The thing I want to write to you today is this…a few days ago I was thinking about the commission Jesus gave to his disciples before he ascended into heaven.
The thing that struck me was, Jesus didn’t tell the disciples to go pray, although we are to pray…he didn’t tell them to run and hide…he didn’t say now that you’ve seen me you can go about your business as usual and he didn’t say, “Hi guys didn’t I tell you I’d be back?”
No. Jesus, even though he was upset with them for their lack of faith for not believing him when he told them he’d come back, and even though he rebuked them for their unbelief for not believing the others he sent to tell them he was alive. He loved them. Even Peter, who had denied him three times. He made special mention to tell Peter. He knew Peter’s heart, he knew all their hearts. He knows your heart too, and mine.
His command, before ascending, was to commission them.
Jesus, now ruler of all creation had finished what His father had sent him to do. Now he is commissioning his disciples, those he had spent three years with, training and leading and guiding, showing them the supernatural manifestations of God for the glory of God. He had prepared them for this specific duty at this specific time.
Jesus said…Go into all the world and PREACH the gospel (good news) to every creature…Mark 16:15
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Jesus told them that all who believed and were baptized would be saved but those who do not believe will be condemned. He told them that signs would follow those who believe. He said, “In my name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Mark 16:16-18
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Start right where you are…
I believe that speaking with new tongues in this reference Jesus is telling them that because some will go into foreign lands and not know the language that the Holy Ghost will give them the ability to speak the language even though they were never taught that particular language, so that they would understand and accept Jesus’ salvation message. I also do not think for one minute that we are to play with snakes. But like Paul, if a viper happens to bite you it will not kill you. Nor do I believe that we are to go and drink poison just to see if God will protect us, but, if by accident or on purpose because of evil intent, if we drink poison as a follower of Jesus on our commission, it will not hurt us. It is one of the supernatural manifestations of the commission. And as a sign to unbelievers we will lay hands on the sick and they will recover.
Then Jesus is taken up to heaven in a cloud and he sits down, a position of rest, to the right hand of the Father, now to rule.
Christ Ascends to God’s Right Hand
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So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen. Mark 16:19-20 NKJV
This is not a game…this is not make believe. This is the word of God. He is real…He is ruling and prays for us continually. He is coming again.
I dare you to read the Bible…I double-dare you to believe what it says…search it out for yourself…and let The Holy Ghost and Fire reveal Jesus to you.
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Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. Revelation 19:11-16 New King James Version (NKJV)
