This same Jesus

This phrase by itself leaves us wondering what the subject will be concerned with. Yet it also implies that this 'Jesus' is the same as a 'Jesus' who is already known.

Let's look at the verse in the Scriptures where this phrase is found. Acts 1:11 states, "...Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."

This verse immediately points us to the ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ into heaven.

Indeed if we look at the preceding verses we find that:

(a) Jesus was with His disciples for 40 days after He rose from among the dead.

(b) Now He is ready to ascend into heaven.

(c) While His disciples watch He is taken up from them and a cloud receives Him out of their sight.

Then two men in white apparel inform the disciples that this very same Jesus will come again the same way as He went up to heaven,

This same Jesus is the very person who carried out a myriad of miracles for people and then willingly went to the cross at Calvary to lay down His life in payment of their sins.

This same Jesus rose up from among the dead after three days and then was seen by many disciples for the next 40 days. On the fortieth day He ascended to God the Father. This ascension was only witnessed by Jesus' disciples. It was hidden to the world at large.

Where did He ascend from? Acts 1:12 informs us that His disciples returned from "...the mount called Olivet..." which is very close to Jerusalem. The Mount of Olives is where Jesus ascended from.

Luke 24:50, 51 informs us, "(50) And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. (51) Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven." Bethany is located on the eastern slopes of the Mount of Olives.

Can we assume that the Mount of Olives is where He will return to? Do the Scriptures give us any indication that this is the place of His return?

The Old Testament prophet Zechariah gives us a very clear indication of where the Lord Jesus Christ will return to. When He returns in great power and glory it is a time of judgement on the nations!

Let’s go to Zechariah for his prophecy about this time in Israel. Zechariah 14:1, 2 tell us, “(1) Behold, the day of the Lord is coming, and your spoil shall be divided in your midst. (2) For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem; the city shall be taken, the houses rifled, and the women ravished. Half of the city shall go into captivity, but the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city.”  This is Armageddon!

Israel is in extreme peril! There is no possible way any human intervention can save the nation! Only God can save them out of this terrible situation. Zechariah 14:3 states, “Then the Lord will go forth and fight against those nations, as He fights in the day of battle.”  Matthew24:27 tells us, “For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the Son of Man be.”

The Lord Jesus Christ will suddenly appear as quickly as a flash of lightning. Let’s read on in Matthew 24:29, 30, “(29) Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. (30) Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”

Let’s pick up the time sequence from Zechariah 14:4, 5, “(4) And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two, from east to west, making a very large valley; half of the mountain shall move toward the north and half of it toward the south. (5) Then you shall flee through My mountain valley, for the mountain valley shall reach to Azal. Yes, you shall flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Thus the Lord my God will come, and all the saints with You.”

Jerusalem will be saved by a great miracle; a huge earthquake will occur when the Lord Jesus Christ stands on the Mount of Olives. A huge valley will be formed for the inhabitants of Jerusalem and Judea to flee to safety.

Zechariah 14:12, 13 give us the judgement on the invading nations. “(12)...Their flesh shall dissolve while they stand on their feet, their eyes shall dissolve in their sockets, and their tongues shall dissolve in their mouths. (13) It shall come to pass in that day that a great panic from the Lord will be among them. Everyone will seize the hand of his neighbour, and raise his hand against his neighbour’s hand.”

This is the same Jesus whom the disciples saw ascending to heaven! It is not now the man who was crucified on a cross. This is the resurrected man who comes to rule the nations in righteousness! This is Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of Man, the Son of God, the King of the Jews, King of kings and Lord of lords - God the Son!

Is He your Lord and Saviour?

Jon Peasey

Words of Life blog www.jrpeasey.blogspot.com

Ebooks author page https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/JRPeasey

[All Scriptures quoted are from the New King James version; unless otherwise noted. Words enclosed in [ ] are inserted for clarity. Words in bold type emphasise a point. You may notice some verses are quoted with ... at the beginning, ending or elsewhere in a verse. Only the relevant part or parts of the verse, that relate directly to the current subject matter is quoted.]

[If you have any questions or comments you are invited to contact me via the comments section below.]