Ancient Words For Today - 65
In Florida, throughout the United States and around the world via telescope and newscast, many eyes were watching the recent launch and return to space of the Discovery space shuttle. It was a perfect launch but we quickly lost sight of the Discovery in the clouds as it climbed high into space. After completing their mission, the Discovery and crew safely returned to earth at the time appointed by NASA.
This reminds me of a different moment in time, when the eyes of the disciples were fixed upon Jesus as He ascended into the clouds, following His resurrection, to return to His Heavenly Father. Here is the Biblical account of that important event and the promise of His return:
When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 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 stedfastly 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 1:6-11
The Bible foretells a day in the future, appointed by the Father, when every eye shall see the Lord Jesus Christ as He returns to the earth to set up His kingdom. There are many people that don’t believe Jesus rose from the dead. Others wonder if there even was an historic Jesus. Most of the world views Jesus as a good man who had a great impact through His teaching and the miracles He performed. But the Bible clearly declares Jesus to be the promised Messiah, God in the flesh, our savior who came to earth from Heaven to save the people from their sins through His own suffering and death on the cross - as a substitute for us. There is a day appointed when Jesus will come again, to rule and to reign on earth, and those who have placed their trust in Him will rule with Him. He will also judge those who have rejected Him and He will reject them from entering into His kingdom and will send them to another place, away from His presence for ever.
It was exciting to see the Discovery ascend into space. It will be even more exciting for believers when Jesus returns and we see Him in all His glory and dwell in His presence for eternity. In the meantime, we need to keep our eyes focused upon Jesus, trusting Him to guide us through life and provide for us until that day when we see Him in His kingdom with our own eyes! Jesus told His followers to go forth throughout the world and tell others the good news so that they also could find peace with God and enter His eternal kingdom. Here are the Biblical accounts recording the final words of Jesus before He rose into the clouds:
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. Mark 16:15-19
Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28:16-20
God bless you as you follow Him and spread the good news!