Coming Again

Today’s Verse:

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. ~Acts 1:11

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Years ago, I made a missions trip to an upper interior area of China. This area was once under the rule of Genghis Khan, the Mongolian conqueror. My team and I met a house church there that was very friendly and inquisitive to us. After 3-4 days of preaching and teaching, the Lord knit the hearts of these believers with us. All of the church leaders accompanied us to the airport on the day of our departure. There were many tears, embraces, and exchanges of Christian love. They watched my team and me as we made our way past security and the gate until we were gone. That experience spoke volumes to me on how the disciples must have felt after Jesus ascended to Heaven.

We see the weeping.

“And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up.” They did not take their eyes off of Jesus as He ascended up to Heaven. Their gaze was mixed with tears. They started to miss Jesus’ fellowship with them. They may have thought, “I wish He could have stayed longer.” They might have thought, “I wish I spent more time with Him when He was here.” Do you miss Jesus when you miss your Bible reading time or prayer? Do you miss Jesus when you are not in your place at church? Never take His presence and fellowship for granted.

We see the wondering.

The disciples were gazing up into Heaven as Jesus disappeared in the clouds. They were all wondering, “When will we see Him again?” “When will He come again?” Jesus told them in John 14:2-3 that He would come again and receive them unto Himself. However, whenever we get caught up in an emotional moment, we tend to forget what we are told. When we wonder, we can become anxious. When we wonder, we can become doubtful. When we wonder, we can become paralyzed into inactivity.

We see the witness.

“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.” As Jesus was taken up, two angels were sent down. The word for “angel” can also be translated messenger. These angels gave witness to the fact that “this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go up.” There was the witness of His deity. This same Jesus referred to Jesus Who is God, truth, risen from the dead, and all-powerful. They had to be reminded of Jesus and His power. There was the witness of the doctrine. The doctrine of His return is being referred to. He will come again in glory. At the Rapture, we will meet Him in the air. At His Second Coming, He will come in glory, power, and in victory. He will return in the same victorious way as He went up.

We see the watchfulness.

The disciples lived in anticipation of Jesus’ coming. Paul, Peter, James, and John all wrote about the coming of the Lord. All of them lived their lives as if He was coming at any moment. The code word for every believer is “watch!” Don’t fall asleep when you should be awake – watch! Don’t be lax in your testimony – watch!

Jesus is coming again! Love his appearing. Pray, “Even so, come Lord Jesus!”

Have a watchful God Morning!

Bible Reading Schedule: Genesis 48-50

#Acts #Rapture #SecondComing