The Jasper news. [volume] (Jasper, Missouri) 1898-1924, 1922-02-02

death, ana VIII give thee crown OF
life. Rev 2:l0
REFERENCE MArERIAI.-Mark BPS;
PRIMARY ToPIc-God Takes Elijah to
Heaven.
JUNIOR TOPIC Elijah Taken Up Into.
Heaven.
INTERMEDIATES AND SENIOR TOPIC |
--Jehoyah's Champion Exalted.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC |
--Divine Approval OF Faithful Service.
!. God Reveals to Elijah His Ap-
preaching Rapture " ~.
1t was made known to Elijah that |
he was to 60 to heaven by q 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 I'm the whirlwind. AS a reward
for his faithfulness, God lifted the
prophet over death into heaven. 4
Elijah did not choose the time of his
home-going, but was ready.
u. EIIJah's Closing Ministry wv.
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
airy duties. r
/. Visits the schools OF the prophets
wv. 2-SI 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
structlon. Schools were located at
Gilgal, Bethel and Jericho. His edu-
cationol 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 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 pillow Il Kings 10 1920.
Elishs chung 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 :15-1T.
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 q vital expert
| ence OF Gods best. That walk began
at Gilgal. The typical significance of
Gllgal cannot be mistaken by any
reader Of Joshua. Gilgal was the place
where redeemed people rolled away
the reproach Of Egypt Gosh. 6;1-11).
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. 2S:1-19). He
must go on from Bethel to Jordan.
Jordan stands for the New Testament
truth, cruclfed with Christ. There,
on the resurrection side of Jordan,
the gift of power awaited the prophet"
~. EliIah's Rapture wv. 9-11).
| 1. Elisha's request OF Elijah ". o..
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 II
| was safe TO allow Elisha to choose for
himself. Elisha made a noble request
| did not ask for riches. honor or post
tIon.i He supremely desired the quail.
fications which would enable him to
worthily succeed Elijah. Curiously
enough, however, Elisha performed
twice as many miracles rs Elijah.
2. The condition OF receiving was
steadfastness and perseverance ",
lO). He must have faith In the In
visible life in order to have power for
public ministry.
3. Elijah's rapture ". III. II
seems that lie went to. heaven In a
chariot Of fire enveloped by the whirl-
wind. Elijah underwent that change
which all believers shall experience al
the appearing OF Christ Il Cor. 1851,
so.
~. The spirit Of elijah Upon
elisha (vv. 12-15).
| /. Elisha's cry ". 12l. He cried
after Elijah, 'srhe chariot OF Israel
and the horsemen therefor Thii
shows the value OF o cody man "a
his country. II Implies that Elljah
was the true national defense. God
illness and character are more impor
tant than armies and navies,
| z. Elisha uses the power tvv. rs
14). He had faith 10 put the poweI