Jesus' Ascension
by Molly Wingard
Joy In The Lord Ministries - Redfield, AR
Acts 1: 6-11 (KJV) says "When they therefore were come together, they asked of Him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And He said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, 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; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seem him go into heaven."
Jesus was talking about a spiritual kingdom in our hearts and lives of the Children of God. The Holy Spirit lives and dwells in a believer.
As Children of God we have been made to serve in His honor. God has work for us to do for Him but we must do it by the power of the Holy Spirit. John 16:7 (NLT) says "But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you."
If it wasn’t for the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus there would have been no Good News. Jesus had limited time here on earth but when He went to sit at the right hand of God the Father, He became available for the whole world at one time through the Holy Spirit. God’s Good News will not be complete until everyone in the world has heard about Jesus.
John 7:39 (NLT) says, "when he said "living water," he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory).
The Gift of the Holy Spirit was a divine promise that had already been made. God gives everyone the Holy Spirit who ask (Luke 11:13).
We should proclaim Jesus is Lord of all. The world should be able to see Jesus is Lord through our testimony, no matter what the cost. This is our work.
If we are truly God’s vessels we will receive His power for the work that He has called us to do. Our light should shine throughout the world. We should be a blessing for those around us and the whole world.
Jesus left instructions with the disciples. He began his ascension while He was still with them so that they could not be deceived. In the same manner He shall return. 1 Thessalonians 5:2 (NLT) says, "For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.
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