During the forty days after he suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God. Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?” He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!” Acts 1:3-11 NLT
Jesus’ return will be a physical reality
Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go! Acts 1:11 NLT
So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. Hebrews 9:28 ESV
…we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. Titus 2:13 NLT
Jesus’ return will be a public spectacle
For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught upin the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 NLT
- Jesus will appear in the sky
- A commanding shout
- The trumpet call of God
- Believers will be raptured
People missed the first coming of Jesus, no one will miss his second.
Jesus’ return will be at the perfect moment
So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?” He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know.” Acts 1:6-7 NLT
It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. 1 Corinthians 15:52 NLT
But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. 2 Peter 3:8-9 NLT
My Notes
Personal Reflection Guide
Take a few deep breaths to clear your head, tuning out the buzz of the world and instead focus on how God can speak to you in this quiet time. Share the details of your day with him, paying attention to what comes to mind first.
“It is today for which we are responsible. God still owns tomorrow,” Elisabeth Elliot.
Dealing with crisis can weigh so heavily on our hearts. It might even lead us to scour our world for clues, looking for hintsas to the return of Jesus at the expense of today. “Why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you… but someday he will return the same way you saw him go!” (Acts 1:11) How do you think the apostles might have felt hearing about Jesus’ return? Check your own feelings - are you comforted, worried, afraid? Why? We’ve been told how and now we’re commissioned with the task of sharing the good news. Thank goodness we don’t have to stand idly by and speculate the when.
This week take some time to sit with God, reflecting on your day. Let him bring your most pressing concerns to the surface. What details would God delight most in? Where might he ask you for your obedience? Thank God for the plans he has already laid out for your life. Ask him to place some next steps in your heart about who in your life might be ready to share in his good news.
Discussion Questions
- Now that “60 Days To a Better Me” is over, what reading plan are you currently following (have you started the “Risen” study? are you still catching up on “60 Days”?) and what stood out in your reading this week?
- Read Titus 2:11-13. When you think about the return of Jesus, do you find yourself looking forward to it with hope or do you tend to dread it in fear? Why?
- Read 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. Is there anything that surprises you about this passage?
- In what specific ways do you notice Jesus’ second coming will differ from his first in Bethlehem?
- Read Acts 1:6-8. Even though we don’t know exactly when Jesus will return, we do know exactly what to do while we wait. What specific things do you currently do to tell people about Jesus - or - what can you do to be a witness in this ever-changing season?
- Read 2 Peter 3:8-9. Who would you like to see come to know Jesus before the end and what can you do to help them?
