Jesus Expected
Today is Ascension Day, and we’ve spent the whole week leading up to this moment talking about how Jesus’ Ascension meant we could receive His empowering, and it means He is enthroned and has all authority.
But I love how we read in Acts how, when Jesus ascended: “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 NIV11)
Jesus is not just ascended, and enthroned, but we can expect His coming again with gladness.
Focus on Faith
Now, there are different views on this, and it’s a controversial topic that has the potential to divide the church when we should be united. So let me not get into too much detail here. But I will say this: some believe that the signs of the times are clear and that Jesus could come any moment now and rapture up his church to save them from a time of tribulation, before reigning on earth for 1000 years and then coming back again to finish it all. Some believe that He came to judge Israel in AD70, by bringing the temple to desolation, and that he is now reigning and will come again at the end to be united with the believers and form the new heavens and the new earth.
As I said it’s a topic that people get very heated about, and I think it’s sad that we can split over such issues. Because in the end, the bigger question is, are you ready for Him to return for you?
You see, one thing we do know is that we shouldn’t be standing around, looking into the sky. The angels said to the disciples “why are you standing here looking into the sky?” As if to say – come on, you’ve got work to do.
I think that for many Christians, we get all bogged down by trying to figure out if the news reports are pointing us to end times, and if different events align with different things in the book of Ezekiel or Daniel or Revelation, when in the end what matters is: am I doing the work Jesus sent me to do today?
Mission: Make Disciples
Matthew’s Gospel ends with Jesus saying this: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18–20 NIV11)
What’s important? Not the timing of the millennium or rapture, or the identity of the antichrist or the beasts coming from the sea or land. What’s important is that you and I let nothing sway us from the job Jesus has given us – to make disciples and teach them to obey Jesus.
Yes, let’s live as if Jesus is coming any second. He may well be. But let’s not stand and stare into the sky. Let’s busy ourselves with His mission, and bring His light to this world, this Ascension Day and every day we live.
