Acts 1:6-11 Observations 6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” 1 “When they had come together” indicates that at one time, they were separated. 2 – 3 “They asked . . . will you . . . restore the kingdom” shows that they believed Jesus could restore the kingdom. This also shows that the kingdom had not yet been restored. 4 – 5 “It is not for you to know” means that the time in which it’ll be restored is not for them to know. Also, this means that it is the Father’s job to plan, and theirs to follow. 6 “. . . the Father has fixed” means that the Father has already planned when the restoration of the kingdom will be. 7 – 10 “you will be my witnesses” implies that they refers to the apostles. This also implies that Jesus actually needs them for the Father’s plan. Furthermore, this also implies that witness is their identity. Lastly, not just identity but the figurative eyes and ears of God’s plan. 11 – 14 “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come” means that the Holy Spirit has not come yet. This also means that with the Holy Spirit comes power. It is important to note that the Holy Spirit is being received; He is not being provoked. The Apostles were the passive recipients of the power. 15 – 17 “witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” indicates that this message will be preached throughout the world. This also implies that the world is not yet reached. Specifically, the reference to Jerusalem first indicates that they are first called to their homeland. 18 – 19 “He was lifted up” indicates that Christ physically ascended. This also means that Christ was the passive one in the act of ascension. 20 – 21 “as they were looking on” means that they were still watching Christ as He ascended. This also indicates that they were still in conversation with him as He ascended. 22 “a cloud took Him out of their sight” means that they were still watching as He was entering the cloud. This also means that it was a cloudy day 23 “This Jesus” indicates that, though already assumed, Jesus is the him in the narrative. 24 “behold, two men stood by them” indicates that they were not there before Christ started ascending. 25 – 27 “will come in the same way” implies that Jesus will come back in a cloud, just as He had left. This also means that it will be unexpected, just as the ascension was. Furthermore, this is a prophecy. 28 “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven?” is a question that the two men never answer; this means that it was a rhetorical question.