Acts 1:6-11 – The Ride Home – Bible study

Acts 1:6-11 The Ride Home The picture upon the Mount of Olives is almost humorous. The King James puts is eloquently but the truth is that everyone was standing around looking at the empty sky when they heard a voice saying, "What are you looking up there for? Hell be back just like He left." Then, the angels were gone too! With that promise, the early church lowered their eyes but kept their hearts focused on the gates of heaven. The fact that the return of Jesus was on their mind is obvious from the Scriptures. Listen to what some of the Bible writers said: John the Apostle: Revelation 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Paul the Apostle: 2 Timothy 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. Writer of Hebrews: Hebrews 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. Peter the Apostle: 2 Peter 3:12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. From the Bible, the question has never been, "Is Jesus coming again?" The question has been, "When is Jesus coming again?" I. The Bible teaches a literal, personal, pre-tribulational, pre- millennial, imminent return of Jesus. A. We believe in the literal and personal return of Jesus or as the angels put it, "as you have seen him go." \#11\ 1. Some believe that Jesus will not literally come back but that references to His coming are some kind of symbol or parable. 2. And some go further to say that Jesus did not literally and personally rise from the tomb. At the most, they believe Jesus is merely some spirit, no more a fleshly being. 3. However, what Jesus did in the Upper Room after the resurrection made it clear to His discipleseven doubting Thomasthat Jesus was literally and personally alive and on the earth after His resurrection. a. \Luke 24:36-43\ Notice: (1) \#39\ They thought Jesus was a spirit but He let them touch Him and told them a spirit did not have the flesh like they were touching. (2) \#41-43\ Then He ate. The text makes it clear that Jesus did this in front of them so they would know He was alive. (3) \#46\ Jesus said He rose from the dead on the 3rd day. He was not a ghost or spirit but the same One He was before He had died. (4) \#48\ He told them that they were physical witnesses to tell others that He was alive, not a ghost or spirit, but alive. b. Jesus did not just appear once. He appeared to His inner disciples on many occasions and to other believers both in large groups and individuals. 4. Jesus was literally and personally alive when He left and the angels said He would return in like fashion. So Jesus will literally and personally return to this earth. B. The Bible teaches an imminent return – It could happen at any moment. Again, notice the different writers. Paul: Philippians 4:5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. The writer of Hebrews: Hebrews 10:37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. James: James 5:8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. 9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door. Peter; 1Peter 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. John: Revelation 3:11, 22:7 Behold, I come quickly: Revelation 22:10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. Revelation 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. C. Give you some terms: 1. pre-millennial, amillennial, post millennial 2. pre-tribulation, mid-tribulation, post tribulation II. The Bible \#1Thess 4:13-17\ teaches a detailed series of events for the Christians. A. \#14\ Jesus gathers the eternal souls of those who have died to bring them with Him. 2Co 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. B. \#16\ Jesus begins His return with: 1. a shout 2. the voice of an archangel 3. a trumpet sounding C. The actual rapture begins with the dead rising. D.\#17\ Then, the living are changed \#1Cor 15:51-54\ \#1Cor 15:42-45\. D. We all meet in the air. E. We are with Him forever. III. The Bible also teaches a detailed series of events for the lost. A. The rapture marks the resumption of the Jewish clock. 1. \#Daniel 9:24-27\ a. Depending on the exact date used for the decree, adding 483 years will take you to the ministry of John the Baptist, the birth year of Christ, the triumphant entry of Christ, or the year of Christs death. b. Vs. 26 describes the time period as a "flood of miseries and war of desolations until the end." 2. \#Rev 5:1\ The book of judgments will be opened. We refer to that time period as the tribulation. B. The rapture marks the beginning of a great delusion. 2Thess 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 1. The world will believe the devil is God. 2. \#2Thess 2:12\ Why? That they might be damned. IV. What are the practical implications of our belief? A. It keeps us pure. 1John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. B. It keeps us moving. 1Cor 7:29 But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none; 30 And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not;