Acts 1:9-11 Our hope rest in Jesus!

To God all glory belongs!

Acts 1:9-11 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11 who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” 

Jesus told them about the future events that would transpire, culminating in His ascension and subsequent return in His divine glory. This prophecy was spoken by  the prophet Zechariah, and it shall  come to pass. His covenant of peace will endure eternally, and His blessings and protection will never leave His chosen people. No weapon formed against them will succeed.

2 Kings 12:22 And Hazael king of Syria oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz. 23 But the Lord was gracious to them, had compassion on them, and regarded them, because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not yet destroy them or cast them from His presence.

The Lord, the living water, sustains all who place their faith in Him. His salvation is the gift of God offered to all of His creation. We cannot earn this gift of the Father for it is freely given and freely received. In our good works we show others our hope in Him. In Him, we attain right standing with God. He will reign in Jerusalem, and all nations will be blessed through the Abrahamic Covenant made with His chosen people. 

Isaiah 54:8-10 

With a little wrath I hid My face from you for a moment; 

But with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on you,” 

Says the Lord, your Redeemer. 

9 “For this is like the waters of Noah to Me; For as I have sworn 

That the waters of Noah would no longer cover the earth, 

So have I sworn 

That I would not be angry with you, nor rebuke you. 

10 For the mountains shall depart And the hills be removed, 

But My kindness shall not depart from you, Nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,” Says the Lord, who has mercy on you. The New King James Version

God’s mercies are renewed daily, characterized by boundless kindness and enduring patience. He desires no one to perish. His promises to Israel are unwavering. While God disciplines those He loves, His mercy remains steadfast with His chosen people and those who place their faith in the salvation in Jesus. His promises are steadfast and true.

Zechariah 14:13-4

Then the Lord will go forth 

And fight against those nations, 

As He fights in the day of battle. 

4 And in that day His feet 

will stand on the Mount of Olives, 

Which faces Jerusalem on the east.

Amidst the intense animosity directed towards Israel, the Lord will defend them. He will one day return and ascend to the Mount of Olives and establish his dominion as King in Jerusalem. Jesus will preside over all nations. Carla

While the Gospel of Luke concentrates on Jesus’ ministry on earth, His ascension and heavenly rule define the book of Acts. With His earthly ministry accomplished, Christ returns to God the Father, but He sends the Holy Spirit to make the work He accomplished fruitful through the proclamation of the gospel to the ends of the earth. Faithlife Study Bible

Jesus promised that He would not leave nor forsake us, but would be with us always, even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20; John 14:18). He fulfilled this promise in the form of the Holy Spirit, who dwells within believers (John 16:4–7). These portray the gradual, majestic departure of Jesus from the earth. The Second Coming of Christ and the establishment of His kingdom will occur the same way Jesus ascended: physically, visibly, and in the clouds. The NKJV Study Bible

Matthew 16:27–28 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”

Mark 16:19 So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.

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