It’s Ascension Day on the western Christian calendar. It the day when we remember that Jesus was taken up into heaven after he died on the cross for the sins of the world and then rose on the third day. I had to think of these verses in the Book of Acts, which faithfully recounts the story of the early church:
Jesus left this earth from the Mount of Olives in a cloud and will return in the same way and to the same place. He is our God and our Messianic King.
“And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”” (Acts 1:9-11 ESV)
He is now seated on the throne at the right hand of the Father in Heaven. The keys of the kingdoms of this earth are his now, and he will return to set up his throne in the city of Jerusalem and rule over Israel and all the nations.
The turmoil you see in the world today are, according to Psalm 2, a threefold rebellion 1) against YHWH, 2) against Jesus the Anointed, Messianic King, and 3) against Zion, the Jewish people and the Jewish land.
I am looking forward to that Day that will be coming soon when Jesus will defeat his enemies and establish his peace, his shalom, from Jerusalem to the whole earth.
“He will come back in the same way as he went to heaven.”
Let’s remember to pray for Israel, the Jewish people, and for Israel’s enemies that they will turn to Jesus, the Jewish anointed King. Also, let’s pray for ourselves that we will be ready for his return!
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