loyal to David. It was exactly the same situation that had happened a few years earlier with Absalom. Another child who had no business on the throne, wanted to become the king. Please read the following Scripture carefully.

Then ADONIJAH the son of Haggith EXALTED HIMSELF, SAYING, I WILL BE KING: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him… and his mother bare him after Absalom. And HE CONFERRED WITH JOABthe son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest: and THEY FOLLOWED ADONIJAH AND HELPED HIM.

1 Kings 1:5-7

Notice how Joab, who had fought against Absalom a few years earlier was now helping Adonijah. Is it not ironic that someone who was once loyal to David could become disloyal?

I remember a brother who was so loyal to me. He would stand up at meetings and declare his commitment each time. He was noted for his proclamations and utterances about his commitment to me.

One day, at a meeting, we were discussing the actions of a rebellious pastor. This gentleman stood up and condemned the behaviour of this rebel. As I listened to him, I was encouraged by his words of commitment and support.

I said to myself, “I really have some loyal people with me.” Some time later, this brother was appointed a pastor and pioneered a church somewhere. It was but a few years later when this pastor rebelled against me in a very surprising move.

One afternoon he said to me, “I would like to see you.”

I said, “Sure, I’m always here. You can see me now.”

He started, “I have decided to begin a new church.”

“Which church is this,” I asked.

“A church,” he replied.

“Is it part of Lighthouse Chapel?” I asked.

“No,” he answered.

“Oh, I see!”

This was his way of telling me that he was pulling out unexpectedly. Shortly after, in an unanticipated move, he changed the name of the Lighthouse church he was pastoring and retained some of our properties. This person had beenvery loyal to me for several years. It was a surprise to almost everyone! His loyalty to me was convincing and impressive! But this illustrates the principle. Loyalty today does not mean loyalty tomorrow.

Joab was loyal in the case of Absolam but not in the case of Adonijah. We must therefore be vigilant so that we do not fall prey to the attacks of the enemy in the future. Nowadays, I take speeches and proclamations of commitment with a pinch of salt. I pray for people who make statements of commitment, that as the years go by they will remember what they have said and live by it.

Chapter 4

Loyal People Catch the Anointing

…Well done, thou good and faithful servant…

Matthew 25:21

Loyalty has its rewards. No one can forget that statement, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” We will be rewarded for our faithfulness to God.

You will also be rewarded for your faithfulness to the men you serve. Jesus said, “Whosoever receiveth you, receiveth me.”

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

John 13:20

When you are loyal to your pastor / boss, God considers it to be faithfulness to Him. Loyalty is an integral part of your character. If you are faithful to man, you are likely to be faithful to God. Loyalty pays off! It will cost you to be disloyal!

Many people think of Elisha as Elijah’s servant. But what you must realize is that Elijah had two servants. No one even knows the name of the first servant. It was the first servant of Elijah who saw most of the great miracles! Do you remember the story of how Elijah prayed for rain? You will remember that Elijah kept sending his servant to see if there were any clouds on the horizon. That was the first servant.

...And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees. AND SAID TO HIS SERVANT, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing.

And he said, GO AGAIN seven times. And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man’s hand. And he said, GO UP, SAY UNTO AHAB, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not. And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel. And the hand of the Lord was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.

1 Kings 18:41-46

This man saw Elijah call down fire from Heaven. This man saw Elijah challenge the false prophets of Ahab. Elisha never saw these things, he just read about them. Later on, Elijah got into trouble with Jezebel because of his powerful ministry against the false prophets.

And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time.

1 Kings 19:1,2

Elijah was terrified and decided to flee for his very life. It was at this point that his first servant left him.

And when he saw that, he arose and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, AND LEFT HIS SERVANT THERE.

1 Kings 19:3

Whether Elijah asked his servant to wait behind or his servant abandoned him for fear of his life, no one knows. Whatever the case, this servant did not stay till the end. This is the last we hear of him. How sad! This man could have been the next anointed prophet of the Lord. Perhaps his name would have filled several chapters of the Bible.

When Elijah got to Mount Horeb, the Lord spoke to him about several things. One of the things was about getting a new servant to replace the old guy who had left him. This is how Elisha came to replace the first servant!

…and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shall thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.

1 Kings 19:16

I often wonder why people do not stay till the end when they will receive all that God has for them.

God has a great calling for many of us. We need an anointing to fulfil that call. It is by staying to the end that we catch the anointing. Most of the great blessings come at the end of the race. No one gets a medal for starting a race. The medals are for those who finish the race!

In the Christian world, many ministers are like university students who did one or two years of study, but never completed their courses. You see, many people think that they have arrived after they become familiar with the ministry. Familiarity with pastors and with the church is not the same as experience in ministry. Some people think that the ministry is as easy as that. Many people do not know that it takes years of faithful following and loyalty!

As I go on in the ministry, I realize that there are many things that I do not know. No one knows it all. It is said that Elisha followed Elijah for twenty years before he received the anointing. It is important to learn from the mistakes of your predecessors. I think that is exactly what Elisha did, and it paid off! In the last days of his ministry, Elijah tried to leave Elisha in the same way he did to the first servant.

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.

2 Kings 2:1,2

Elijah tried four times to get rid of his servant Elisha. He was going to have an experience with God and he didn’t want anyone to be around. But Elisha was not to be moved. Elijah looked at Elisha in the face and said, “I have a new vision.

I am moving on without you!” I think Elisha remembered what happened to the first servant and he decided to be faithful to the end. Elisha replied, “Your vision is my vision.”

Once again, Elijah tried to get rid of Elisha at Bethel. But Elisha would have none of it. He had decided to stay till the very end. He knew that loyal people receive the anointing. Elijah told Elisha, “The Lord has sent me.” Elijah did not say, “The Lord has sent us.” He said, “The Lord has sent me.”

Elisha just looked at Elijah and said blandly, “The Lord has also sent me to that same place!” When they got to Jericho, Elijah said, “God has sent me to Jordan. Please go back home. There is no place for you anymore.”

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.

2 Kings 2:6

In other words, Elijah told Elisha, “I have a new dream. God has spoken to me and I must go on without you. I’m off to Jordan!”

But Elisha knew what was at stake and simply replied, “Your dream is my dream. Whatever you want to do is what I want to do!”

In the end, Elisha was an eyewitness to that precious experience of Elijah being caught up into Heaven.

Many people think that Elijah was taken into Heaven by a chariot of fire. The chariot and horses of fire were used to separate Elijah and Elisha and not to take Elijah to Heaven. Elijah was taken up to Heaven by a whirlwind and not by a chariot.

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 2:11

Elisha was so glued to his mentor and pastor that it took a supernatural force to separate them. This is a lesson to us all. A loyal person catches the anointing. Elisha became doubly anointed after this experience. Elijah did sixteen miracles but Elisha did thirty-two miracles. Elijah promised that a double anointing would be on Elisha if he were loyal to the very end (when he was taken away).

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.

2 Kings 2:9,10

Dear friend, never forget this important fact about loyalty. God will bless you because of your faithfulness, loyalty and fidelity. Your loyalty will earn you the anointing. You may even receive a double portion!!!

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Other Best-Selling Books by Dag Heward-Mills:

Loyalty and Disloyalty

Leaders and Loyalty

Transform Your Pastoral Ministry

The Art of Leadership

Model Marriage

Church Planting

The Mega Church

Lay People and the Ministry

These titles are also available in Spanish and/or French. Information about other foreign translations of some of the titles above may be obtained by writing to our email address.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

The Three Tests of Loyalty

Chapter 2

Disloyalty Is Often a Fruit of Immaturity

Chapter 3

Loyalty Today Does not Mean Loyalty Tomorrow

Chapter 4

Loyal People Catch the Anointing