The Bible's Biggest Buts - He has gone but He will return

He Has Gone But He Will Return After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. ‘Men of Galilee,’ they said, ‘why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.’ Acts 1:9‭-‬11 NIVUK https://bible.com/bible/113/act.1.9-11.NIVUK General Douglas MacArthur is a huge hero in the Philippines. There is a huge statue of him where he landed to rid the country of the Japanese at Palo Beach, just south of Tacloban. He was recalled to another battle and forced to surrender the Philippines at one point, and uttered his famous words "I shall return". Few believed him. They made fun of him. "I am going to the bathroom. I shall return." was one of the many jokes they made. But he was as good as his word. And he returned to drive the Japanese army from the Philippines. You see, it doesn't matter what people chose to believe about General MacArthur. He was coming back. He did come back. He was victorious. Their belief or lack of belief did nothing to change it. People mocked the idea of the Second Coming in Peter's day: Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, ‘Where is this “coming” he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.’ But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: with the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he 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 everything done in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. 2 Peter 3:3‭-‬13 NIVUK https://bible.com/bible/113/2pe.3.3-13.NIVUK No matter what people think or believe or say, the Second Coming is a reality and will happen. But what does the angel say about it? Firstly we need to see that the disciples were staring up at an empty sky. This is not a surprise. It's not every day you see someone being taken up into heaven. In fact, in all the thousands of years in Scripture, it only happened twice. The first time was Elijah, and when he ascended it was quite different: As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. 2 Kings 2:11 NIVUK https://bible.com/bible/113/2ki.2.11.NIVUK In Jesus' case it was a cloud. Clouds signified the presence of God in the Old Testament. It's no surprise that when Elijah, Jesus and Moses met on the Mount of Transfiguration a cloud was present. Peter said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters – one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!’ Matthew 17:4‭-‬5 NIVUK https://bible.com/bible/113/mat.17.4-5.NIVUK But soon the cloud was out of sight, and Jesus with it. All that was left was an angel - messenger of God. There are three critical parts of what he said. Firstly, "Why do you stand here looking at the sky?" The experience was over. Jesus had gone from sight. He had ascended. They had been left behind. The angel was pointing at our tendency to try and milk every special experience with God for all its worth. It's the reason why Peter offered to build three shelters on the Mount of Transfiguration: he didn't want it to end. But the angel's point was that it had ended. It was over. That phase of their life had gone and a new one was beginning. Secondly, "This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back". The angel was assuring them that this was part of a plan, that Jesus would return. They shouldn't despair at his passing. Jesus had been quite clear that the Holy Spirit could not come unless Jesus left: But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. John 16:7 NIVUK https://bible.com/bible/113/jhn.16.7.NIVUK But Jesus is very clear that He will return. ‘Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. Matthew 24:30 NIVUK https://bible.com/bible/113/mat.24.30.NIVUK They should live in the light of His return. Jesus has been clear about that, as we've already seen. The angel also reiterates how He will return: "in the same way you have seen him go into heaven". That is, as Jesus stated in Matthew 24:30. The angel was clearly preparing them for the onslaught of lunatics and liars who would make all manner of false claims, as Jesus did too: For many will come in my name, claiming, “I am the Messiah,” and will deceive many. Matthew 24:5 NIVUK https://bible.com/bible/113/mat.24.5.NIVUK At that time if anyone says to you, “Look, here is the Messiah!” or, “There he is!” do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you in advance. Matthew 24:23‭-‬25 NIVUK https://bible.com/bible/113/mat.24.23-25.NIVUK So what does this 'but' mean? Jesus is not with us physically. That is a fact. There will be crazy people who claim otherwise. They are wrong. He will come back. He will not come back as a reincarnation or a possession or a dream. Those who claim these things for themselves are deranged liars. No, He will return the same way He left: riding a cloud. In the meantime, we have a very big job to do.