John Appelt

In the description of the ascension of Jesus into heaven, the angels, appearing as two men, tell the disciples that Jesus who was taken up from them into heaven, will come in like manner as they saw Him go into heaven, Acts 1:11. Acts 1:9-10 is clear that Jesus arose, went up alone, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 

Revelation 19:11-15 describes a coming of Jesus riding in terrifying splendor on a white horse and with an army clothed with fine, white linen. He will strike the nations. Revelation 1:7 says everyone including the Jewish nation that crucified Him will see Him and the effect will be of mourning. It will be after the Tribulation, marked with celestial signs, Matthew 24:29-31. The elect that are gathered are saints who endured the Tribulation. This coming is after the judgments of the Tribulation, Revelation 4-18. These passages do not match with Acts 1:11. 

However, a passage that corresponds with Acts 1:11 is I Thessalonians 4:16-18. The Lord Himself will descend from heaven. He will come alone as He had gone up alone when He was carried up into heaven to the right hand of God, Mark 16:19, Luke 24:51. He will come to those looking to Jesus, “the Author and Finisher of our faith,” Hebrews 12:2, just as the disciples were looking up when He ascended.

The believers, those dead and alive, will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, verse 17, just as the clouds received Jesus out of their sight. 

The event will be one of hope and joy unlike the mourning and troubling fear of the previously mentioned coming. Those looking up at the time of the Lord’s ascension were hopeful that they would see Him again as He promised, John 14:1-3. His coming is the blessed hope or joyous expectation for believers, Titus 2:13. They shall be with Him, never to be separated from Him again. It is a comforting and encouraging message, I Thessalonians 4:18, I Thessalonians 5:11. 

Without exception, this particular coming is reiterated throughout the epistles: I Corinthians 15:23, 51-52, Philippians 3:20-21, I Thessalonians 1:10, 2:19, 3:13, 5:23, II Thessalonians 2:1, I Timothy 6:14, James 5:7-9, I John 2:28-3:3. These, all addressed to believers, speak about the Lord Himself coming in person and taking up believers who will be transformed and brought to the Father’s home in heaven. 

The big question is placing when this coming occurs. The Lord’s coming for His saints has to be before the wrath to come, I Thessalonians 1:10. 

The second coming is in two phases separated by the Tribulation which according to Daniel 9:27 is a ‘week’ or seven years:

The coming for the saints, before the Tribulation
The coming with the saints, after the Tribulation

In view of the first phase of the coming being at hand, believers are to live godly, pure lives, and to wait steadfastly for their Lord who is their hope, joy, comfort, and confidence.

April 14 2022 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht ABC/DTS graduate, guitar music ministry Baptist church

He will come back when people are least expecting it. His return will be "like a thief in the night" (Matthew 24:43; 1 Thessalonians 5:2). According to Acts 1:11, Jesus will be coming back visibly, gradually, and bodily. 
At His Ascension, the "two men dressed in white [angels, presumably] stood beside them [the apostles]. 'Men of Galilee,' they said, 'why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.'”

They saw Him go into the clouds. This is the way He will be coming back. (Acts 1:9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.")

Will we be ready? Jesus said in Luke 12:40 (King James Version), "Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not."

April 14 2022 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Steven Scott Grader for the Ontario Jail Ministry

There are videos on Tiktok of someone sleeping on a sofa. He stirs a bit when he hears 2 horn blasts. He is thinking they're just from a car going by ~ maybe even someone he knows signaling they went by. But that's not what is happening! Suddenly there is a multitude of horns blasting the fanfare that JESUS IS COMING! This ALWAYS brings me tears of GREAT JOY! How much more will there be when that day actually comes! According to Revelation 21:4, there will be no more tears. Will this also apply to tears of joy?

April 29 2022 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report