Excerpt from Acts 1: 6-14

They said, "Men [and women] of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven?"

Reflection by Felix Carrion

What is all the fuss about the "end times"? More specifically, why are there predictions about the rapture of the church, or those who are truly saved, which will mark the beginning of the end? A simple but careful reading of scripture clearly reveals that no one knows this date.

At the time of the writing of the book of Acts, it was all about when Jesus would return: Jesus appeared once on earth and now people waited for his second appearance.  They wanted to ascend to heaven like he did. They didn't want to be here much longer. It will happen any day, they felt. In fact, the outpouring of the Spirit on them was the sign that Jesus would soon return for them.  He wouldn't leave them here to deal with this mess. The hope for this final salvation, this final release, this final escape was so strong that their gaze, whether literally or theologically, was fixed: why do you stand there looking up to heaven?

This misplaced preoccupation had to be corrected. And so the book of Acts (all of it) is about a new- found power of the Spirit for living in a new-found age. You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses. Why would we be given this power if not for a purpose that needs to be accomplished here on earth, not in heaven? Heaven is doing just fine. Earth needs this power; earth needs your witness, not heaven. So, get on with it, without any thought of final days and final predictions and final hopes and final plans—and you will see the kinds of things that will be wrought through you as a community of believers in the life and message of Jesus for all of humanity.

Today is within your reach. Unfurl it in the power of the Spirit. Watch for what God will do through you.

Prayer

O God, grant me this: that I may come to know the power of the Holy Spirit in me and live each day with its fullness in my life, in my actions and in my words. Grant me this today, O God! Amen.

About the Author Felix Carrion is Coordinator of The Stillspeaking Ministry, United Church of Christ.

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