“And when He had spoken these things, while they beheld, He was taken up; and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly 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” Acts 1:9-11
Last Thursday was Ascension Day. Traditionally celebrated by the Church forty days after Easter, based upon Acts 1:3 “...being seen of them forty days” The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ now sits at the right hand of God the Father in heaven. 'At the right hand' is a term that signifies the very highest place of honour and power.
“Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high” Hebrews 1:3
“But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God” Hebrews 10:12
The Ascension of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is a fact that is so important to grasp. The fact that Jesus was so honoured by God the Father, to be given the most exalted place in the universe, shows us that our Saviour is all glorious! He alone is worthy of this glory. He dealt with our sins upon the cross, then He sat down – His wondrous work complete – FOREVER!
I want you to notice the angel's message to the disciples, as Jesus was taken up from them.
“This same Jesus.......shall so come in like manner..” The exact same way that he went, will be the exact same way that He comes again! AMEN! He is not coming back 'spiritually' as so many proclaim today. He bodily went and HE WILL RETURN BODILY!
It is also THIS SAME JESUS that is returning. So many professing Christians will get caught out here. They are presenting another or different Jesus other than the Jesus of the Bible. (2 Corinthians 11:4) The Church of Rome sees Jesus as coming in the Eucharist, not in the clouds of heaven. So the Jesus they look for is not the Jesus of the Bible!
THIS SAME JESUS – the same Jesus that healed the sick. The same Jesus that raised the dead. The same Jesus that stilled the storm on the lake and even walked upon the waves. The same Jesus that hung upon the cross, taking on Himself the wrath of God for our sin. The same Jesus that was raised from the dead, who burst the bars of death and hell for us. THIS SAME JESUS IS RETURNING!
I'm looking for that day. The day when I shall be with Jesus forever. Saved by His wondrous grace alone.
That day is getting nearer as each day passes. We are now in the end, of the end times. It's almost midnight when the cry will go up “Behold the Bridegroom cometh” Matthew 25:6
Remember, Jesus is preparing a place for the TRULY SAVED!. (John 14:3) He is returning to take us there. It's time to prepare!
Brotherly love....Pastor Keith
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