Recently, I have begun a new project; A study Bible, that uses uncomplicated charts (something like the one above) and simplified outlines. Every project has a beginning and mine is a theme: The Gospel of Christ in every book of the Bible. As I began, I thought... where to start? The answer (s) came to me in the form of three books: Romans, Luke and Acts. And as I considered these things, I turned to Acts, Chapter 1 and read...
Acts, Chapter 1
1 The first book I wrote, Theophilus, concerned all that Jesus began both to do and to teach, 2 until the day in which he was received up, after he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 To these he also showed himself alive after he suffered, by many proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days, and speaking about God’s Kingdom. 4 Being assembled together with them, he commanded them, “Don’t depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which you heard from me. 5 For John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
6 Therefore when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, are you now restoring the kingdom to Israel?”
7 He said to them, “It isn’t for you to know times or seasons which the Father has set within his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.”
9 When he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 While they were looking steadfastly into the sky as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white clothing, 11 who also said, “You men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who was received up from you into the sky will come back in the same way as you saw him going into the sky.”
6 Therefore when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, are you now restoring the kingdom to Israel?”
7 He said to them, “It isn’t for you to know times or seasons which the Father has set within his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.”
9 When he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 While they were looking steadfastly into the sky as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white clothing, 11 who also said, “You men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who was received up from you into the sky will come back in the same way as you saw him going into the sky.”
Then, this morning, as I took Buddy and Paul for their morning walk, I looked up at the clear blue sky and remembered my project. So, when I sat down to write, I happened to notice one of Barnes Charts and it focused my thoughts once again!!! Looking up at the sky is one thing, but realizing that Jesus is there and will be back is quite another. Look up and think- Jesus will be back: The Bible plainly teaches this!!! For those of us who call ourselves Christians- heaven awaits!!! Take a few moments and look up the verses listed on the chart, just to be reminded of what awaits us... then look heavenward, I just know that the sky will seem bluer and the future will be just a bit brighter!!!!
May God bless you!!!
Your friend,
Gary