The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Acts 1:1-11. “The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach,
2 until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen.
3 To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God.
4 Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, “Which,” He said, “you heard of from Me;
5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
6 So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, ‘Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?’
7 He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority;
8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.’
9 And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.
10 And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them.
11 They also said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.’”

One of the most difficult things in the world is waiting! As a kid, I hated waiting! It seemed we were always waiting for something or someone. My aunt was coming from Baltimore, and we were waiting for her arrival! Yes, I was allowed to play with my cousins just a few blocks away; but for now, we were waiting! It never stopped! –at least, it seemed that way.

I can only imagine the frustration of Jesus’ disciples, as they were gathered and waiting in the upper room. It was the LORD Jesus’ directive that they should wait –but for what? and for how long? All He had told them was that the Father had power and control over everything. Something big was going to occur. But for now, they were waiting.

Some things are worth the wait! This occasion certainly was, because while they waited and watched, Jesus suddenly started “floating” upward into the air. He was ascending to His Father in Heaven. It was all just as He had promised. And then it was over.

The Scriptures teach that this same Jesus, born in Bethlehem, crucified in Jerusalem, and now ascending to His Heavenly Father –would return! When? Again, we’re merely waiting! Still, Jesus said He would return. Those who have trusted Him as LORD and Savior have good reason to see His return. Those who have not – well, the Scriptures say they will face Great devastation in the fires of Hell! What a sobering thought! If you have not personally trusted Him as your Savior, do it now!
It will make waiting for His Return that much more worthwhile.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom