The Penn's Grove record., 1922-02-03
LESSON FOR FEBRUARY 5
ELIJAA TAKEN UP INTO HEAVEN

LESSON TEXT.-II Kings. 2:1-1b.
GOLDEN TExT.-Bs thou faithful unto
death, and I will give thee a crown OF
ufs.-Rsy. 2:1o.
REFERENCE MATERIAL-Mark s:aS;
II Tim. 4:1-2.
PRIMARY ToPIc-God Takes Elijah to
Heaven.
JUNIOR ToPIC-Elijah Taken Up Into
Heaven.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
-JShovah's Champion Exalted.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Divine Approval Of Faithful Service
I. God Reveals to Elijah His Ap-
preaching Rapture " u.
1t was made known to Elijah that
he was to- go to heaven by 3 whirl-
wind. There is a 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 f%aithfulness, God lifted the
prophet over death into heaven.
Elijah did not choose the time of his
home-gOing, but was ready.
II. EllIah'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.
!. Visits the schools of the prophets
-. q ON - Al, I orIsC Itrnaffnn hn
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
Gilgal, Bethel and jericho: His edu-
catlonai work shows him to have been
not merely an iconoclast, but a states
man of a high order.
2. Trains Elisha to be his successor
wv. 2-8). 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 pillow Il Kings 10 :19-21).
Elisha 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 q IBID.
The great object was to get him ready
to take up the work which Elijah was
r. i- Tho ordar ~ nroprasa
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 began
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).
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, crucifed with Christ. There,
on the resurrection side of Jordan,
the gift Of power awaited the prophet"
~. EIijah's Rapture wv. GID.
l. Elisha's request of Elijah ". 81.
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-
ton. 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 ". 11). 1t
seems that he went to heaven in a
chariot of fire enveloped by the whirl-
wind. Elijah underwent that change
which all believers shall experience at
Inc appearing vi ChllSl VI Soi' 10 'oAi
52).
~. The Spirit Of Elijah Upon
Elisha wv. 12-15).
l. Elisha's cry ". 12). He cried
after Elijah, "The chariot of Israel
and the horsemen thereof" This
shows the value of a godly la tc
his country. 1t implies that Elijah
was the true national defense. God.
illness and character are more impor
tant thar armies and navies.
2. Elisha uses the power wv. 10
14). He had faith to put the power
t o test.
8. The spirit of Elijah IN Elisha "
15). This was confirmed by the son:
of the prophets.