The spirit of Elijah” was the Spirit of God expressed through that prophet’s powerful ministry and fiery temperament. Those who saw his successor Elisha pick up and wear Elijah’s powerful mantle were probably surprised to see the same anointing expressed through a person less fiery and more compassionate. They should not have been because God anoints the person, not the personality.
The anointing works through you the same as it does through others. It’s God’s power, not your personality. But instead of “the spirit of Elijah” or that of Elisha, it will be the Spirit of Christ (1 Peter 1:11). The Spirit of God is called the Spirit of Christ in reference to Old Testament prophets speaking of the coming Messiah. Christ will express himself through the person you are.
So, let’s not chase after “the Elijah Anointing” or “the Branham Anointing” or “the Kathryn Kuhlman anointing” — or anyone else’s, for that matter, but instead seek the anointing that was on Jesus, the Christ, the Anointed One. Elijah was “taken up” in a chariot of fire in a whirlwind, which was in keeping with his fiery temperament and the dramatic way that he did things.
If you identify with Elijah and are prepared to take on “the spirit of Jezebel” — then fine, but Elijah ran for his life in fear of that woman. John the Baptist came in the spirit of Elijah, lived and dressed rough, and ate locusts dipped in wild honey. People came from all over to hear his message of preparation for coming of the kingdom of God, and were baptized as a sign of repentance. But baptism into Christ replaced the baptism of John (Acts 19:1-6)
Elijah was “taken up” by chariot in a whirlwind, but Elisha died quietly and his body was placed in a tomb. 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 into heaven, but not in a chariot and without a whirlwind.
We are what we are, and God anoints us with the Spirit of Christ. and expresses Himself through the particular personality and temperament that each one of us has. Not by different ‘anointings’ — there’s only one — but through our various personalities. So, don’t try to be someone else — no matter how larger than life that person is or may have been — just be yourself. The mantle that’s on you is not you but God on, in, and through you!
What a blessed relief!