Luke the physician wrote how Jesus' disciples watched Him as, “he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight”, and in chapter one and verse ten of the book of Acts Luke wrote how the disciples of Jesus, “looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up” where we read:
And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up,
behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
The verse begins, “And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, ...” Luke began with the words, “and while they looked steadfastly” which means “and during the time they, Jesus' disciples, fixed, gazed and earnestly set their eyes” “toward heaven” or “to the aerial heavens or sky and the region where the clouds and the tempests gather and where thunder and lightning are produced” “as he went up” which means “during the time he, Jesus, rose, departed and was removed” the following occurred. Luke shared how the “disciples” of Jesus were earnestly gazing toward the sky as Jesus rose, and the following event happened.
The verse continues, “... behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;” Luke added the word, “behold” or “lo, look and consider”, “two men stood by them” which means “two male figures were standing present, near and close to Jesus' disciples” “in white apparel” or “in white colored clothing, raiment and robes”. Luke shared how “two men” or “angels and messengers from God” were standing with the disciples of Jesus while they watched Him rise into the sky.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “two men” or “angels” suddenly appeared near to where Jesus' disciples were standing as they watch Jesus ascend into the sky. These “angels” have a message for His disciples in our next verse, but for now let this be yet another reminder that there is a spiritual world, and the Kingdom of God is “spiritual” in nature. God desires to have a personal relationship with every person through His Son Jesus, and when they yield their lives to Him as their “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive their sins, grant them everlasting life and be waiting to receive them into Heaven some day. Let all who read these words not only consider the “ascension” of Jesus back to Heaven, but also how the spiritual beings know His purposes for all mankind.
Next time Luke shares how the two men in white apparel ask Jesus' disciples, “why stand you gazing up into heaven?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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