Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1922-01-31
LESSON FOR FEBRUARY S
ElIJAn TAKEN vp lNro HEAVEN

EIiJAh TAKEN UP INTO HEAVEN
LESSON rEXT.-II Kings, s:f.is.
GOLDEN TExT.-Bs thou faithful unto
death. and WIN give thee crown Of
life.-Rev. 3:lo
REFERENCE MArERIAL-Mark s:s-s;
| II Tim. ALA Es
PRIMARY ToPIc-ood Take. Elijah 70
JUNIOR ToPrc-Enjah Taken Up Into
| Heaven.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
TJehovah's Champion Exalted.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Divine Approval Of Faithful Service.
I. God Reveals to Elijah His An
preaching Rapture " ~.
1t was made known to Elijah that
he was to so to heaven by whirl-
wind. There Is striking correspond
ence between his life and his home.
going. Much Of his life was charac-
terized with the rush of the storm, so
God chose to take him home to him.
self In the whirlwind. AS a reward
for his faithfulness. God lifted the
prophet over death into heaven.
Elijah did not choose the time Of his
home-going, but was ready.
10. EiiJah's Closing Ministry (vv.
2-s).
Knowing that the time Of his home
| going was near. he did not change his
manner or method Of life, but thought
| fully and calmly pursued his custom
| ary duties.
1. Visits the schools of the prophets
(vv. 2-S). At the Lords direction he
went to give his farewell counsels to
the young students whom he had been
training and upon whom the future
Of the nation politically and reli.
| giously so largely depended. He made
regular rounds In visitation and in
struction. Schools were located at
Gilgal, Bethel and Jericho. His edu-
cational work shows him to have been
not merely an iconoclast. but states.
man Of high order.
2. Trains Elisha to be his successor
(vv. 2-S). There was a real friend
ship between Elijah and Elisha,
though the one was old and the other
young. Elisha came into the life Of
Elijah In the field When Elijah called
him from the plow Il Kings 10 1920.
Elisha clung to his master to the very
last In spite Of three urgent requests
for him to remain behind. These
tests were somewhat like those Of the
Master with. Peter (John 81 :15-17).
The great object was to get him ready
to take up the work which Elijah was
to lay down. The order Of progress
Of the journey indicates, says SEQ
field, 'the experience Of every child
Of God who enters into a vital expert.
ence Of Gods best. That walk begnn
at Gilgal. The typical Significance Of
Gilgal cannot be mistaken by any
reader OF Joshua. Gilgal was the place
where a redeemed people rolled away
the reproach Of Egypt (Josh. 5:1-11).
THE next stage was Bethei-house
Of GOd-the place of vision. Of spir-
itual Insight, for Bethel was the place
where Jehovah gave Jacob the great
ladder vision (Gen. % :1-19). He
must go on from Bethel to Jordan
Jordan stands for the New Testament
truth. crucified with Christ There,
on the resurrection side Of Jordan,
the gift Of power awaited the prophet"
iil. EIiJah's Rapture wv. Gid.
I. Elisha's request OF Elijah ". 9).
The walk of Elisha with Elijah from
| Gilgal to Jordan has prepared him for
the final question OF Elijah before his
rapture. Elijah now knew that It
was safe to allow Elisha to choose for
himself. Elisha made a noble request
| did not ask for riches. honor or posi-
tiOn. He supreinely desired the quail
fications which would enable him to
worthily succeed Elijah. Curiously
enough. however, Elisha performed
twice as many miracles as Elijah.
2. The condition of receiving was
steadfastness and perseverance (v.
10). He must have faith In the in
visible life In order to have power for
public ministry.
8. Elijah's rapture ". 11). 1t
seems that he went to heaven in q
chariot Of tire enveloped by the whirl-
wind. Elijah underwent that change
which NIL believers shall experience at
the appearing Of Christ Il Cor. 1851.
52).
~. The Spirit Of Elijah Upon
Elisha (vv. 12-15).
1. Elisha's cry ". 12). He cried
after Elijah, "rhe chariot of Israel
and the horsemen thereof" This
shows the value Of godly man to
his country. 1t implies that Elijah
was the true national defense. God.
lincss and character are more impor.
tant than ARMIES and nnvies.
2. Elisha uses the power wv. 13
14). He had faith to put the power
to test.
8. The spirit of Elijah on Elisha (v
16). This was confirmed by the sons
Of the prophets.