Topic: The Ascension And His Promised Return [18th October 2017]
And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight (Acts 1:9).
The ascension of Jesus is one subject that the Church hasn’t emphasized enough around the world. We’ve talked a lot about His resurrection because it’s so important; in fact, the resurrection is the birth of Christianity. But His ascension is a most extraordinary thing that happened after His death. For the first time in human history, a man physically ascended into the presence of God, letting us know that there’s life beyond this earth realm.
He didn’t vanish or disappear. He levitated in his glorified physical body. Up until then, His maternal siblings didn’t quite believe in Him. They heard Him preach and saw the miracles He did, but one thing they couldn’t accept was the fact that He said, “I’m from above” (John 8:23). “How could that be, when He’s lived here with us, under the same roof, these many years?” they must have wondered.
But His ascension changed everything! It left no room for speculation as to His whereabouts. His disciples, His mother and siblings were all there and watched Him as He levitated and left this world. Before their very eyes, Jesus went beyond the clouds. It then dawned on them that the man they grew up with was truly the Son of God. Hallelujah!
Acts 1:10-11 says, “…while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” Yes, indeed, one day very soon, the last Church service would have held, and all that we’re doing today in preaching the Gospel will all be over: (Read 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
This is the hope of every Christian: our life with the Lord in eternity. The Bible says, “…every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure” (1 John 3:3).
PRAYER
Precious Lord Jesus, you left us with a promise that you’ll come back to take us to be with you in eternity. What a day of joy and rejoicing that will be! Thank you for such blessed hope and consolation; I’m overwhelmed with joy as I contemplate the bliss that shall be mine when I shall see you face to face. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY: 2 Timothy 4:8 John 14:3 Acts 1:10-11 AMPC
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18 Jeremiah 3-4
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: John 6:30-40 2 Kings 4
