Acts: Sobering Thoughts, Pt. 1

Jesus is going to come back to the earth, again:

Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven. Acts 1:11

For what purpose? Not to die again. That’s for certain. So, why?

Certain elements of the prophecy of Joel that Peter employed—rightly so—to interpret the Day of Pentecost have yet to happen, and they give us a clue about what lies ahead when Christ returns:

And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Acts 2:19-21

He will not come this time for sacrifice, but for judgment. Jesus is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. Acts 10:42. In fact, everyone —every soul—who does not listen to Jesus will be destroyed. Acts 3:23.

Until Christ’s return on the Day of the Lord, we learn that Jesus is currently alive and full of gladness in the presence of God. Acts 2:28. Heaven must receive Jesus until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. Acts 3:21.

He is seated at the right hand of God, and the Father is busy—occupied with making Jesus’ enemies a footstool for his feet. Acts 2:34-35. A terrifying prospect for those who hate, deny, and reject Jesus. Terrifying because the same One who said, let there be light, and there was light, will accomplish this new purpose, which He has purposed in His heart—here and now, fashioning Jesus’ enemies into a footstool.

In contrast to that terrible present judgment, and the impending judgment at Christ’s return, God is adding to the church those who are being saved. Acts 2:41, 47. And God the Father has exalted His Son to His right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins (Acts 5:31) and salvation to the ends of the earth. Acts 13:47.

Judgment, His judgment, is coming on what will prove to be a most fateful Day. So what now?

God now commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a Day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed—namely Jesus; and of this impending judgment He has made us all aware of it by raising Jesus from the dead. Acts 17:30-31 (as amended).

• Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts. 2:38

• Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out. Acts 3:19

• Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. Acts 8:22

At the birth of the Church Peter admonished us, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation (Acts 2:40) and call upon the Name of the Lord so that you may be saved.” (Acts 2:21). And at the end of his ministry, Peter left us with this word of encouragement:

“Where is the promise of His coming?” they will ask. “Ever since our fathers fell asleep, everything continues as it has from the beginning of creation.”

But they deliberately overlook the fact that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water, through which the world of that time perished in the flood. And by that same word, the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

Beloved, do not let this one thing escape your notice: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.

But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare.

Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to conduct yourselves in holiness and godliness as you anticipate and hasten the coming of the day of God, when the heavens will be destroyed by fire and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with God’s promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

2 Peter 3:1-13 (emphasis added).

In Revelation 22:12 Christ Jesus warns, "And behold, I am coming quickly, and my reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work."  And he affirms, "Surely I am coming quickly" in verse 20. Amen!  Even so, come, Lord Jesus!