Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-10-09
Translation Of Prophet.

Translation OF Prophet.
The historian recording one of the
sublimest scenes in the Old Testament
contents himself with using the SIM
plest statements in one verse to in
form US how. separated by spiritual
forces from his loving loyal friend. God
took Elijah up in a whirlwind into
heaven. Elijah with his keen vigilance
to see his masters departure saw his
departing chief going up in the storm.
He claimed the fuInllment Of the
promise Of power by proving that he
saw him being taken up from him by
the description he gave Of his vision
The man who had suffered the hard
ships of the wilderness and the perse-
cutions OF an apostate people received
from Jehovah q striking sanction Of
approval upon his ministry by being
translated. Only two have gone up to
heaven without passing through the
tomb. The Jews accepted the transla-
ton of Elijah as testimony Of the i'm
mortality of the soul.
1t contains message to us concern
ing the future. 1t appears to point
prophetically to the time when I'VE
which are alive and remain shall be
caught up with Christ" when the last
enemy. which is death. shall be de-
stroyed and we shall all be changed in
a moment, in the twinkling of an eye,
at the last trump.
The lesson has in 1t material for prac-
teal applications that bear upon our
of strength to Elisha as the successor
Of Elijah. AS a visible proof of his ap-
pointment the ascending prophet let
fall to the earth his well known sheep
skin mantle from the opening heaven
Our Lord as assembled sent upon His
waiting and watching Church the pow
err of the Holy Spirit to mt them FOR
His service. to aid each member to 1nd
his place of service and to nnlsh the
work that Is started.
Elisha had faith to accept the prom
Uses of the prophet concerning the
equipment with power. Christ has
wilf.hll us with the power Of the Holy
Spirit II we accept his promises and
dare to go forth to do His work in the
strength that He will fmpart by His
presence and power. Let US seek above
all else Christs gift of spiritual power
so that we make our life tell for the
glory of our Lord.
The passing of Elijah left vacant a
great field of usefulness for Elisha, VINO
picked up his masters sheepskin man
BY so doing he responded to Gods call.
and when he smote the waters OF the
Jordan. depending not upon his own
power, his office or Elijah. but his GOD,
| the assembled sons of the prophets that
Elisha possessed the power OF Elijah.
/ The departure of those who are called
hence gives us our opportunity to take
| up the work God calls US to do. SO that
the tasks left unfinished by them may
be completed for His glory. The work.
| ers die, but Gods work goes on.
II he has given US the vision Of the
worlds need and of the unseen sptr-
| itual forces that surround us in life and
in death he has given to us the same
condition of power that Elisha possessed.
| What we do in this life largely depends
upon our spiritual vision. The man of
power sees that God 10 In the world
making all things work together for
His glory and the good of those that
| love Him Elijah and Elisha were of
more value to Israel than all its armies.
4 The men of spiritual vision are the
greatest assets possessed by any ma
ton The men who have left the great
est influence upon the history of the
world have been men Of moral force.
The first step in the program Of ma :
tional preparedness calls for the moral
development OF the nation. Let us seek
| to be worthy SUCCESSORS Of the heroes
Of spiritual power Of past generations
by not only praying for God to give
us grace ITO follow In their train" but
by using the dynamic spiritual power
God has given US so that when we pass
from time to eternity IL may be to re-
ceive the merited commentator, "W ell
done, good and faithful servant. enter
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