-July 16, 2023-
Good morning, happy Lord’s Day,
“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 stand gazing into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken from you into heaven, will come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.’”
(Acts 1:10-11).
What an exciting day for the eleven disciples as they witnessed their Lord ascend into heaven. Their eyes, ears, and mouths must have been wide open. They didn’t fall asleep as they did in the Garden of Gethsemane. Can you imagine what it would have been like had we been there that day?
The two angels had to remind them that Jesus would come again as He promised. Just as He went up, He will come back. This hope is called in the Bible, the blessed hope. He will come first in the air to take us home to heaven. After the seven year tribulation, He will come with us His saints to reign over the earth for the Millennium. Then we will be with Him in heaven forever. What a future we have to look forward to.
Until then, we must be about our Father’s business, living for Him and serving Him, and sharing the gospel with the lost. As we serve, we should look up waiting for His return. There is no time to waste. Jesus said in John 4:35-36, “Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest?’ Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.”
Let us then keeping looking up while at the same time looking on the Lord’s work. Jesus said, “Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near” (Luke 21:28). Have a blessed Lord’s Day. Stay safe and healthy.
Looking unto Jesus our coming King and serving Him,
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 