The Promise

This same Jesus will return - Acts 1:9

Luke, the writer of the two-part history Luke and Acts tells us that after Jesus Christ was raised from the dead He appeared many times to many people in different places, over a period of forty days. There could have been no doubt about the reason why the tomb was empty. Jesus was alive! 

On one of these occasions, He walked and talked with two of His devastated and sorrowful followers on the road to Emmaus, who were slow to recognise Him. As a result, they began to understand their Jewish scriptures in a whole new way. 

'Then beginning with Moses and with all the Prophets, He explained to them the things written about Himself in all the Scriptures.' 

Luke 24:27

'Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?' 

Luke 24:32

He taught them that His suffering and death were not a failure nor an ending but quite the opposite, - a victory and the beginning of the next chapter of God's dealings with mankind. From this time on the thrust would be to take the good news beyond the physical descendants of Abraham in Roman-dominated Palestine into the whole world.

In His final meeting with His disciples, Jesus gave them a commission with a promise of divine help.

'But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and as far as the remotest part of the earth.'  

Acts 1:8

The book of Acts gives the story of what followed.

After His final resurrection appearance Jesus was taken up into heaven. As the disciples were staring upwards into an empty sky, trying to take in what they had just witnessed, two angels (men in white) explained:

"Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven."

Acts 1:11

This is the Christian hope. At some point in the future, Jesus Christ will return.

Jesus must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything as He promised (Acts 3:20)

Meanwhile, Jesus is with His Father, enthroned in heaven. He rules. Some accept His rule. Others reject His rule. Yet others have never heard of Him. In the meantime, the invitation goes out through the worldwide preaching of the gospel.

But at a point in time, known only to God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Messiah will return to complete God's programme of restoration in fulfilment of His ancient promises.

'...the Messiah, who has been appointed for you - even Jesus.  Heaven must receive Him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as He promised long ago through His holy prophets.'  

Acts 3:19-20

This will be the climax of God's dealings with mankind.

The 'when' question

Jesus had talked about the fact of His coming many times over His three years of ministry, sometimes indirectly and sometimes directly. It was implicit in many of His parables such as the parable of the Minas in Luke chapter 19.

But when He was asked the 'when' question, He replied that even He did not know the answer!

'But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.'

Matthew 24:36

Perhaps this is because the return of Jesus depends on His followers, the church, completing the commission that He gave. History records that this is something that the church lost sight of for many centuries.

'And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.'

Matthew 24:14

Although God has not supplied us with a precise date, Jesus did provide a description of the things that would be happening at the time of His return. They are set in the context of the coming of the kingdom which would take place over a much longer span of time, so the precise sequence of events is not obvious. But being informed of God's timetable is not the most important thing. What matters is its certainty. This is Christian hope. This hope is not a dream or a wish. It is confident, steadfast, and sure because it is based on a clearly stated promise of God.Audemars Piguet Replica

However, many questions it may provoke or however long the delay seems to us, this is the clearly revealed destination. It is something that the first Christians believed and expected as did the early church fathers. It is enshrined in the historic creeds which capture the essentials of true Christian faith. It is found in the statements of faith of all mainstream Christian denominations. It is not an optional extra.Patek Philippe Replica

What difference should the promise of Jesus' return make to our lives? 

A great deal. Here I will mention two differences. Firstly, it brings peace and confidence. The promise of Jesus' return provides the assurance that God is in control of this world and that He has a purpose and a plan. We are not trapped in a sea of meaningless chance events. Suffering and pain will not continue forever. History is not an endless cycle of happenings. History, (His story) has a destination, a climax, and a fulfilment.  Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace. Pointing to the future, He told His disciples, "Let not your hearts be troubled." Neither should ours, even though this is a very troubled world. 

Secondly, it motivates us to action. What matters most is not that we know the precise day or hour, but that we are ready and prepared, doing the things He wants us to do when He comes. It is certainly not an excuse for passivity. John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus' first coming. The church of Jesus Christ prepares the way for His return.

In the next chapter we will think about what it means to live between these two events.

Chris Moffett