Acts 1:1-11
Dear RTB’ers,
One of the men in white clothing speaking, “This Jesus, Who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven.” (v. 11) The angels tell the disciples that Jesus will return in the same way that He left. To me, initially, that means He will come in a “cloud”, somehow (Acts 1:9b). Or thinking further, maybe not a cloud, but an “emerging appearance”, seen by everyone in the entire world, simultaneously. I try to picture that and put myself into that picture. And I’m blown away!! Every Sunday we say together, “Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.” And almost every time I hear emphasis on the word “will”. It’s a belief that we hold, that the apostles and Paul held strongly in those first years after Jesus ascended, that Jesus WILL return. Have you put yourself into that picture?
He presented Himself alive to them after His suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days… (v. 3a) Paul expands on the information that Luke provides, “…that Christ died …, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day …, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive …, Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared also to me.” (I Corinthians 15:3b-8) In the next verses Paul goes on to explain the importance of Jesus’ Resurrection and His many post-Resurrection appearances. (I Corinthians 15:12-19) I have my own summary statement for that later paragraph, “If Christ is not raised from the dead, we are, of all people, the most to be pitied.” But Jesus is raised and WILL come again!! Foundational, fundamental beliefs. GLORY!!
Blessings!