Homilist Acts 1:10-11 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; I. The CHIDING element. "Why stand ye gazing?" There is undoubtedly reproof in these words. 1. "Why stand ye?" — you need not lament that which is a blessing. All that is necessary on earth for your spiritual culture and well-being He has accomplished, and now He enters heaven in order to give efficiency to all the spiritual instrumentalities which He has set in operation amongst you. You should rejoice, rather than lament — rejoice at what He has done for you, rejoice that He has triumphed over His enemies, rejoice that He is leaving His degradation, sorrows, and enemies for scenes of dignity, blessedness, and love. Ah, how often, through our ignorance, we lament over events which should fill us with rejoicing. 2. "Why stand ye" — you gain much by His departure. It is "expedient" for you that He goes away, for if He goes not away "the Comforter will not come." When He is gone you will be thrown back upon yourselves and be made self-reliant. 3. "Why stand ye" — He has given you a commission to work. "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature, beginning at Jerusalem." II. The CHEERING element. "This same Jesus which is taken from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven." 1. He will return to you "in like manner." How unexpectedly He went away. It is said, "while they looked" He went. "In like manner" He will come: unexpectedly. 2. He will return to you identical in personality. "This same Jesus." Same loving Brother, tried Friend, mighty Lord, etc. Whatever changes take place in the universe, they will not touch Him. 3. He will return to you in great glory. He went up in great glory, "a cloud received Him out of their sight." What cloud was that? It was that luminous, mystic flame which was ever regarded as the symbol of the Divine Presence. That which gleamed in the bush to Moses, in the pillar that conducted the Children of Israel through the wilderness, over the mercy-seat in the holy of holies, which glided through the heavens like a star and conducted the wise men to the place where Jesus was born; that which spread over the Mount of Transfiguration and made the scene so transporting. "In like manner" He will come. "I beheld a great white throne, and Him that sat thereon," etc.Conclusion: Such is what seems implied in this angelic language and from it three general truths may be drawn. 1. That what we deem our greatest losses are often our greatest gain. 2. That we indulge too much in the sentiments of religion when they detain us from earnest work." 3. That the destinies of men in all worlds and ages are bound up in Christ. "This same Jesus." (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; |
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