The Spirit of God on John the Baptist is called “the spirit of Elijah” because it was expressed through the unique ministry call and fiery temperament of both prophets. But those who saw Elisha take up Elijah’s powerful mantle may have been surprised when the same anointing was expressed differently.
The anointing will be different in.. you, too. It will not be “the spirit of Elijah” or Elisha, but the Spirit of Christ at work through your distinct personality. The same Spirit of God was in the prophets of old when they spoke of the Messiah who was to come. The inspired apostle Peter identifies the Spirit of God as “the spirit of Christ” (1 Peter 1:11)
So instead of chasing after “the Elijah Anointing” or “the Branham Anointing”, or “the Kathryn Kuhlman anointing” — or anyone else’s, for that matter, instead seek the anointing that was on Jesus, who was The Anointed.
Elijah was “taken up” in a chariot of fire in a whirlwind because of who he was and what he did. If you identify with Elijah and are prepared to take on “the spirit of Jezebel”, fine; maybe that’s your style and God’s call. However, John the Baptist came in the spirit of Elijah but did no miracles. He lived rough, dressed rough and ate locusts dipped in wild honey. People from all over came out to where he was to hear his message of radical change.
Elijah was “taken up” in a whirlwind, but Elisha, who received his prophetic mantle, died quietly and was buried in a tomb. (Yet he still had fire in his bones.) John the Baptist lost his head (not over a woman but because of one). Jesus, The Anointed, was crucified but God raised him from among the dead and took him up — not in a chariot and without a whirlwind.
You and I are what we are, and God anoints us with the Spirit of Christ, which expresses God’s call on each one of us through our particular personality and temperament. The old Testament prophets had “the Spirit of Christ” for “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10). Meaning that all prophecy pointed to the Messiah.