, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you." Elijah
had not _really ascended_. The Lord just took him up as he had taken
Enoch many years before. He was in heaven whilst on earth, just as
Jesus was. The only change he underwent in his departure from this
world was a change in the relations of his state. While here his
_state_ was a _heavenly_ state, but surrounded by earthly things.
After his departure from earth his _state_ was the same; but his
surroundings were heavenly, and he could feel at home.

THE ANGELS.

No wonder, Brethren, that the angels desire to look into these things.
Some very good and wise men are of the opinion that all the angels of
heaven are none other than saints redeemed from the earth. How this
may be I do not know; but some things that the Bible says about angels
seem to favor this conclusion. The main thing in this direction is the
deep interest they have always felt, and the active part they have
always taken in the things of man's salvation. Paul covers this whole
ground by a single sweep of his pen. "Are they not all," says he,
"ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be
heirs of salvation?" Of course he means by the _heirs of salvation_
those still tabernacling in the flesh, and still exposed to the ups
and downs of the waves of life.

I think, though, that one reason why the angels feel such a deep
interest in the things of man's salvation is because they are
there--in heaven, I mean--always beholding the face of our Father who
is in heaven. They see and feel the glory; they know the bliss of that
celestial state. So full of love are they even for poor, fallen, lost,
ruined man that we are told by the Lord himself that "there is joy in
the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth."
Their joy in this is commensurate with the exalted knowledge they have
of the blessedness of true penitence. In it they see light shining in
the darkness of the poor sinner's heart. Peace to the waves of his
storm-beaten soul,--a new creature in the image of their and our Lord
Jesus Christ coming forth into the enjoyment of a new life in him;
deliverance from the bondage and power of sin, and restoration to the
glorious liberty of the children of God! How much more than all this
they see in the return of one soul to God. I do not know; and we never
can know fully until we go up higher.

"The blessedness of those above,
Why longs my panting soul to know