When he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight. Acts 1:9 WEB

This statement describes Jesus’ ascension into heaven in the presence of his faithful as they were looking. The event happened after his resurrection and forty days of further instruction. Acts 1:8 records the Lord’s assurance and assignment to his followers. It says, “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. WEB” 

In his following statement, the words “as they were looking” have significance beyond what is immediately apparent. Of course, they indicate the reliability of the eyewitness account of those present as Christ ascended into heaven. But beyond that, these words demonstrate the disciples’ fixation on the Lord, astonishment at what they witnessed, and willingness to follow him.

Taken Into Heaven

As they were looking, the Lord ascended into a cloud and will return, descending from a cloud. Additionally, the Bible records the words of two men dressed in white informing the onlookers of Christ’s return. Acts 1:11 reads, “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. NIV” These men appear to be angels. 

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 gives a similar description of the return of Christ saying, “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with God’s trumpet. The dead in Christ will rise first, then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. So we will be with the Lord forever. WEB”

Yesterday’s Devotional: Spirit and Truth