The Clio messenger., 1915-10-08

there are pleasures forever more
Ps. Ell.
This chapter is in type the Chris
tian's chapter. There are two chief
divisions: Cd Translation Wv. 1-12;
(2) reception and use of power w.
1925. The event occurred probably
800 Il. c. This is 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. 1-8. 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 no.
tice was sent from God that the time
of his departure was at hand. How
Elisha learned this fact the record
does not suggest, but he had had
great object lesson in Elijah's faith
full, stej-bystep obedience to Jehov-
abs word and doubtless was listening
keenly for Elijah's words and for the
voice of Jehovah. This explains
Elisha's tenacity. fGilgal w. Il means
"wheei'-our reproach rolled away.
Peter 5:7; Ps. 50 :22). Elijah had
already learned the lesson of being
supplanted by younger man and so
he gracefully allows Elisha to follow
him. Bethel" the house of God,
was good place to tarry but not for
Elisha at this time. Now (v. 81
fifty 'sOns" the prophet
seek To dissuade Elisha. Knowing
something was about to happen, they
stood To view afar off, but were not
willing to draw night, to follow like
Elisha. They thereby failed to reap "a
rich reward (John II :26). Jericho
(v. A. means "fra grance.' 1t Is the
place of temptation II Cor. 1919.
This was II miles farther and con-
tanned settlement of prophets. Again
Elijah and Elisha passed on, the one
to glory, the other to the fullness Of
the Holy Spirit At Jericho (y. 81
the sons of the prophet evidenced
greater interest than those at Bethel.
but In reply to their challenge Elisha
commanded silence. The last diff
Guilty to confront them was Jordan
tdeath). but they ds not hesitate, for
God had provided even for that con-
t1ngency. Neither are we to hesitate
but willingly "die unto self" Here
the aged prophet exercised his super
natural power and they went over on
dry ground (v. 81. Though this
journey seems to have been revealed
only stage by stage, yet it was direct
TO the final goal, and at each stage.
though they saw not the end, they
knew where to go next This LOYALTY
of Elisha to Elijah IS great lesson
for us to follow i'm our service of
Christ-our privilege Of loyalty to his
cause and the blessing which will re-
suit thereby. No great victory or
blessing ever comes without much
travail and testing.
III. EIijah's Translation, wv. 8-Iza.
Even as in the first section we see i'm
type the plan of salvation so i'm this
section we are taught the resultant
facts and the experiments which come
to us when the blessing is received.
Elisha Is now encouraged to "ask."
yet we have a like promise from n
greater than Elijah which we too Oft
en- neglect (John 14:13, 15ID. Ell
JAN was such mighty man of prayer
(James 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, 10. Notice that the "fifty
sons of the prophets" who "stoOd afar
on were not on the right side of the
river to receive like promise or en-
ter into the same fellowship. In n
sense this was Elisha's final test.
Again Elijah may not have known the
plan or God that man so unlike him
self was to take the place of leader
ship. Elijah said, however. .'if tbOu
see me when i am taken from thee"
II God gives you spiritual vision to
use and to understand, then he win
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 n
.whirlwind into heaven" (See also
Ezek. Ia; III 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
ne verse-as though such power were
a simple and common thing for Je-
hOvah.
The translation Of Jesus was quite
different and properly so Acts. %:
Luke 24:51).
"And he saw It,"
Elisha's eyes were open and he saw
his departing chief. therefore he be-
came his successor according to the
vromise.
AS a visible proof Of his new an
pointment Elijah let his well known
mantle fall, as he ascended, and Eli
sha took it and is recognized as Eli
jah's successor.
What is heaven? Read the last
chapters Of Revelation.
DO we live after death? Elijah and
Moses on the Mount of Transfigura-
ton, and the resurrected Christ proved
that death Is but the transference to
another fold of acti vitv