Reigning and Returning
Scripture Reading — Acts 1:1-11
"This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back ..." Acts 1:11
When Jesus went up in the air and disappeared behind a cloud, his followers kept gazing upward, wondering what had happened. They soon got the answer: Jesus had gone into heaven. Heaven isn't just a nicer planet in a distant galaxy. Heaven is the realm of the eternal, the place of direct, unclouded contact with the Father. Jesus entered heaven in his glorified body and will remain there till he comes again and brings heaven to earth.
By ascending to heaven, Jesus took charge of all things. Shortly before he left earth, he said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me" (Matthew 28:18). God "seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet" (Ephesians 1:20-22).
All things! Every moment you live, every relationship you have, every decision you make, every dollar you spend, every subject you study, every job you do, every game you play belongs under the rule of Christ. Over every square inch of your life Jesus says, "Mine!" Jesus reigns on the throne of heaven. Do you honor him on the throne of your life? If so, you can enjoy his riches now and gladly welcome him when he returns.
King Jesus, all authority is yours! Reign over all things, and reign over me. Thank you that you are preparing a heavenly home for us. Come quickly, Lord. In your name, Amen.
About the author — David Feddes
Dr. David Feddes is pastor of Family of Faith Church and provost of Christian Leaders Institute, which supports mentor-based ministry training through online courses. David is also adjunct missiologist for Crossroad Bible Institute, which provides biblical distance education to more than 40,000 people in prison. Previously he served as broadcast minister for the Back to God radio program, reaching people in more than fifty countries. David earned his Ph.D. in intercultural studies from Trinity International University, Deerfield, IL. He and his wife, Wendy, have nine children (one in heaven).
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