The Carlisle independent., 1915-10-07
LESSON FOR OCTOBER 10
ELIJAH TAKEN UP INTO HEAVEN.
LESSON TExT-II Kings 2:1-l2a.


 tian's chapter. There are two chief divisions: CD Translation w. 1-12; (2) reception and use of power w. 12- 20. The event occurred probably 899 B. c. This is a wonderful lesson for youth as it emphasizes that the way to heaven is the way to the best of life.
 1. Elisha's Testing, w. 1-s. Since Carmel, Elijah had largely been work ing according to the still small voice." He had revived the schools of Samuel. but now in some way notice was sent from God that the time of his departure was at hand. How Ell sha learned this fact the record does not suggest. but he had had a great object lesson in EHjahs faithful, step by-step obedience to Jehovahs word and doubtless was listening keenly for Elijah's words and for the voice Of Jehovah. This explains Elisha's tenacity. Gilgal (v. 1) means wheel" our reproach rolled away, and is picture of our salvation q. Peter ST; Ps. 55:22). Elijah had already learned the lesson of being supplanted by a younger man and so he gracefully ai lows Elisha to follow him. Bethel" !" the house of God, was a good place to tarry but not for Elisha at this time Now (v. 3 fifty "sons'-pupils-of the prophet seek to dissuade Elisha. Knowing something was about to happen, they stood to view afar of, p but were not willing to draw nigh, to follow like Elisha. They thereby failed to reap rich reward (John 12:26). Jericho (Y. 4) means fra grance." It is the place of tempta- tion q. Cor. 10:13). This was 14 miles farther and contained a settle ment of prophets. Again Elijah and Elisha passed on, the one to glory, the other to the fullness of the Holy Spirit. At Jericho (y 5 the sons of the prophet" evidenced greater in- terest than those at Bethel, but in reply to their challenge Elisha com handed silence. The last difficulty to confront them was Jordan (death), but they do not hesitate, for God had provided even for that contingency. Neither are we to hesitate but will lingly die unto self" Here the aged prophet exercised his supernatural power and they went over on dry ground" (v. 8. Though this Journey seems to have been revealed only stage by stage, yet 1t was direct to the final goal, and at each stage, fhnTroh hn hax knew where to so next. This loyalty of Elisha to Elijah is a great lesson for us to follow in our service of Christ-our privilege of loyalty to his cause and the blessing which will re- suit thereby. No great victory or travail and testing.
 II. sIijah's Translation, w. e-12a. Even as in the first section we see in type the plan of salvation so in this section we are taught the resultant facts and the experiments which com to Us when the blessing is received. Elisha is now encouraged to "ask, D yet we have a like promise from a greater than Elijah which we too often neglect John 14:13, 15:1D. Elijah was such a mighty man of prayer Games 5:17, 1S) that he was on inti- mate terms with God and could there fore make such an offer to Elisha (see Acts S:15. ID. Notice that the fifty sons of the prophets" who "stood afar off were not on the right side of the riuor fn rnnniun q 1ilya rrnr1liSn or an ter into the same fellowship. In a sense this was Elisha's final test. Again Elijah may not have known the plan of God that man so unlike him. self was to take the place of leader ship. Elijah said, however. If thou If God gives you spiritual vision to use and to understand, then he will accept you as my successor. There must be persistence to the end and spiritual vision. "As they still went on" Elijah went up, not in a chariot but attended by chariots and by a "whirlwind into heaven" (See also Ezek. IA; II Kings 6:17). Elijah, the man of tempestuous fire and sword, who in his hour of weakness prayed to die, is swept out of sight amid display of Gods power in and through nature.
 Note the simplicity of the record one verse-as though such power were simple and a common thing for Je- hovan.
 The translation of Jesus was quite different and properly so (Acts Is; Luke 24:51).
 And he saw it."
 Elisha's eyes were open and he saw his departing chief, therefore he De- came his successor according to the promise.
 As visible proof of his new ap- pointment Elijah let his well-known mantle fall as he ascended, and Ell sna took it and is recognized as Eli jahs successor.
 What is heaven? Read the last chap ters of Revelation.
 Do we live after death? Elijah and Moses on the Mount of Transtigura-