Acts 1:9-11

“Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, 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, who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”

The first verses of Acts 1 tell us the last few things that Jesus spoke to his disciples (the Great Commission) and it describes His ascension into heaven. 

I can just picture it now. As Jesus lifts off Earth and disappears into the clouds, the disciples standing with mouths gaping wide. I can imagine what was going on in their minds! Then the two men in white (angels), assured them that Jesus will return and when He does, it will be as He left. He’ll return in the clouds! So cool, right? 

But can we be sure that’s what they meant? That’s He’ll return in the clouds??? Yes! Let’s look at other places in Scripture that confirms this. The Word ALWAYS confirms Itself!

Jesus, Himself, tells the Sanhedrin in Matthew 26:64 about His eventual return:

“Jesus said to him, “ It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

The apostle John spoke of this in Revelation 1:7:

“Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.”

A cloud is mentioned at His ascension, and the clouds are mentioned at His return.

And to further demonstrate how the Word confirms itself…In Zechariah 12:10, we see where the same phrasing as is found in Revelation 1:7, “the One who was pierced.” The prophet Zechariah spoke of seeing Jesus 500 years before He was even born. This passage is in reference to the coming deliverance of Judah. I imagine that John used this phrasing in Revelation in  reference to this passage in Zechariah because the Jewish people understood what it meant. 

“And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.” Zechariah 12:10

If you look into the Greek and Hebrew words found in these scriptures, you will discover that they have been properly and adequately interpreted and translated. Jesus ascended into the clouds and will descend from the clouds again, one day! At that time, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. 

Which brings up this question: do you confess that Jesus Christ is Lord now, or will you wait until He returns? I implore you: confess Jesus as your Lord and Savior now. I could spend all day explaining to you all the benefits of living for Jesus, but it ultimately comes down to where you want to spend your eternity. Everything that Jesus did in His life, suffering, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension into heaven, as well as sending His indwelling Holy Spirit was for YOU. Will you believe it and receive Him now as your Lord and Savior? It is THE most vital decision you’ll ever make. Today is your day. Today is the day of your salvation. 

The Bible says to confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord. You can pray a prayer like this: Father, I believe that you sent Jesus Christ, your son, to die for my sins. There is nothing that I could do to save myself. Your blood covers all my sins and for that, I thank you. I confess that I have lived a life full of sin, and I repent of it. I turn away from my own desires and my sins. I turn towards You and look to You. I believe that You rose from the dead after three days, ascended into heaven and sent Holy Spirit to live in me. I receive Your forgiveness, Your love, and Your Holy Spirit right now. I dedicate my life to You. Be my Lord and Savior. In Jesus name, Amen. 

The Bible says that all of heaven rejoices when just one person believes and receives Jesus!

Let’s all keep our eyes peeled for our returning Lord and Savior! We are promised that He is, indeed, coming soon!