Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1922-02-02
LESSON FOR FEBRUARY S
EtlJAH TAKEN UP INTO HEAVEN

GGiSRff thREN VI iNiO HEAVEN
LESSON TExT.--II Kings. 2:i-1s.
GOLDEN TEXT.-Be thou faithful unto
death. and i win give thee crown of
ltfe.--Rev. 2:10
REFERENCE MATERIAL-Mark s:2-s:
Ii Tim. Ais
PRIMARY ToPIC-God Takes Elijah to
Heaven.
JUNIOR TOPIC Elijah Taken Up Into
Heaven
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
--Jshoyah's Champion Exalted.
FOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Divine Approval OF Faithful Service.
|, God Reveals to Elijah His APP
preaching Rapture (v -.
1t was made known to Elijah that
be was to go to heaven by q whirl-
wind. There is striking correspond
enee 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
home going, but was ready.
II. EIiIah'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
airy duties.
1. Visits the schools of the prophets
{vv. 2-S). At the Lords direction he
vent 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
stfuction. Schools were located at
Gilgal, Bethel and Jericho. His edu-
csticnal york shows him to have been
not merely an iconoclast but a 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 pillow 'U Kings 19:19-2D
Elisha chung to his master to the very
last In spite Of three urgent requests
fer him to remain behind. These
tests were somewhat like those Of the
Master with Peter (John q :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 vital expert.
enee Of Gods best. That walk began
at .Gilgal The typical significance of
Gilgaf cannot be mistaken by any
reader Of Joshua. Gilgal was the place
where a redeemed people rolled away
the reproach of Egypt (Josh. SLID.
'.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.. 2sa-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 pf power awaited the prophet
III. EIiIsh's Rapture wv 9-1I.
/. EIisha's request of Elijah ". 81.
The walk of Elisha with Elijah from
Gilgaf 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 noble request
---did not ask for riches, honor or posi-
tien., He supremely desired the quail
Acations which would enable him to
wsrthily succeed Elijah. Curiously
enough, however, Elisha performed
twice as many miracles as Elijah.
q The condition Of receiving was
steadfastness and perseverance ".
1ol. He must have faith in the in
visible life In order to have power for
public ministry.
3. Elijah's rapture (v. III. 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
the appearing of Christ Il Cor. Is 81,
So.
". Tbs Spirit OF Elijah Upon
Elisha (vv. 12-15).
i. Blisha's cry ". 12). He cried
after Elijah. 'sThe chariot of Israel
and the horsemen thereof" This
shows the value OF a gcdly man to
his cenntry. 1t implies that Elijah
Was the true national defense. God
illness and character are more iinpor-
tant than armies and navies.
q Elisha uses the power wv. IS,
14}. He had faith to put the power
to test
g.. The spirit of Elijah on Elisha ".
49, This was confirmed by the sons
Of the prophets.
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A Prophecy of Christ.