by Timothy W. Burnett
The last recorded meeting between Jesus and his disciples is found in Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:19; Luke 24:50-53 and Acts 1:4-11.
Because I am not familiar with the geography, it is difficult to determine if Matthew's reference to Galilee is the same as, or similar to Luke's record of Bethany. If Bethany was located in the larger area called Galilee, then it is very possible that both accounts refer to the same event.
According to Luke, Jesus had already been with them 40 days. Matthew reveals that many of the disciples paid proper homage to our Lord Jesus, but some of them still doubted he was the Christ. Jesus told all of them that all power was given to him. This power was from God and could be exerted both in heaven and in earth. He commanded them to teach all the nations of people so that they might also believe and be baptized with holy spirit, and reminded them that he would always be with them unto the end of the world.
The record in Acts gives more details about the same meeting. Jesus told them to wait in Jerusalem for the promise from God the Father. They were also reminded of the change from water baptism to the baptism of holy spirit. He said, "For John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the holy ghost not many days from now" (Acts 1:5). John's baptism was symbol of what was to come. And it was about to become available for anybody to be baptized with holy spirit, making the baptism of water insignificant. The lesser was replaced by the greater.
After he said this, his disciples asked him if it was time for him to restore the kingdom of Israel. Jesus answered with the truth, "It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father has put in His own power. But you shall receive power after the holy ghost is come upon you. And you shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea. and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:7-8). To be a witness of our risen Lord and Savior is directly related to receiving power. The word receive is from the Greek word lambano. This will be covered in more detail soon.
After Jesus spoke these things to his disciples he was taken up through a cloud, out of their sight. While they continued to focus their attention toward the sky as he went up, two men dressed in white clothing said, "You men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into the sky? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as you have seen him go into heaven" (Acts 1:9-11).
The record of Revelation 19:11-21 reveals that his next return to the earth will be to battle with a certain number of kings and their armies, and to cast their god into a place for eternal punishment. Jesus Christ will return with an army that will have already been with him in heaven. This will not be an army of angels, but instead all the born again children of God who will some day be caught up int he sky to be forever with our Lord Jesus (see 1Thesalonians 4:13-18 and 1Corinthians 15:51-58).
Praise God for His perfect wisdom and knowledge!
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