In the Same Way – May 13, 2021

They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
Acts 1:10,11

In the Same Way

Today the Christian Church remembers how Jesus ascended into heaven forty days after he rose from the dead. He had appeared to over 500 people during those forty days, and it was clear that he was alive. Would he keep appearing to them? It was a legitimate question on the minds of the people who saw Jesus ascend into the sky until a cloud hid him from their sight.

Two angels addressed what was on their minds. They said that Jesus had gone to heaven. And there would be no doubt about how he would return. It would not be in secret. It would not be to redo what he had already done.

When Jesus returns, it will be judgment day. He will appear in the sky quite visibly. Angels will accompany him. Souls from heaven will accompany him. Their bodies will rise from the dead, glorified, and the souls will reoccupy those glorified bodies. Those who are still alive will be gathered by the angels from around the world and brought to the place where Jesus is visibly returning.

You will be there. You will know it is judgment day. Jesus will return in the same way that those people saw him go into heaven. You can trust that at that moment, God will keep the promise the angel made, the one that says, “whoever believes in him will have eternal life.”

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, when you return for judgment day, let me see you with joy as my Savior. Amen.