Acts 1:9-11; "Now when He [Jesus] had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, 'Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven." (some Bibles show a cross reference to Daniel 7:13, 14).
Daniel foretold this event; Daniel 7:13-14; "I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him. Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed. "
Notice an important and commonly misunderstood thing here. The Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven as prophesied in Daniel 7:13, 14 is not a coming to the earth from heaven, but rather a coming to heaven (to the Ancient of Days) from the earth. What the disciples witnessed was the fulfillment of Daniel's prophecy, the Ascension of Jesus to His throne in heaven, to receive glory, dominion, His Kingdom, and His throne at the right hand of the Father.
There is also consideration regarding other translations of Acts 1:9-11. There really are no specific words in the text about Jesus "coming back" or "returning." Some translations insert these words based only upon the translators' own, probably unwarranted, interpretation of "shall come in like manner."
But the referent in the passage, especially considering Daniel's prophecy, is "into heaven." In other words, the interpretation might be more like this; "This same Jesus who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come [into heaven] in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven." This possible interpretation of this text puts a whole different view here, and may say nothing at all about a return trip to earth. The angels, or men in white apparel, want to be sure the disciples understand the connection with Daniel's prophecy; the Son of Man is coming with the clouds of heaven to the Ancient of Days.
There is so much to unpack and understand in these verses. It's important to discuss the words of the men in white apparel and their context. At the end of the gospel of Luke, after the resurrection, Jesus wants to make sure the disciples understand His humanity, that He, even after His resurrection, is still flesh and blood man.
Note Luke 24:38-43; "And he [Jesus] said to them, 'Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.' When He had said this, He showed them His hands and feet. But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, 'Have you any food here?' So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb. And He took it and ate in their presence."
It's a similar emphasis here in Acts 1:9-11; the men in white apparel want the disciples to understand that Jesus Christ is fully Man, even as He ascends into heaven. It is important they make the connection with Daniel's prophecy. Jesus will be coming into heaven in the same manner that you saw Him go into heaven, with clouds, and as the Son of Man, fully Man and fully God. (see comment above).
Let's talk next about Daniel's prophecy and what the Son of Man was given and find associated references. "To Him was given glory, dominion, and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him."
"To Him was given glory, dominion, and a kingdom..."
Matthew 28:18; "And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, 'All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth."
Psalm 2:8; "Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations for Your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for Your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel."
Isaiah 9:6, 7: "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder, and His name will called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this."
Acts 2:34; "For David did not ascend into heaven, but he says himself: 'The LORD said to my LORD, sit at my right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool.'" see also verses 33-36.
Acts 5:30, 31; "The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentence to Israel and forgiveness of sins."
In Revelation 5 we find a symbolic description of what happens in heaven after Christ ascends into heaven.
Jesus ascends into heaven victorious and exalted. He receives the scroll no other man was found worthy to open. He takes His rightful place as King of kings, ruler of all peoples, nations, and languages. There will be more to say later in Acts about Him beginning His reign.
He is the "ruler of all peoples, nations, and languages." Think right away about the next chapter in Acts, Acts 2:1-13. There were gathered together devout men from every nation under heaven. The multitude of peoples heard the sounds, speaking languages, rushing mighty wind noise, tongues of fire on heads, and they came together. Here are peoples, nations, and languages at the day of Pentecost and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
Alleluia, sing to Jesus, King of glory, King of all.
DR
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.