This is the last time the disciples will meet with Jesus. In their curiosity, they attempted to pin Jesus down regarding the timing on restoration of the kingdom of Israel. Jesus rejects that. You will notice that never in all of his teaching on the end of the world or the coming kingdom of God, does he teach his listeners to attempt to plan a schedule.
God’s timing is God’s timing and something that we are not to know. It is by his authority that the times and seasons are fixed. In fact, Jesus tells them that “concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Mark 13:32). Even he is not given the information regarding those events.
Rather than be concerned with the timing of these events, Jesus returns to that which he has continually taught: what is the Christian to do while they wait?
The Christian will receive power and with this power they are to be witnesses. Not just witnesses to the things that have happened in their own lives, as many seem to think, but Jesus’ witnesses. He says to the eleven, “you will be my witnesses” (Luke 1:8). For God’s kingdom to be restored, the entire earth needs to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ and this is where the role of the Holy Spirit enters. He will bring the power to the church … beginning with the disciples to bring this about.
Luke paints a vivid picture of the event surrounding Jesus’ ascension, bringing two men to give further instruction to the disciples. The cloud which enveloped Jesus as he went into heaven will be there when he returns. He will return.
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