Middletown transcript., 1922-02-04
LESSON FOR FEBRUARY 5
ELIJAH TAKEN UP INTO HEAVEN

Wv
ELIJAH TAKEN UP INTO HEAVEN
LESSON TExT.-II Kings, 2:1-15.
GOLDEN TExT.-Be thou faithful unto
uss usath; ana ! will give thee q crown OF
ife.-Rev. 2:10.
REFERENCE MATERIAL-Marks s:e-s:
II Tim. 4:1-8
PRIMARY ToPIc-God Takes Elijah to
Heaven.
JUNIOR ToPIc-Elijah Taken Up Into
Heaven.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
-Jehovah's Champion Exalted.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Divine Approval OF Faithful Service.
I. God Reveals to Elijah His Ap.
preaching Rapture " ~.
1t was made known to Elijah that
he was to go to heaven by whirl-
wind. There is striking correspond
ence between his life and his home-
going. Much of his life was charac-
ferized 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.
u. 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. We should so consciously
be in the will of God that when the
time of our departure Is at hand we
need not with feverish haste or dis
traction get things in readiness
Elijah's last days ON earth were busy
ones.
l. Visits the schools of the prophets
wv. 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
tvv. 2-S). There was 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 21 :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, 1.-THE experience of every child
CT God who enters into a vital expert.
ence Of Gods best. That walk began
at Gilgal. The typical significance of
Gilgal cannot be mistaken by any
reader of Joshua. Gilgal was the place
where redeemed people rolled away
the reproach of Egypt (Josh. 5:1-1I.
1.-THE next stage was Bethel-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. 28:1-19). 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"
III. EIijah's Rapture wv. Oily.
| ose af ioh
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 1t
was safe to allow Elisha to choose for
himself. Elisha made a noble request
did not ask for riches, honor or posi-
tion. He supremely desired the quail
fcations 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 ".
10Y. He must have faith in the In.
visible life in order to have power for
public ministry.
8. ~Elijah's rapture ". 1I. II
seems that he went to heaven in q
chariot of fire enveloped by the whirl
wind. Elijah underwent that change
which all believers shall experience al
the appearing of Christ Il Cor. Is :51
52).
w. The Spirit OF Elijah Upon
Elisha wv. 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 tt
his country. 1t implies that Elijah
was the true national defense. God
liness and character are more impor
tant than armies and navies.
2. Elisha uses the power wv. 13
14). He had faith to put the power
to test.
8. The spirit of Elijah on Elisha "
15). This was confirmed by the soni
Of the prophets.