Acts 1:10

Monday, 4 October 2021 <p> </p> <p>Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. Acts 1:9</p> <p> </p> <p>With His instruction and commission to His apostles stated in the previous words, Luke next says, “Now when He had spoken these things.” Luke makes a point of repeating that Jesus had spoken the words of the previous verses –</p> <p> </p> <p>1:4 – remain in Jerusalem and wait for the Promise of the Father</p> <p>1:5 – you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit</p> <p>1:6 – questioned by the apostles concerning the restoration of the kingdom to Israel</p> <p>1:7 – it is not for you to know the times and the seasons reserved by the Father</p> <p>1:8 – you shall receive power and you shall be witnesses to Me</p> <p> </p> <p>The Holy Spirit (the Promise of the Father) would be given. Despite this, with the giving of the Spirit, we do not have a direct connection to all of the infinite knowledge of God. Certain things are withheld at the Father’s prerogative. However, the Holy Spirit will endow the Lord’s people with everything needed to accomplish His purposes with the main point being to witness to the Person of Jesus Christ.</p> <p> </p> <p>With this focused on by Luke, meaning it is what is of primary importance (even if the Lord spoke with them for an hour about a hundred other subjects), Luke next says, “while they watched.”</p> <p> </p> <p>In his gospel, Luke notes the following at this time –</p> <p> </p> <p>“And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. 51 Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.” Luke 24:50-53</p> <p> </p> <p>The Lord spoke to the apostles (and any others who may have accompanied them), He blessed them, and then “while they watched, He was taken up.” It is of note