Worship

“The King is Coming” by Thrive Worship

Scripture

“He said to them: ‘it is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’

“After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. ‘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.’

“Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city.” -Acts 1:7-12

The Promise and the Mission

We just had our Arise leadership retreat this last weekend. I sat in a room full of women who are raising their hands to be missionaries to our nation and the nations. They are passionate about Jesus and the world He died to save. Their lives are laid down to raise up other women to move from the sidelines to the front lines of this global revival we are finding ourselves in. They are counting the cost. But their eyes are looking to Heaven, awaiting their coming King while their feet are standing in the harvest field. I honor these radical lovers of Jesus.

Last week we saw how the very words of Jesus in Acts 1 are both our primary calling and identity. We’ve been sourced with the promised Holy Spirit—our power source for life and ministry. We are walking on the roadmap for life, to the ends of the Earth, in the fullness of all Jesus promised us. But the most beautiful promise we fix our eyes on is this: “‘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 (Acts 1:11).'” He’s coming back for His Bride! And it is unto this end that the reason for our perseverance in the gospel and our finishing our race finds its focus.

The Ascension’s Purpose

Jesus was taken up in a cloud that is understood to be a Shekinah glory of God’s presence. We see it in both the Old and New Testaments. He did not disappear before them, but they were able to see Him standing with them and then go away like He said He would do. This was to fulfill His words in John 16:7, ESV: “‘Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.'” Jesus wanted his followers to know this was the departure they had been waiting for!

Two angels in white stood beside these onlookers, redirecting their gaze to the obedience of their hearts, asking them why they were just standing there. It was time to return to Jerusalem like Jesus had commanded them to do. These ones had a sure directive—the ends of the Earth—but they stood there pondering and looking into the sky. It was time for their radical obedience as the Spirit was on its way now that Jesus had gone. It was time to go!

The Same Jesus

This same Jesus—who was the same throughout the gospels; unchanging in His promise and power; faithful to His word; the same yesterday, today, and forever—was now seated at the right hand of the Father! And when the Father will tell His Son that it is time to go and get His Bride, He will come back for us. But first, these followers of Jesus had to receive all they needed through the Spirit of Christ, who longed to now reside inside of them.

The angels told them, “‘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.’”

“Jesus will return just as He left. He left physically and will so come in like manner. He left visibly and will so come in like manner. He left from the Mount of Olives and will so come in like manner. He left in the presence of His disciples and will so come in like manner. He left blessing His church and will so come in like manner.” -David Guzik, Acts 1 commentary

Living with Urgency

I have set my sights on this reality. It is not so I can sit back and put my feet up and wait to be rescued. The gospel will be preached throughout the world during the tribulation. There are three main ways Revelation points to the expansion of the gospel: the 144,000 witnesses, the two witnesses (prophets), and the angels that circle the globe. But for those of us awaiting the rapture of the Church, it is with urgency that we spare those left behind to endure the seven-year tribulation period. It is my desire and prayer that I tell as many people as possible, in as many nations as possible, of the salvation of Jesus.

“The disciples didn’t know how long it would be before He would return, but they lived as if it was imminent. Again, that word means that He could come at any time. So, after a Holy Spirit boost at Pentecost, these men jumped fully into their roles as spreaders of the gospel. For all but one of them, it would cost their lives—a price they willingly paid.

“What was so different about them that they could be that gung-ho about spreading Jesus’ message of salvation? Was it that they had seen the Lord? That may be part of it. But there are plenty of examples of believers who have given their lives for the gospel who never laid their physical eyes on the Savior. … Remember, they were just a bunch of fishermen, blue-collar workers, and a tax collector. What made the difference for them is that they committed to carrying out the mission of Christ no matter the cost. How can we, living in this world of contradiction, also keep our eyes on the eternal rather than the temporal? The answer to that question is where we find the ‘So what?’ of what appears to be our soon-coming departure.” -Amir Tsarfati, “Has the Tribulation Begun?”

Our Present Call

Our King Jesus is coming back for His Bride. As the eschatological clock seems to be ticking quickly, where are your sights? Are you navel-gazing, wondering how to build up your temporal reserves, ensure your comfort, and accomplish your bucket list? Are you getting the Word of God deep inside of you so you don’t fall away from the faith in these challenging days? Would you count the cost and, on your face before Jesus, say to Him, “I am willing; send me.” This is between you and Jesus. This hour we find ourselves in is our hour to lay it all down and spend our remaining days being poured out for the sake of the gospel!

“The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come!’ Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. …

“He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’

“Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

“The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.” -Revelation 22:17, 20-21

A Few Key Notes

• Author Karen Bejjani will lead us through the Blue Cord Study, which will train and equip you to share the gospel with Muslims and people of other faiths. Register to join us in person on Wednesday, January 24-March 6, or join us virtually on Thursdays, January 25-March 7.
• You can start 2024 with the focus, momentum, and peace you need for the entire year. At the Grow With Goals Workshop, you will have more clarity of purpose, creativity with time and intention, connection to God and His divine plan for you, and productivity in the day to day. The classes last for three Tuesdays beginning on January 23. Register today!