Acts 1:8-11 - Taken up

1:8

So instead of worrying about when Jesus will return, the disciples are to get on with the job of proclaiming and living the kingdom. They are to take the gospel to Jerusalem, Samaria and the ends of the earth. And nothing has changed. We have work to do and we need to get on with it. There are still some parts of the world that have not heard the gospel, but even those that have received it need to be re evangelised. Think of the West. Our societies are increasingly godless, and they know very little about Jesus and the gospel. Our society needs to hear. Then there are many Muslim countries that are very much closed to the gospel. We need to pray earnestly for these nations. There is still much work to do, and work that will bear fruit. There is no time to waste on idle musings about when Jesus will return.

1:9

A cloud is often associated with God’s presence. See God meeting with Moses in Exodus (13:21, 19:9), and the transfiguration. The scene depicts Jesus physically ascending into heaven, into God’s presence. This is important in interpreting the next couple of verses. The absence of death is also important. If we die before Jesus returns then we will be raised to be with God forever.

1:10,11

Not surprisingly the disciples were rather transfixed by the episode, looking up into the sky. However, two men, who were actually angels appeared beside them. It is worth noting that a lot of the angelic appearances in the Bible are angels appearing as men. The angels tell the disciples that Jesus will return in the same way. Ie He will descend from heaven, and in a physical form. Note also the question, “why do you stand looking into heaven? Jesus will come back”. The implication is that there is work to be done here on earth. A vital feature of the gospel is that the earth matters, and our bodies matter. What we do with our lives matters.