And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. Acts 1:4-5, NKJV
Acts is a book of the miraculous; a book of the promises of God manifested in fulfillment. The Words of history documented through the vessel of Luke were written around A.D. 61. The events within its pages mark the beginning of the church. The way of the apostles in obedience to Christ is clearly stated. The movement and actions of the apostles are seen in vivid, moving pictures. It is an invitation to travel in obedience and devotion to Jesus, just as His original followers. They were the chosen ones to be obedient to and carry out the gospel message. They were given instructions by the voice of the Holy One directly in order to carry out His will in proclaiming the Glory of His redemption plan. Luke addressed Theophilus directly in his parchments entitled The Acts of the Apostles. In the Greek, Theophilis means, “lover of God” (Zodhiates 1992). A lover of God is one whom desires above all else of please Him and to keep fully His commandments. Consider how treasured the Words upon parchment must have been to Luke. Receiving such a letter is indescribable to one that is a true lover of God. Do we hold the words of this book in such regard? In such treasure? Take on the heart of Theophilis in studying the scriptures in the Book of Acts. Follow the commandants of the Words of Christ. Seek the Lover of your soul within the Words of devotion. Read John 14: 15-18 and Acts 1:1-5.
Jesus Appeared to Speak of His Kingdom
Until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.”
The Lord says, I, the Lord speak plainly and give infallible proofs for ones to do My bidding in obedience. I seek to be sought. For I AM the Lover of the Soul of Man. For I shall not leave My children comfortless. For I AM with My people by My Spirit. Follow the way spoken by My apostles. For the messengers of God are to be heard. Ones that have heard My voice in days of old continue to speak in this day by the writing of My Word. For I, the Lord, speak of things to come for the Kingdom’s sake. For I will for none to perish, but for all to come to the knowledge of the truth. For just as John baptized with water, I shall baptize by My Spirit. For I AM the baptizer of the Holy Ghost. Just as My people of old tarried in Jerusalem, tarry in seeking Me. For you shall be endued with power from on High. Heed My Words in devotion to Me, My children. Wait for the equipping of the saints. For I shall make thee new.
The Timing of the Lord
Read Acts 1:6-7. Jesus spoke specifically of time in verse 5. Time is truly held by the Lord, Himself. For Jesus spoke these Words in verse 7:
It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.”
Authority means, “the right to carry out a task, while completely denying the existence of hindrance” (Zodhiates, 1992). Our God is sovereign. His authority is final authority. His words call the disciples to a place of humility and meekness. For Jesus alone was to bear the knowledge and understanding of time in regard to the Kingdom of God. The same is true for our lives both in the natural and in the eternal. All of human kind wonder of time; however, the Knower of Time, knows the time and season of all things under Heaven. When Jesus speaks of The Father in this passage of scripture, He is speaking of the Spirit. The God of Creation is now wrapped in flesh speaking of His principles For He is the infinite One, I AM, that holds all things in both time and space.
The Lord says, I AM the keeper of time. For My ways are not as your ways. My thoughts are not as your thoughts, says the Lord. I protect thee from worry and doubt in not speaking of time. For in the time, trust is formed and faith is birthed. It is for thy good that thee wait upon Me. I speak plainly of what is to come at appointed times. For I know what thee has need of in each season. Trust Me with time. For I have forgotten not the promises of old. For a new season is approaching. Know that I know best as I hear thy cry of questioning. Praise Me rather for what I have already done. Come into My covenant of peace. Let My presence be thy guide each day. Make no mistake. For I shall fulfill all. Follow the way of the apostles in the pages of Holy writ. For as I speak this day, all shall be. I give all in My name, thus saith the Lord, Amen.
I shall prepare thee to be My witnesses, says the Lord. Therefore tarry in My presence until thee receive power as the Holy Spirit comes upon you. I AM the same yesterday, today, and forever. It is well, My children. It is well.
References
Zodhiates, S. (1992). The Complete Word Study Dictionary New Testament. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.
Zodhiates, S. (1991). The Complete Word Study New Testament. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.
All scripture quotations were taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
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