The Ascension And His Promised Return
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