The first coming of Jesus was marked by him humbly taking the form of a man to serve and save mankind. He came as a vulnerable baby and lived a life as we do. When Jesus comes again, he will come in great power and glory and every eye will see him. Just as there were prophecies related to his first coming, there are prophecies of his second coming, Matthew 16:27 says, “For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.”
Acts 1:1-11
The Promise of the Holy Spirit
1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
The Ascension
6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS:
What did the disciples ask Jesus when they met together? (6)
What was his response? (7)
What did Jesus tell the disciples they were to be? (8)
What happened after he spoke to them? (9)
What did the angels say to the disciples? (11)
THOUGHT QUESTIONS:
According to this reading, how would you describe the second coming of Jesus?
Why should you look forward to his second coming?
How should you be ready for it?
PRAYER:
Thank Jesus that he will come again in great glory. Thank him for first coming and dying for you so you could experience great joy at his second coming. Pray that you will live a life worthy of him.
FOCUS VERSE: 1 Peter 1:13
Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled, set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.