When Are You Coming Back?

Meditate. Are you watching the clock, the calendar or scripture?

So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, "Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?" He replied, "The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!" Acts 1:6-11

Are there any clouds today?

When are You coming back—to free Israel and restore our kingdom? That was the question of the day for Jesus disciples before He ascended into Heaven. It is the same question for His followers today. When are You coming back—for Your church? To rescue the nation of Israel? The answer is the same. The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. So…chin up…carry on and wait! Wait and watch. Jesus will return from heaven in the same way the disciples saw him go…up in the clouds. I always check everyday to see if there are any clouds in the sky. No clouds today…not likely that Jesus will return today. The angels asked… “Why are you standing here staring into heaven?” We are more likely to find Jesus in scripture than in the sky. Additionally, Jesus told us to “be prepared” so it is good to keep my spiritual record short—keep prayed up. Continue praying…communicating with the Lord God. Continue searching the scriptures to learn more about God every day. What else can we do? Share Jesus with others…find new ways to serve God by serving others. Jesus told His disciples…and us…to be His witnesses in our neighborhoods, our communities, and throughout the world. How are you doing with that?

Prayer ~ Lord God, when are You coming back? Is it enough to tell others that You will return for Your church…even if we don’t know when? We’ll look like fools if we set a date…and that is not when You return. It is better that we should just encourage others—that Your promises are true…that You will never leave us or forsake us…that You hear our prayers…and that You love us. What more could we want? Thank you for Your promises and the reality of Your life with and within us. Help us to share You…to be Your witness to anyone—our neighbors—near or far.

Verse of Salvation ~ [Jesus speaking to the Jewish leaders.] I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life. John 5:24

© 2021 Text, photos and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation.

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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