The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1922-01-26
LESSON FOR FEBRUARY 5
ELIJAH TAKEN UP INTO HEAVEN

LESSON TENTH Kings. 21-lb.
GOLDEN TExT.-Be thou faithful unto
death. and I will give thee a crown OF
REFERENCE MATERIAL.-Mark s:2-s:
II Tim. ais.
PRIMARY ToPIc-God Takes Elijah to
Heaven.
JUNIOR ToPIc-EnJah Taken Up Into
Heaven.
INTERMEDIATES AND SENIOR TOPIC
--Jehovahs Champion Exalted.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Divine Approval OF Faithful Service.
I. God Reveals to Elijah His Ap-
preaching Rapture " ID.
II was made known to Elijah that
he was to go TO heaven by whiri-
wind. There Ia 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 reward
for his faithfulness, God lifted the
prophet over death into heaven.
Elijah did not choose the time Of his
horne 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.
I. 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 we're located at
Gilgal. Bethel and Jericho. His edu-
cational 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-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 pillow Il Kings 10 :19-2I.
Elisha chung to his master to the very
hast In spite of three urgent requests
for him to remain behind. These
tests were somewhat like those Of the
Master with Peter John Il ibid,
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 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 Gosh. 5:1-1D.
"The next stage was Bethel-houss
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 20 on from Bethel to Jordan.
Jordan stands for the New Testament
truth. crucified with Christ. There.
on the resurrection side % Jordan,
the gift Of power awaitedtAe prophet"
~. EmIah's Raptu.. wv. OLD. II
1. Elisha's reqp 81 Of Elijah ". o..
The walk Of Eaisha with Elitah from
Gilgai to Jc.tian has prepared him for
the final question Of E',Jah before his
rapture. Elijah nov knew that II
was safe to alloy Elisha to choose for
himself. Elisha made a noble request
did not ask for riches. honor or POSI-
ton. He supremely 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 "
lO. He must have faith In the In
!, visible life In order to have power fos
I public ministry.
a 3. Elijah's rapture ". III. II
seems that he went to heaven In Z
: chariot of fire enveloped by the whiri
wind. Elijah underwent that chang>
which all believers shall experience al
5 the appearing of Christ Il Cor. 1871
e 52).
|, ~. The Spirit Of Elijah upos
: Elisha wv. 12-15).
/ /. Elisha's cry ". 12). He criet
after Elijah. "rhe chariot OF lsrae
ana the horsemen thereof Till
shows the value Of godly man Z
his country. 1t implies that Elijal
was the true national defense. God
illness and character are more impor
tant than armies and navies.
2. Elisha uses the power wv. Is
40. He had faith to put the powe
to test.
8. The spirit OF Elijah on Elisha "
> l5). This was confirmed by the son
Of the prophets.