The Ascension
“And when He had spoken these things (last instructions to His followers), while the beheld, He was taken up; and a cloud received Him out of their sight (the Shekinah Glory of God, which enveloped Christ as He ascended) (Acts 1:9 ESB commentary).
Wow! Imagine being present and watching as the Lord ascended to return to His Father. The Apostles had experienced so much in the past three and one half years. They witnessed incredible healings, the Lord’s amazing teachings, and His love and care for them. The crucifixion came and great sadness came their way. Three days later they had great joy with the Resurrection restoring their Lord to them. And now, their precious Lord was leaving to return to His Father and their must have been great sadness along with the incredible experience of witnessing His Ascension.
“And while they looked steadfastly toward Heaven as He went up, behold two men stood by them in white apparel (Angels); which also said, you men of Galilee, why do stand gazing up into Heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into Heaven, so shall come in like manner as you have seen Him go into Heaven” (Acts 1:10,11).
Saddened by the Lord’s departure, the Angels reminded them of the Lord’s promise to return (the Second Coming). The mention of His return by the Angels must have reminded the Apostles of what the Lord had told them just prior to His crucifixion. He said that He would leave them soon, but that He would come again and receive them to Himself which speaks of the Rapture of the church. The Angels told them just how He would come at the end of age, that is, at the end of the Great Tribulation. They told them that the Lord would descend at the very place that He had ascended (Mt Olivet), and in the same manner, at the Second Coming only with a Glory that the world had never seen.
“For as the lightening comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man” (Matthew 24:27).
So what were the Lord’s last words to His beloved followers. Our introductory verse references these. They are of extreme significance as they were His last instructions to those present and to those that would follow down through the years. He told them the following:
“But you shall receive power, after that thee Holy Spirit is come upon you: and you shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of earth” (Acts 1:8).
The Lord was telling them that the Holy Spirit would now come to help them and, in fact, abide within them. This was made possible by His sacrificial death on the Cross to pay the sin debt. They would be empowered by the Holy Spirit for victory over sin (Romans 8:2), and would receive power and leading to proclaim the Gospel (Acts 1:8 -the Baptism with the Holy Spirit). The Lord had not left them alone, but would come to them through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.
It is the same for us today. As believers, we have the Holy Spirit living within us and leading us in work of the Kingdom. The Lord commanded us to occupy until He comes, which calls for living a Holy life and sharing the greatest news the world has ever heard with this fallen world. He came and paid the price at Calvary so that we could be saved from our fallen nature and brought into relationship with the Father and the Son. We are to share our certain hope of His soon return with all those that we meet. We’ll close with the Lord’s last words to us in the last chapter of the Book of Revelation which closes out the Bible.
“I am the Alpha an the Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and last. He (Jesus) which testifies these things says, Surely I come quickly (suddenly)” (Revelation 22:13,20).
Prayer Changes Things
The Lord wants us to come to Him with all our needs. Prayer requests can be left on the comments page of this website.
“For the eyes of the Lord are on the Righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers…” (1 Peter 3:12).
The Lord hears our prayers and is faithful to answer.
Always Remember,
God Loves You!
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Here I Am, Lord – Tom Quinn Ministries – tqministries.com 2024
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