Todays readings.. 2 Chronicles 21&22, Daniel 3, Acts 1
We started reading the Acts of the Apostles today – it was written by Luke; his “first book” [1 v.1] was his gospel. He provides us with the plainest reference to what was said by the angels as Jesus left the disciples. “Two men … in white robes… Men of Galilee … why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” [1 v.11] – as Jesus ascended into heaven.
Mark also records this event and states, “the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. “ [16 v.19]
We believe Jesus “will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”” – and how close are we now to that event!? Today’s generation, with God’s word available in all languages, is completing the task of taking the divine message to all nations and all languages “to the end of the earth.”
Jesus words, as recorded by Matthew, are specific, “this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” [24 v.14] “The nations” are as God sees them, not as how man has split them – and tried to ‘meld’ some of them, with their different languages together.
And when the end comes, let us make sure we are among those waiting for their Master, who will see him “come in the same way as” he was seen, by human eyes, to go into heaven.”
How close are we now to that event? There have been many anticipations over the years, indeed – over the centuries – and now that the nation of Israel has been reborn – anticipations at first increased! Let us increase our faith – and remember the climax Jesus gave to his parable of the wise and foolish virgins as to when (our) bridegroom would return! “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” [Matt. 25 v.13] Not even the hour! How sudden! It will utterly astonish the earth! And us?