A common theme of the Bible is “Seeing Jesus.” While it is easy for us to assume we are seeing Jesus in the Gospels, he is also seen in the other books as well. Seeing Jesus became the foundation for the disciples’ faith as well as their hope for the future. In Acts 1:8-11, we see both of these aspects of seeing Jesus tied together. Acts 1:8 promises that they will be effective witnesses throughout the world through the power of the Holy Spirit. At that time, Jesus was taken up from them into a cloud and out of their sight. In verse 11, two angelic messengers promised that He would come back just as He had departed (Baker, Understanding the Book of Acts, pp.16-17).
The rest of the book of Acts tells in part how the Holy Spirit accomplished the task of making those disciples effective witnesses of the gospel. Even Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles and revealer of the mystery, clearly bases his preaching on the resurrected Christ. In Acts 13:30-31, his thoughts are based on the eyewitness testimony of the original disciples, as Paul later describes in 1 Corinthians 15:1-10 (Baker, pp. 81-82). Through this message, Paul and Barnabas persuaded new believers to continue in the grace of God (Acts 13:38-39, 42). Based on the truth of these events told by the eyewitnesses, we also have come to faith in Christ.
Of course, not all believe but they will also see. Revelation 1:7 tells us that the promise of His return in Acts 1:11 will be seen by all, even by those who crucified Him. In their case, as for all the unsaved, the Son of Man will come in the clouds as Judge (Revelation 14:14-16). Any serious study of the Revelation reveals an awe inspiring picture of the judgment of God through Christ.
We believers will see Him differently when He returns. Our hope will be fulfilled when they see Christ. It is this hope that helps us to continue inviting others to “see Jesus.”
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