Author: Charlie Garrett

Saturday, 9 October 2021

These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. Acts 1:14

Note: You can listen to today’s introduction courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

With the naming of those who were in the upper room of the meeting place complete, Luke continues that thought showing that more people accompanied them, but the highlight is upon those mentioned. It is they, in particular, who are noted as apostles in verse 1:2.

The word “apostle” (Greek: apostolos), signifies a messenger or one sent on a mission. It is the sender of the apostle, then, by whom the apostle is known. If an emperor sent out an apostle, he would be an apostle of the emperor. It is the men named in the previous verse that are considered the apostles of Jesus in its strictest sense. They were personally commissioned by Him.

As this is so, it is inappropriate to use the term “apostle of Jesus” today. There was no commission because the Lord did not personally send that individual. The reason for stating this now is that others may have been on the Mount of Olives with Jesus and the apostles, but it is the apostles who were highlighted upon their return to the upper room. Now, in that same thought, others are mentioned separately, indicating that they were not so commissioned by the Lord.

With this understood, Luke begins this verse with, “These all.” It is referring to the apostles just named. The highlight is on them, and it is they who are set to continue this message as designated apostles. They have a particular task to perform, and that will continue to be highlighted as the narrative progresses. It is they who “continued with one accord.”

The word used is a new one to Scripture, homothumadon. It means “with one mind,” “unanimously,” “with one accord,” and so on. It is a compound word derived from homo (same) and thumos, signifying “passion.” Thus, there is a uniting in purpose. It can be in intent, in wrath, and so on. A fuller study of this word will be included below to make a point about the early church. In the case of these apostles, their united passion was “in prayer and supplication.”

The two Greek words are similar in meaning. Some texts only say, “in prayer.” The main point is that these men were united in intent and purpose in the prayers they set forth, probably praying for wisdom, understanding, and the ability to convey this new message properly. Along with this, there must have been an almost unlimited number of prayers for eyes to be opened concerning Christ to the people.

For such a small group, without their leader physically present, it must have seemed a daunting task. But they had been given the assurance by Jesus that He would not leave them alone He would send the Holy Spirit. Their prayers must have included many words concerning this as well. Next, Luke notes that they were also “with the women.”

These are the women who had accompanied Jesus and who were most highly noted in the gospels by Luke. One of several examples is found in Luke 8 –

“Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, ² and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, ³ and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance.” Luke 8:1-3

Only after noting them does Luke next include the words, “and Mary the mother of Jesus.” The inclusion of Jesus’ mother is to demonstrate that she was not neglected by the apostles, even if she had nothing to offer them as the other women did. Although the Gospel of John is written much later, the knowledge that Jesus had appointed His beloved apostle to care for her was already known –

“When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, ‘Woman, behold your son!’ ²⁷ Then He said to the disciple, ‘Behold your mother!’ And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.” John 19:26, 27

The inclusion of Mary in this list is to show that she had been cared for accordingly. This is the last of the few times she is mentioned in Scripture. There is nothing said of note concerning her that would excuse the Roman Catholic teachings and idolatry of her. There is no allowance for prayers to or through her, there is no idolizing of her authorized, and so on. Scripture does not mention the doctrine of Immaculate Conception, and it in fact argues against it. It also does not speak of her “perpetual virginity,” but also clearly argues against it. There is no note of her assumption as well. These are heretical teachings set forth with the sole intent of diminishing the role of Jesus Christ.

Luke completes the thought with, “and with His brothers.” This is certainly included for several reasons. The first is that they came to understand that Jesus is, in fact, the sinless Son of God and the Messiah, something they were previously skeptical about. Further, being listed after the apostles, it shows that they were not considered as such. And thirdly, James (the Lord’s brother) will eventually be the leader of the church as is inferred from the words of Acts 15:13.

As such, it shows that being an apostle has its own purpose, but it does not necessarily confer authority or preeminence in all areas. As such, the idea of “apostolic authority” which is supposedly claimed by various denominations, is another incorrect and inappropriate doctrine. It abuses the intended meaning of the word “apostle,” and it claims an authority that cannot be inferred from Scripture.

As can be seen, this one verse – when considered rightly with other parts of Scripture – refutes a couple points of bad doctrine or even heresy.

Life application: As noted above, the word homothumadon will be looked at a little more closely. These are all of the uses of the word in Scripture –

“These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.” Acts 1:14

“So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,” Acts 2:46

“So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: ‘Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them,’” Acts 4:24

“And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch.” Acts 5:12

“Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord;” Acts 7:57

“And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.” Acts 8:6

“Now Herod had been very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon; but they came to him with one accord, and having made Blastus the king’s personal aide their friend, they asked for peace, because their country was supplied with food by the king’s country.”Acts 12:20

“it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,” Acts 15:25

“When Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him to the judgment seat,” Acts 18:12

“So the whole city was filled with confusion, and rushed into the theater with one accord, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul’s travel companions.” Acts 19:29

“that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus” Christ. Romans 15:6

A great deal can be learned from the careful placement of this word at the various points in Acts. But only a short evaluation will be made. First, the word is used eleven times total with ten being in Acts. The first seven uses are in the “Peter” chapters of Acts 1-12. One use (Acts 8:6) is among the Samaritans, a people who had their own Pentateuch and are more of an offshoot of what is going on in the religion of the Jews than anything else.

Of the two uses in the “Paul” chapters of Acts (Acts 13-28) the eighth use is in the Council of Jerusalem as led by the Jews. The ninth and final use is seen in the Gentiles coming against the believers of the church.

The eleventh and final use of the word is by Paul, writing to the Romans (and thus by extension to the entire Gentile-led church) to be of one mind in glorifying “the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

With only this minimal evaluation of this word, it is plainly evident that unlike the early Jewish-led church, the gentile churches agree on very little. The reason for this is quite apparent. There is a complete breakdown in theology within the church. There is a lack of applying proper context, there is a mixing of dispensations, there is a failure to understand what is prescriptive and what is descriptive for doctrine and practice.

The early church had one body of Scripture that they were well versed in. The early Gentiles had the same body of Scripture, but they were not well versed in it. Therefore, they were easily swayed by external pressures. A perfect example of this is found in the book of Galatians. There was a failure to recognize false teachings, false teachers, and heretical ideas.

To this day, that continues. And the entire reason it does is BECAUSE WE FAIL TO HEED THE WORD. When the word is ignored, diminished, added to (see the Roman Catholic heresies mentioned above), and so on, we can never be in one accord. It is the word of God, in its proper context, that is to be held to and properly evaluated. May it be so in our lives, to the glory of God who has so ordained it. In such a state, the “with one accord” mentioned above will be realized, and there will be harmony among believers –

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brethren to dwell together in unity!
² It is like the precious oil upon the head,
Running down on the beard,
The beard of Aaron,
Running down on the edge of his garments.
³ It is like the dew of Hermon,
Descending upon the mountains of Zion;
For there the Lord commanded the blessing—
Life forevermore.” Psalm 133

Lord God, help us to rightly divide Your precious word, and then to present it in this manner so that all believers will be built up into one body that has Jesus Christ properly placed in His glorious position before You and before us! Amen.

Friday, 8 October 2021

And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James. Acts 1:13

Note: You can listen to today’s verse and commentary, courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read today’s verse and commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern The Bible,” at this link on YouTube. (Click Here to listen)

The words now are dependent on what was said in the previous verse. The apostles returned to Jerusalem. Upon their return, Luke next says, “And when they had entered.” This is referring to Jerusalem the city. It is upon entering it that, “they went up into the upper room.”

The KJV incorrectly states “an upper room.” The use of the article defines this as a room set aside for them that they specifically used in order to meet. The Greek word is huperóon. It signifies the upper part of the house. This word is only found in Acts where it is used four times – Acts 1:13, 9:37, 9:39, 20:8. From the uses, it can be determined that such a room was set aside for gatherings. They may be for meetings, parties, funerals, and so on.

In Luke 24, it says –

“And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, ⁵³ and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.” Luke 24:52, 53

Because of this, some take this as being an upper room of the temple. It is then assumed that this is where the events of Acts 2:1 take place –

“When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.”

This connection is not necessary. The wording of Luke 24:53 simply means that they went to the temple to worship often, not that they were living there. What occurs in Acts 2 is certainly at the temple though. There is a place where they met as a group, and the temple is where they went to worship. The two are probably distinct thoughts.

It is in this room “where they were staying.” Again, the older KJV incorrectly says “where abode.” Rather, it is a present participle. They were staying there, and they continued to do so now that they had returned.

At the time of Luke, this room would have been known, and anyone who wanted to check his writing for accuracy could easily have followed his narrative to determine if his words were plausible or invented. With this carefully noted by Luke, he next presents the names of those who need to be highlighted. The list is the same as that given in Luke 16:14-16, except the order is changed for a few of the names. Also, Judas Iscariot is obviously not with the apostles in Acts, having come to a gruesome end. His demise was recorded in Matthew 27:5. Luke will give a secondary description of the end of Judas in Acts 1:18.

For now, here are those listed by Luke who gathered in the upper room –

“Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James.”

This is how they are listed in Luke and then again in Acts –

Luke 16:14-16 –                                                                     Acts 1:13 –

Simon, whom He also named Peter                                  Peter
Andrew his brother                                                               James
James                                                                                       John
John                                                                                          Andrew
Philip                                                                                        Philip
Bartholomew                                                                          Thomas
Matthew                                                                                  Bartholomew
Thomas                                                                                    Matthew
James the son of Alphaeus                                                  James the son of Alphaeus
Simon called the Zealot                                                        Simon the Zealot
Judas the son of James                                                         Judas the son of James
Judas Iscariot who also became a traitor

Life application: If you are going to take the book of Acts in a prescriptive manner, then churches would be meeting in upper rooms. The words here describe what occurred. They prescribe nothing. Remember this, because when we get to verses that are used by some to set church doctrine from the book of Acts, you must ask, “What is the difference between this verse and the verse about meeting in an upper room?”

Be sure to think such things through and not rush ahead in setting doctrine based merely on what the text is saying. Is it only describing something? Is it prescribing something? Acts is presenting a historical account of what occurred. For the most part, it is not intended to establish church doctrine. Keep reminding yourself of this as you continue.

Lord God Almighty, You have set Your word down as a guide to us. At times, it tells us of future events. At times, it tells us of historical events. And at times, it sets forth doctrine for us to walk in accord with what is set forth. Help us to maintain the proper context so that we rightly divide the words set forth before us. Amen.

Thursday, 7 October 2021

Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey. Acts 1:12

Note: You can listen to today’s verse and commentary, courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read today’s verse and commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern The Bible,” at this link on YouTube. (Click Here to listen)

The two men who appeared with the apostles just relayed the news of Christ’s promised return. With that complete, nothing more is said of them. It simply states, “Then they returned to Jerusalem.”

In Luke 24, it says the following –

“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 24:51-53

The words, “And they worshiped Him,” appear to have occurred after His ascension. It may be that the confirming words of the two men that Jesus Christ is, in fact, the Lord (see previous commentary), resulted in a time of prayer and praise to God. If so, it is after this time of worship that they proceeded to head back to Jerusalem “from the mount called Olivet.”

The word translated as “Olivet” is found only here in the Bible, Elaión. It is derived from elaia, meaning “an olive tree.” It is the area where an orchard of olive trees was located. The mountain ridge is one that is separated from Jerusalem by the Kidron Valley. Of this walk from the Mount of Olives to Jerusalem, Luke specifically says that it is “a Sabbath day’s journey.”

There are two possibilities for the inclusion of this statement. The first is that it is a general term used to describe the distance if it were a Sabbath, even if it was not a Sabbath. In other words, even if this was not a Saturday (Sabbath), it is the distance that would be considered allowable to walk on a Sabbath. This maximum distance is two thousand cubits as is based on Joshua 3:4. It is about three-quarters of a mile. Luke is careful to give specific distances elsewhere, such as in Luke 24:13.

The other possibility is that this was, in fact, a Sabbath. As such, Luke is noting that the distance they walked was not a violation of the Sabbath laws. This would then mean that they had gone to the mount on Friday, and walked back Friday evening, the start of the Sabbath (or even Saturday morning after a night of worship and sleep). This would then be in accord with statements recorded by Luke, such as –

“And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid. ⁵⁶ Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.” Luke 23:55, 56

Without being dogmatic, it would appear that Luke is stating this distance because it was a Sabbath. If so, then the traditional dating for the ascension is incorrect. The church places it ten days prior to Pentecost. Acts 1:3 says that Christ was seen “during forty days.” The Greek reads “through forty days.” As such, instead of a Thursday ascension, it very well could be a Friday (or Friday evening) ascension. Thus, Luke is now specifying that with the term “a Sabbath day’s journey.”

If so, then the ascension of Christ until Pentecost is eight days. The reason this is possible is because of typology. Christ would then be seen to have completed all of His work and then entered into His rest on (or just at the coming of) the Sabbath. The importance of this for believers is explained in Hebrews 4 –

“Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. ² For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. ³ For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said:
“So I swore in My wrath,
‘They shall not enter My rest,’”
although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. ⁴ For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all His works”; ⁵ and again in this place: “They shall not enter My rest.”
⁶ Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience, ⁷ again He designates a certain day, saying in David, “Today,” after such a long time, as it has been said:
“Today, if you will hear His voice,
Do not harden your hearts.”
⁸ For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day. ⁹ There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. ¹⁰ For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.” Hebrews 4:1-10

Believers enter into Christ’s rest through faith in what He has done. As He is the Lord God, the typology would be appropriate.

Life application: The term “a Sabbath day’s journey” prescribes nothing. Remember the five principal rules of proper biblical interpretation – Descriptive, Prescriptive, Context, Context, Context. Luke is describing what occurred, and quite possibly on the day it occurred. Luke is neither arguing for either a Sabbath observance nor is he stipulating that one can only walk so far on a Sabbath Day.

Rather, he was (possibly) stating that the recorded event occurred on a Sabbath, and this is his way of noting that fact. Today in Israel people observe the Sabbath. It is a fact that prescribes nothing for those who know they do.

Several times later in Acts, it will be noted that Paul went into the synagogues and preached on the Sabbath. This does not mean that Paul is prescribing Sabbath observance. Instead, it is describing to us what Paul did because the Jews (who had not come to Christ and who were being evangelized by Paul) were, in fact, Sabbath observers.

This is a problem with the Hebrew Roots Movement, Judaizers, etc. They take such descriptive passages in the book of Acts, and they treat them as prescriptive. This leads to a faulty hermeneutic. Such a doctrine places believers back under the Law of Moses. As such, it is heresy.

Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes (see Romans 10:4). Don’t be misdirected by such people. Read Acts with the understanding that it is a historical recording of events. Nothing is prescribed by Luke’s inclusion of the words of Acts 1:12. Hold fast to Christ alone and you will be in the sweet spot.

Lord God, how good it is to know that Jesus fulfilled the law on our behalf. In knowing this, we have every reason to rejoice in Him and what He has done. We are freed from the impossible yoke placed upon Israel through His full, final, and forever satisfaction of the law. Thank you, O God, for Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Wednesday, 6 October 2021

who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” Acts 1:11

Note: You can listen to today’s verse and commentary, courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read today’s verse and commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern The Bible,” at this link on YouTube. (Click Here to listen)

In the previous verse, two men were noted as standing by the apostles when Christ ascended into heaven. With that said, Luke next reveals their words to the apostles, beginning with, “who also said.”

It is as if it took their speaking to the apostles for them to even be noticed. The apostles were so intently looking up that they failed to see the coming of these two men. In their address, they say, “Men of Galilee.”

Luke makes a point of documenting where they were from, here and again in Acts 2 –

“And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. ⁶ And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. ⁷ Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, ‘Look, are not all these who speak Galileans?’” Acts 2:5-7

He notes the same again in Acts 13 –

“He was seen for many days by those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are His witnesses to the people. ³² And we declare to you glad tidings—that promise which was made to the fathers.” Acts 13:31, 32

It appears that Luke is intentionally noting their origin to remind the reader of the prophecy of Isaiah 9 –

“Nevertheless the gloom will not be upon her who is distressed,
As when at first He lightly esteemed
The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,
And afterward more heavily oppressed her,
By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan,
In Galilee of the Gentiles.
² The people who walked in darkness
Have seen a great light;
Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death,
Upon them a light has shined.” Isaiah 9:1, 2

As such, Luke is making the implication that Jesus is, in fact, the fulfillment of this prophecy. It is Galilee where this great light shined, and those who were from there are now those commissioned with spreading this good news. It is to them that the two men with them now state, “why do you stand gazing up into heaven?”

Like the questions proposed to those at the empty tomb (see Luke 24:5) and later by the Lord (Luke 24:38), the words are intended to redirect the minds of the hearers. It is as if they are saying, “Don’t you understand? These things had to take place. It is all there, right in the Scriptures. Each thing that occurs is according to God’s set plan and purpose.”

Of the possible things that could have been on the minds of the apostles, Albert Barnes provides three valid suggestions –

————————–

(1) In the feeling of disappointment, as if he would not restore the kingdom to Israel.

(2) Possibly they were expecting that he would again soon appear, though he had often foretold them that he would ascend to heaven.

(3) There might have been an impropriety in their earnest desire for the mere bodily presence of the Lord Jesus when it was more important that he should be in heaven. We may see here also that it is our duty not to stand in idleness, and to gaze even toward heaven. We, as well as the apostles, have a great work to do, and we should actively engage in it without delay.

————————–

For these and/or for other reasons, their question is intended to get the apostles to think everything through in accord with the word. As such, they next state, “This same Jesus.”

The words are given to highlight the name, and thus the Person. “We have something to tell you that you should have already deduced, and it concerns this same Jesus whom you saw crucified, buried, and risen again. It is this same Jesus also that you just saw ascend… ‘who was taken up from you into heaven.’”

Again, one can only speculate on the exact intent, but it rightly seems to be, “You have seen this human being do things that no human being has ever done before. But more, you have seen that it was prophesied of before it occurred. The things that happened to Him were at the set times and by the appointment of God who said it would come about. The One you have been witnessing accomplish these things, and who has now ascended into heaven,… ‘will so come in like manner.’”

In other words, there are yet to be fulfilled prophesies. “To the word! Remember the word! It has all been spoken of before! And they will be fulfilled by THIS SAME JESUS!”

It seems this is the unstated intent of their words. They are proclaiming that Jesus is the fulfillment of not only everything that has occurred, but all that will occur as well. His departure is not the end of the thing, but a planned part of it. As such, they can now put things together.

Christ rose into heaven, and so He will come again from heaven. A cloud received Him out of their sight, and so He will come again on the cloud. He ascended from the Mount of Olives, and so He will return again to that spot. “You are asking about the kingdom being restored to Israel? Look at what Daniel and Zechariah have already said” –

“I was watching in the night visions,
And behold, One like the Son of Man,
Coming with the clouds of heaven!
He came to the Ancient of Days,
And they brought Him near before Him.
¹⁴ Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom,
That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion,
Which shall not pass away,
And His kingdom the one
Which shall not be destroyed.” Daniel 7:13, 14

“Behold, the day of the Lord is coming,
And your spoil will be divided in your midst.
² For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem;
The city shall be taken,
The houses rifled,
And the women ravished.
Half of the city shall go into captivity,
But the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city.
³ Then the Lord will go forth
And fight against those nations,
As He fights in the day of battle.
⁴ And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives,
Which faces Jerusalem on the east.
And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two,
From east to west,
Making a very large valley;
Half of the mountain shall move toward the north
And half of it toward the south.
⁵ Then you shall flee through My mountain valley,
For the mountain valley shall reach to Azal.
Yes, you shall flee
As you fled from the earthquake
In the days of Uzziah king of Judah.
Thus the Lord my God will come,
And all the saints with You.
⁶ It shall come to pass in that day
That there will be no light;
The lights will diminish.
⁷ It shall be one day
Which is known to the Lord—
Neither day nor night.
But at evening time it shall happen
That it will be light.
⁸ And in that day it shall be
That living waters shall flow from Jerusalem,
Half of them toward the eastern sea
And half of them toward the western sea;
In both summer and winter it shall occur.
⁹ And the Lord shall be King over all the earth.
In that day it shall be—
‘The Lord is one,’
And His name one.” Zechariah 14:1-9

This is what the two men are telling the apostles. This same Jesus who ascended out of their sight, who did not directly answer their question about a kingdom for Israel, didn’t have to give them an answer. The Scriptures have already given it. Jesus never said, “You have misunderstood the Scriptures.” Rather, the rebuke of these two men is that the apostles should have faith in the Scriptures. Just as He has ascended, so shall He come again, just “as you saw Him go into heaven.”

The words of Scripture have been written. They are faithful and reliable. God’s people simply need to study them, remember them, and have faith in them. Those who deny a literal millennial reign of Christ from Jerusalem have not done this. Epic fail.

The words have already been confirmed by Jesus Himself –

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. ³⁰ Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. ³¹ And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” Matthew 24:29-31 (see also Matthew 26:64 and Revelation 1:7).

Life application: If you cannot trust a literal reading of the Old Testament verses cited above, then there is no reason to trust anything else the Bible says. The two men standing on the Mount of Olives with the apostles not only confirm that Jesus will fulfill these verses, literally, but that He is also the Lord (Yehovah) of those same Scriptures.

Go back and read Zechariah 14:3, 4 cited above. It is as clear as the purest crystal that this is what they are indicating. Those who deny the deity of Jesus Christ will not be saved because they have called on a false Christ through a false gospel. Epic Fail. Don’t be an epic failure. Instead, believe the word, call out to God through Christ, and be reconciled to Him forever. God has done it all, and He has done it through JESUS!

Lord God, the wonder and marvel of Your word is beyond comprehension. We have a sure and great hope that can never be taken from us because Your word tells us of Jesus, Your coming in human flesh. Nothing can take away our joy, and our hope in Him is secure. Thank You for Your word that reveals these truths to us. Amen!

Tuesday, 5 October 2021

And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, Acts 1:10

Note: You can listen to today’s verse and commentary, courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen) 

You can also read today’s verse and commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern The Bible,” at this link on YouTube. (Click Here to listen)

The previous verse saw the Lord ascend in the sight of the apostles until He was received out of their sight. With that, Luke now says, “And while they looked steadfastly.”

The verb is a present participle, saying, “And as they were looking intently.” Luke is bringing his reader into what was going on at the time, revealing what was happening while they were watching the Lord ascend. It is the same verb, in the same tense, that was used by Luke in Luke 4:20 –

“And having folded the roll, having given it back to the officer, he sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue were gazing on him.” (YLT)

Those with Jesus were literally captivated by the sight before them. The Lord who they had seen crucified and dead, but who then was alive again, is now ascending before their very eyes. So incredible is the sight that their eyes are literally fixed on Him to the exclusion of everything else. They are focused on the Lord Jesus, but their eyes are “toward heaven.” The Greek reads, “into the heaven.”

It isn’t just that they saw Him walking higher up the Mount of Olives, ascending to a higher point so that He could preach to them. Rather, He is ascending – bodily – above them. It is in this incredible motion into heaven that they continued to gaze “as He went up.”

Here again, it is a present participle. It should say something like, “in His going,” or “while He was going.” They are intently gazing into heaven while He is ascending. The words of Luke are active and alive as he describes things as they were occurring. And there is a point to the structure which is revealed in the next words. It is while this was actively occurring that, “behold, two men stood by them.”

The verb now is pluperfect, indicative – “behold, two men were standing by them.” The obvious meaning of Luke’s words is that these guys didn’t just come with the apostles, but there was an appearance of them that occurred while Jesus was ascending. It is as if an exchange took place without their realizing it.

The speculation on whether these are men or angels goes on and on. Luke, being precise, states “two men.” There is no reason to go beyond that. The point is that they are now accompanied by these two who were obviously sent by the Lord.

The appearance of two men with the Lord is seen again and again in Scripture. Two men were with the Lord when He appeared to Abraham in Genesis 18:2. Two men were with Him when He was seen in Daniel 12:5. Two men (Moses and Elijah) were with the Lord on the Mount of Transfiguration. Two men were at the tomb after the Lord’s resurrection in Luke 24:4.

Such appearances give added weight that the same Lord (Yehovah) of the Old Testament is the risen Lord (Jesus) of the New. This appears to be the point of Luke’s meticulous description of what is happening. Of these two men, he then notes they were “in white apparel.”

The idea here is that of purity as well as righteousness (being free from sin). The metaphor is explained, for example, in Revelation –

“You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. ⁵ He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments.” Revelation 3:4

&

“I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed.” Revelation 3:18

Life application: Hints of the deity of Christ are found throughout the New Testament. Some are so obvious that it is inexcusable to deny the matter. And yet, the words of Scripture are twisted to do just this. Cults, such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses, go to great lengths to deny this fundamental truth.

Be careful to check what you hear, and to hold fast to what the word is conveying. Jesus Christ is the Lord God. Any doctrine or teacher that denies this is to be rejected –

“Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. ¹⁰ If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; ¹¹ for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.” 2 John 1:9-11

Lord God, what You have presented in Scripture leaves absolutely no doubt that Jesus Christ is God. You have entered into the stream of humanity in order to redeem us back to Yourself. Help us to carefully contemplate, and to never deny, this fundamental truth as it is revealed in Your word. To Your glory we pray. Amen.