Acts 1:6–11
Human beings have always been fascinated with the future.
We want to know what is going to happen next.
When will things change?
What is God doing?
When will Christ return?
What will happen in the world before He comes?
The disciples had questions like these too.
In Acts 1:6 they asked Jesus:
“Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”
They were thinking about kingdoms, governments, politics, national restoration, and future events.
Jesus did not give them the timetable they wanted.
Instead, He redirected their attention.
He told them that the times and seasons were under the Father’s authority. Then He immediately reminded them of their responsibility:
“You will be my witnesses...” — Acts 1:8
The disciples wanted information about the future.
Jesus gave them instructions for the present.
There is a lesson there for every generation of Christians.
Biblical prophecy matters. We should study what Scripture teaches about the return of Christ. Jesus really is coming again.
But prophecy should produce faithfulness, not speculation.
Imagine an employee who knows that the boss is coming back sometime during the day. Instead of working, the employee spends every hour standing near the window trying to determine exactly when the boss will arrive.
At the end of the day, the boss is probably not going to be impressed that the employee accurately predicted his arrival.
He is going to ask, “Did you do the work I gave you?”
Christians can become so interested in the timing of Christ’s return that we neglect the mission Christ gave us until He returns.
After Jesus finished speaking to His disciples, something remarkable happened.
Acts 1 tells us that He was lifted up before their eyes and a cloud took Him from their sight.
The disciples stood there looking into heaven.
Can we blame them?
Imagine standing on the Mount of Olives watching Jesus physically ascend before your eyes.
I would have stared too.
But then two angels appeared and asked:
“Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven?”
They assured the disciples that this same Jesus would return.
That promise remains one of the great hopes of the Christian faith.
Jesus is coming again.
Not symbolically.
Not merely spiritually.
The same Jesus who ascended will return.
The proper response, however, is not to stand around staring at the sky.
It is to get busy doing what Jesus told us to do.
Think about standing at an airport after someone you love boards a plane. You might watch the aircraft taxi away and disappear into the distance. But eventually, you have to leave the airport.
There is still life to live.
There are responsibilities waiting.
There is work to do.
Jesus’ return should create urgency in the life of every believer.
Because Jesus is coming again, we should forgive quickly.
We should love generously.
We should worship sincerely.
We should share the gospel boldly.
We should hold earthly possessions loosely.
We should live with eternity in mind.
The question is not, “Can I figure out exactly when Jesus is returning?”
Jesus already answered that kind of curiosity.
The better question is this:
If Jesus returned today, would He find me faithfully doing what He told me to do?
There are neighbors who need Christ.
There are families that need hope.
There are people carrying guilt, grief, addiction, loneliness, and fear.
There are people who have never understood the good news that Jesus saves.
The church has work to do.
We should absolutely look forward to the return of Jesus.
But until He comes, our eyes should be on the mission, our hands should be ready for service, and our hearts should be faithful to Christ.
Don’t spend your life simply watching the clock.
Live the mission.
