Awaiting Jesus’ Second Coming
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.” (Acts 1:10-11)
The Church calendar has now come to a major turning point around mid-year. Having started with Advent when we anticipate the coming of the Messiah, and ultimately, we celebrate Christmas in commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ, time rolls on focusing on the life of this Messiah – his revelation to the Gentiles, his multi-faceted and far-reaching ministry, and then his suffering, passion and eventual victory at the resurrection. After forty days, he was taken up into heaven, and we commemorate this on Ascension Day. Here at Kakumba Chapel, our celebration of this day was by way of holding a Renewal Service in which baptismal vows were reaffirmed, and recommitment to ministry was done by many; those who missed out still have an opportunity within this week.
On the day our Lord Jesus Christ was taken up to heaven in full view of many disciples, two angels came and addressed an important issue regarding the way forward – the eschatological matter: “This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way…” Now the disciples, who did not know how to respond to this tough moment of being separated from the Lord, could go back and wait for the things that had been promised and ultimately the return of the Messiah. Are you waiting for the same? In John’s Revelation, ‘The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” (Rev 22:17). Are you able to say with them ‘Maranatha!’ (Lord, Come!)
As we turn to the life of the Church in the next season, empowered by the Holy Spirit for mission work, we need to wait eagerly and optimistically. Some should wait with fear and dread – those who do not care to trust their lives to the Saviour and live their lives in righteousness. The day of His coming will be sour for them, while those who go to victory will be ushered into a new earth devoid of the devil and the struggles and sufferings of this present world. The angels that spoke on Ascension Day have been well corroborated by visions of faithful apostles and disciples as well as the Lord Jesus himself while he was still here on earth. We do well to believe and take seriously the promise of Jesus’ second coming, and live as those who are waiting eagerly for this event.
God bless you all.