In Like Manner

Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven. 

Acts 1:9-11 

Christ ascended from the Mount of Olives into heaven while the disciples watched Him. Two angels stood beside them as commentators on the event. The most significant part of their communication was that Jesus ‘will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into Heaven.’ There are several thoughts here worthy of our consideration. The first is that these words were in complete harmony with Christ’s words to His disciples at the Last Supper when He said, ‘I will come again….’ The second is that the return of Christ will be physical and visible as was His ascension. Another thought is His return will be to the Mount of Olives as the fulfillment of an ancient prophecy from Zechariah 14 that says, ‘And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall 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.’ Thus, the authors of Scripture speak as one on this subject. Christ will return as He went. We look forward to the day and hour when the faith shall be sight. Our hope is not in this world, in its’ leaders or agenda. We testify of the Living Christ, Who rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, and ‘will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.’ Even so, come, Lord Jesus.  

Our Glorious, Living Christ, 
we rejoice that You are as good as Your Word. 
We praise You that You will come again, 
in the same manner in which You went. 

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning