Stationary brings complacency

Acts 1:10, 11 There is always a reason as to when the presence of angels is made known. The reason in this passage came in a two-part message. The first reason: it was time to stop just standing there. Jesus left, but He left them with a promise, they would realize that He was still there. Jesus had brought them to this mountain, but he did not bring them there to stay. He brought them there so that they should continue his work.

The bible uses the phrase that they were “gazing” up into the heavens. This depicts more than that of a quick glance. But they were fixed, stationary in the moment. It is never God’s will for our life to be stationary. To be stationary breeds complacency. Just as Jesus to allow Peter and James and John to build temples on the Mount Transfiguration; He also does not desire for us to become comfortable or stationary in our relationship with Him. We must continue to seek His face and His will, to pursue His promises. We must continue His work.

The 2nd reason was to declare that He would return. The fact that He went up, lets us know that He will come down. Jesus could have chosen to simply vanish, or leave by some other means, but He chose to be taken up. Then the angel makes the joyous declaration that, this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

It is indicated in scripture that angels have certain positions or purposes, just as Michael the arch angel seems to be involved in wars and battles, and Gabriel is involved with announcements, and delivering God’s message. So I think it is possible that announced the birth of Christ may be the same angel that declared that Christ would return. Two wonderful messages: He is here, and He is coming again. This too is our message, He is here, and He is coming again.

HOLLY STREET CHURCH OF GOD, 807 HOLLY STREET ATLANTA TX