Acts 1:9-11 - Rise & Return
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Introduction
Introduction
Luke wrote that Jesus appeared to the Apostles and other disciples over a period of 40 days, but the appearing of Jesus during that time wasn’t continual.
He would appear, disappear, and then reappear. We might wonder why that would be so.
Well, the moment Jesus was raised in His glorified body His existence belonged to the realm of glory, the realm of Heaven.
During the 40 days before His ascension, Jesus visited the earthly realm of His disciples to teach and instruct them.
At the time of His ascension in Acts 1:9, Jesus is not ascending to the Father’s right hand for the first time. That place had been His ever since He rose from the dead.
The ascension does signify to the Apostles that they will no longer see Jesus on earth—at least not until he returns.
It closes the action in Luke’s gospel but it opens the action in Luke’s second volume—the book of Acts.
In Luke’s writings, the ascension of Jesus serves as a bridge between all that Jesus did before His death and resurrection and all that He would do afterward through His Apostles by His Holy Spirit..
[READING - Acts 1:9-11]
9 And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. 11 They also said, “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 just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”
[PRAYER]
[TS] There are three PARTS to this passage that I want us to focus on this morning…
Major Ideas
Major Ideas
Part #1: The Ascension of Jesus (Acts 1:9)
Part #1: The Ascension of Jesus (Acts 1:9)
9 And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.
[EXP] Jesus had taught them for 40 days concerning the Kingdom of God, and then the Apostles watched Him ascend to Heaven in a cloud. Maybe they thought of Daniel’s vision concerning Jesus…
13 “I kept looking in the night visions, And behold, with the clouds of heaven One like a Son of Man was coming, And He came up to the Ancient of Days And was presented before Him. 14 “And to Him was given dominion, Glory and a kingdom, That all the peoples, nations and men of every language Might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion Which will not pass away; And His kingdom is one Which will not be destroyed.
Maybe they thought the kingdom would come at any moment. Maybe they thought nothing at all and were simply awestruck as a cloud took Jesus out of their sight.
The cloud represented the total envelopment of Jesus into the presence and glory of the Father.
It was reminiscent of God’s glory descending on the temple…
34 Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 35 Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.
It was reminiscent of Jesus’ Transfiguration…
34 While he was saying this, a cloud formed and began to overshadow them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 Then a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!”
The Apostles were witnessing the Son of God enter the glorious presence of God the Father.
There are many references in this passage to the Apostels as witnesses of Jesus’ resurrection.
In v. 9, they were looking on as a cloud took Jesus out of their sight.
In v. 10, they were gazing intently into the sky.
In v. 11, the two men asked, “Why do you stand looking into the sky?” Then they say, “(He) will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go.”
Jesus said in Acts 1:8 that the Apostles would be His witnesses.
His ascension is another wonder of Jesus that they would tell the world about.
[ILLUS] There are many ascension legends in pagan mythology and false religions.
The mythological Hercules was said to be poisoned by his wife, but instead of dying by poison he chose to die by being burned alive on a funeral pyre. The story goes, however, that only his mortal flesh was consumed by the flames while his immortality ascended to Mount Olympus, where his father, Zeus, welcomed him home.
Of course, the story of Jesus’ ascension is vastly different.
First, the story of Jesus’ ascension is actually real. It’s not mythology.
Second, Jesus didn’t ascend as He died, but was raised from the dead after paying the price for our sins by dying on a Roman cross. Forty days after His resurrection from the dead, Jesus ascended to Heaven.
Third, Jesus wasn’t a demigod (half-man/half-god), he was 100 percent God and 100 percent man. He lived as 100 percent God and 100 percent man. He died as 100 percent God and 100 percent man. He was raised as 100 percent God and 100 percent man. He ascended to Heaven as 100 percent God and 100 percent man. He lives today as 100 percent God and 100 percent man.
Fourth, Jesus wasn’t welcomed by a false god like Zeus but by YHWH, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the Creator God, the One True and Living God, God Almighty.
There is also the story of Romulus, the first ruler of Rome, who was said to have founded Rome with his brother Remus. Roman historians have different accounts of Romulus’ death. Some say that he was murdered by the Roman nobility. Others say that he was assassinated by people were conquered by and then assimilated into Rome. But a couple poets and “historians” say that Romulus didn’t die at all. They say that he was taken to Heaven by his father, Mars, where he became a god named Quirinus. His wife soon followed and became known as the goddess, Hora.
According to the legend, Romulus was overseeing a military parade when a sudden storm blew up with darkness and lighting. A dark cloud covered Romulus and when it was dissipated, Romulus had disappeared.
Of course, this story is vastly different from the ascension of Jesus in many different ways.
First, the story of Jesus’ ascension is actually real. It’s not legend.
Second, the story of Jesus’ ascension is not cover for His murder. No, He was murdered, then resurrected, and then ascended to Heaven.
Third, Jesus didn’t become a god once He ascended to Heaven. Again, He was 100 percent God and 100 percent man during His life, death, resurrection, and ascension.
Fourth, Jesus wasn’t welcomed by a false god like Mars but by YHWH, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the Creator God, the One True and Living God, God Almighty.
There are other ascension stories outside of Scripture but they are demonic plagiarisms of the true story of Jesus’ ascension.
[APP] But it’s even different from ascension stories in Scripture—stories like those concerning Enoch and Elijah.
In Genesis 5:24 we are told that Enoch walked with God as was no more because God took him.
But Enoch didn’t die and rise before he was taken and no one that we know of witnessed him being taken up to Heaven.
In 2 Kings 2 we are told that Elijah was taken up to Heaven in a chariot of fire.
But Elijah didn’t die and rise before he was taken and only Elisha witnessed his ascension.
But Jesus died and rose from the dead and then ascended to the Father in Heaven. And all His Apostles witnessed it and testified to it.
Some so-called scholars doubt the historicity of the ascension because only Luke records it detail, but the apostolic witness (i.e., the New Testament) takes it as a given that Jesus would be and was raised to the Father.
17 Jesus said to her, “Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.’ ”
22 who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him.
20 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
3 And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
There are other references, but you get the point.
The Apostles watched as Jesus ascended to Heaven.
They testified to what they had seen concerning Jesus’ resurrection.
We ought to believe their testimony.
[TS] …
Part #2: The Return of Jesus (Acts 1:10-11)
Part #2: The Return of Jesus (Acts 1:10-11)
10 And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. 11 They also said, “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 just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”
[EXP] The Apostles are still staring into the sky when two men are suddenly standing next to them. This certainaly reminds us of the two angels at Jesus’ resurrection. Perhaps they were the same two angels at His resurrection.
4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men suddenly stood near them in dazzling clothing; 5 and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living One among the dead? 6 “He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee,
Although we are not told that these two men were certainly angels, it seems best to think that way based on their white clothing, which is similar to the description of the angels’ “dazzling clothing” in Luke’s resurrection account.
But the old commentator, J. A. Alexander said that a friend had another suggestion—that perhaps these two men were Moses and Elijah who spoke with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration. Luke 9:30-31 says…
30 And behold, two men were talking with Him; and they were Moses and Elijah, 31 who, appearing in glory, were speaking of His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.
Of course, it seems likely that Peter, James, and John would’ve recognized Moses and Elijah from Jesus’ Transfiguration, but if this was Moses and Elijah in Acts 1:11, then we hear the Law (represented by Moses) and the Prophets (represented by Elijah) say, “This Jesus, who has been take up from you into heaven, will come in just the same as you have watched Him go into heaven.”
But whether it was angels from Heaven or Moses and Elijah making another appearance from Heaven, we know that the words of Acts 1:11 are the promise of Heaven.
Jesus has gone, but Jesus will come again.
At the resurrection of Jesus there was a challenge and a correction.
In Luke’s resurrection account, he writes…
4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men suddenly stood near them in dazzling clothing; 5 and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living One among the dead? 6 “He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, 7 saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.” 8 And they remembered His words,
The challenge is: Why do you seek the living One among the dead?
The correction is: He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.
The Apostles were looking for Jesus in the wrong place.
He was alive and would be seen during His appearances.
In Luke’s ascension account, Luke also includes a challenge and a correction. In Acts 1:11 he writes…
11 They also said, “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 just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”
The challenge is: Why do you stand looking into the sky?
The correction is: This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into Heaven.
The Apostles were once again looking for Jesus in the wrong place.
He was ascended and would be seen again at His return.
[APP] The other night I was at a football game. It was a low-scoring affair without a lot of action. Every time something exciting happened the refs were there to tell us that it didn’t really happen.
But if you’ve ever been to a football game then you know that the moment you go to the concession stand or the moment you look down at your phone—that will be the moment that something really exciting happens. You had better leave your eyes glued to the field or else you will miss it.
Some people think of Jesus’ return like that. Some hope they don’t miss it. Some think they have missed it. But when Jesus comes again, no one will miss it.
Revelation 1:7 says…
7 Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen.
Jesus said in Matthew 25:31…
that when He comes again he will come “in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne.”
First Thessalonians 4:16 says that…
Jesus will come with a shout, the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God.
Second Thessalonians 1:7 says that…
He will come with His mighty angels in flaming fire.
Jesus is certainly coming.
Are you ready for His coming?
[TS] How do we get ready for His coming?
We do that by knowing Him and making Him known, which brings us to the third part of our passage—The Mission of Jesus.
Part #3: The Mission of Jesus (Acts 1:9)
Part #3: The Mission of Jesus (Acts 1:9)
9 And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.
[EXP] In Acts 1:6-8 and Acts 1:9-11 we have this order spelled out for us.
First, the ascension of Jesus.
Third, the return of Jesus,
And in between or second, the mission of Jesus—i.e., the witness of Jesus’ Apostles as they are empowered by His Holy Spirit.
We see this in Acts 1:9 when it refers back to Acts 1:8 with the words, “And after He had said these things…”
In Acts 1:8 Jesus told His Apostles…
8 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 even to the remotest part of the earth.”
[ILLUS] As the Spirit empowered them, the witness of the Apostles would be motivated by what they had witnessed at Jesus’ ascension and what they looked forward to at His return.
Sometimes their witness would cost them their lives. A little later in Acts we will read about a disciple of Jesus named Stephen who preached the Gospel faithfully as was murdered for it. As he died though, he was comforted by the ascended Jesus.
55 But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; 56 and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
In the promise of Jesus’ return there is incentive to fulfill the mission of being His witnesses. One day Jesus will return, and we all will have to give an account to Him.
We often use the return of Jesus as a motivator in salvation: “You need to trust Jesus because He could return at any moment and then there will be no opportunity for salvation.”
This is true, and it is a good reason to trust in Jesus right now.
We should also use the return of Jesus as a motivator for mission: “We must be His witnesses to the ends of the earth because Jesus could return at any moment and then there will be no opportunity to witness for Him.”
35 “Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps lit. 36 “Be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks. 37 “Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when he comes; truly I say to you, that he will gird himself to serve, and have them recline at the table, and will come up and wait on them.
[APP] Will the Master find us on the alert—will He find us witnessing to Him when He comes?
[TS] …
Conclusion
Conclusion
[PRAYER]