August 7, 2018 EXPECTING HIS RETURN
Acts 1:9-11 “And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was departing, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them; and they also said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into the sky? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.’”
I cannot even imagine what it would have been like to have been there with the disciples when Jesus was taken up to heaven! What an awesome moment that was in all of human history. Exciting as it was to witness Jesus ascension into heaven that day, the central truth and the message of this verse is that He is coming back in the same way! In recent years, there has been less and less teaching and preaching, and fewer books written dealing with the return of Jesus. Certainly in the scriptures we find many instructions on how we are to live as unto the Lord in this earthly life, but we also find much said about His return and being united with Him in heaven. Actually, much of the motivation and reason for living in a way that is pleasing to the Lord and in keeping with the gospel is the realization that He is coming back for His bride, the church. It is clear from the scriptures that no one knows when He will return, but we know it will be suddenly. The early church was expecting His return at any time. Just as a woman who is pregnant plans and looks forward to the birth of her baby, so should we be expecting His return. Even when we are expecting company to come to our house for a visit, we go about getting everything presentable and make ready for our company. The culture in which we live is consumed with the ‘now.’ We want what we want now and we do not like the idea of delayed gratification-we do not give much thought or considerations about the future, especially in spiritual matters. May we have the wisdom to understand and to adjust our thinking, our actions, on the fact of His return. His being taken up into heaven that day was awesome, but how much more awesome it will be when He returns. Believe it or not, forget about it or not, HE IS COMING BACK. Let us be ready.
Luke 12:40 “You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him.”
Colossians 3:4 “When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.”
1 Thessalonians 3:13 “May He strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all His holy ones.”
Blessings,
Buddy
Acts 1:9-11 “And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was departing, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them; and they also said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into the sky? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.’”
I cannot even imagine what it would have been like to have been there with the disciples when Jesus was taken up to heaven! What an awesome moment that was in all of human history. Exciting as it was to witness Jesus ascension into heaven that day, the central truth and the message of this verse is that He is coming back in the same way! In recent years, there has been less and less teaching and preaching, and fewer books written dealing with the return of Jesus. Certainly in the scriptures we find many instructions on how we are to live as unto the Lord in this earthly life, but we also find much said about His return and being united with Him in heaven. Actually, much of the motivation and reason for living in a way that is pleasing to the Lord and in keeping with the gospel is the realization that He is coming back for His bride, the church. It is clear from the scriptures that no one knows when He will return, but we know it will be suddenly. The early church was expecting His return at any time. Just as a woman who is pregnant plans and looks forward to the birth of her baby, so should we be expecting His return. Even when we are expecting company to come to our house for a visit, we go about getting everything presentable and make ready for our company. The culture in which we live is consumed with the ‘now.’ We want what we want now and we do not like the idea of delayed gratification-we do not give much thought or considerations about the future, especially in spiritual matters. May we have the wisdom to understand and to adjust our thinking, our actions, on the fact of His return. His being taken up into heaven that day was awesome, but how much more awesome it will be when He returns. Believe it or not, forget about it or not, HE IS COMING BACK. Let us be ready.
Luke 12:40 “You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him.”
Colossians 3:4 “When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.”
1 Thessalonians 3:13 “May He strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all His holy ones.”
Blessings,
Buddy
RSS Feed