Acts 1: 3-11
After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
So when they meet together, they asked him, “Lord are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
A Thought
After Jesus had suffered death on the cross and had been resurrected, he appeared teaching them for forty days. Jesus gave them proof that he was alive and made sure they understood to wait in Jerusalem for the gift that his Father had promised–to baptize them with the Holy Spirit. It appears that they still did not understand the spiritual things Jesus was trying to teach them. They questioned Jesus if He would restore the kingdom to Israel at this time. Jesus told them it was not for them to know the time or date. This is under his Father’s authority. Jesus wanted them to understand that they would be witnesses to his accession back into heaven and the kingdom of God after they received power from the Holy Spirit. After Jesus ascended before their eyes, two men appeared and told them Jesus will return back to earth in this same manner that they had witnessed him go into heaven.
Our Prayer
Father open our hearts to receive the witness of what Jesus accomplished by his life, death and resurrection. Thank you that Jesus will return to earth at your appointed day and time. We desire for Jesus to find faith on earth when he returns. We ask for the power of your Holy Spirit to reveal the truth of your Word that we might continue to be witnesses of your kingdom to the ends of the earth, in Jesus’ name, amen.
