Scripture: Acts 1 v 9 - 11:
"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."
What an amazing sight for people 2000 years ago to witness! Firstly, they had known this miracle Person as a close friend and teacher, who had lived among them, for 3 years. They had seen Him heal lepers; open blind eyes and deaf ears; raise the dead before He was crucified. Then He was resurrected from the dead.
Not only did they see, touch, dine with and walk through walls, but when He was resurrected, all the old prophets and men of renown like Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Isaac, Moses, David etc appeared too, walking around Jerusalem and probably telling everyone who they were. Matthew 27 v 50 - 54.
Jesus did a quick ascent that day too, to lead captivity captive and deliver them to His Father. He told Mary in the garden, who was the first to see Him in His resurrected body, not to touch Him as He had not yet ascended to His Father. He was next seen by His disciples on the road to Emmaus.
Now His followers watched Him ascend into heaven and two men in white, people they did not recognize, were telling them Jesus Christ will return the same way. He had told them the things that would be occurring on Earth when He was on His way back.
Israel would be a nation again. This happened in 1948, after 1900 years without a homeland. He said there would be climate change, plagues, famines, earthquakes, extreme weather phenomena, wars and rumours of wars, divorces, much heart disease, etc. Does any of this sound familiar?
He said this gospel of His kingdom must be preached in every nation. Through media outlets like Twitter and Facebook, the Internet and Whatsapp, only countries that are not linked to these networks may not have heard the gospel.
So everything Jesus said about His return has happened, and continues all around us. Scientists know that the pollution of this planet is irreversible. Every attempt to bring the authorities of this world to their senses ran out thirty years ago. From their perspective the planet is on life support. When Jesus and His people, the born again saints, return to Earth, He will take 1000 years, the 7th millennium, to restore this Earth to the way He created it.
There will be no sin, sickness or death. There will be no war, rape, hatred, murder, fear, lack, religions, corruption, sleaze, slavery, kidnapping, worry or sorrow. But only those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life will live here. Everyone else will be getting ready for the Day of Judgment. The time to finalise your choice is now.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, it was a glorious day for You when Jesus returned to Heaven after such a long absence while He was about Your business. That was our salvation He was busy with. Many sceptics mock that He will never return, but Jesus has never lied, and now everything is ready for the day of the Lord. We rejoice as we look forward with great expectation of His coming and pray earnestly for all to know Him before that day. In Jesus' name. Amen.
