Revival/Reformation (4)
Reformation Reports
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1. The Continual Coming of Jesus (7)
The Continual Coming of Jesus (7)
By Lanny Swaim
And when he [Jesus] had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven: 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.
Acts 1:9-11
And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
Luke 21:27
My little children, for whom I am again in [the pains of] labor until Christ is [completely and permanently] formed within you.
Galatians 4:19 AMP
In our last teaching we looked at The Mount of Olives being split in half, determining that occurrence to be a historical event rather than a future event.
In this teaching we will focus on the cloud of Acts 1:9-11 and Luke 21:27.
In both these scripture references, the Greek word for cloud is nephele, which literally means a water vapor cloud, unlike the cloud spoken of in Hebrews 12:1. The Greek word there is nephos, indicating a metaphoric use of the word, cloud; a great cloud of witnesses.
However, there is the possibility and indication that even though the word for cloud in Acts 1:9 and Luke 21:27 was literally a water vapor cloud, it may have been used metaphorically there as well. I believe this is confirmed by the fact that several other places in the Bible use water vapor clouds metaphorically.
If that is in fact the case, at Jesus’ ascension He was received by the great cloud of witnesses spoken of in Hebrews 12:1, and His return will be in a great cloud of witnesses.
I believe this to be the case. And I believe this is what the apostle Paul had in mind when he spoke of Jesus being fully/completely and permanently formed in believers.
We all know that Jesus took up residence in us when we were initially born again. But Paul indicates there is a process of Jesus being fully formed in us; fully indwelling us with the fulness of His character and power.
This is how Jesus will return to rule the world as King of kings and Lord of lords. Think about what the terms King of kings and Lord of lords actually mean. These terms indicate that He will rule in and through a people He has completely indwelled with His character and power.
This is part of the continual coming of Jesus.
There is no second coming of Jesus. Only a continual coming.
Many, perhaps most believers are missing His coming today just as most of the Jews missed His coming as the Son of Man when He was born in Bethlehem.
But, glory to God, there is a remnant who is beginning to see and walk in the reality of His continual coming.
Surely we were born for such a time as this!