“Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.” — Acts 1:11

It leaves you watching and waiting in anticipation.

How many times has this happened to you?

You’re watching a program on television and — for a change — it’s interesting. You get wrapped up in the show and find yourself wondering how the end will turn out.

And, all of a sudden, three words appear on your television screen…

…to be continued.

And, then, a preview of what is to come is revealed to you — either for tomorrow night’s show or next week’s show. You get a glimpse of what’s up ahead and it excites you even more.

Are you gonna stay tuned? You betcha!

Until that next show appears you wait in anticipation. You can hardly wait until the time arrives when you can flip on the ‘ol television and watch the “to be continued” play out before your eyes.

My, my, my — did Jesus ever give us a “to be continued”! No, it wasn’t a second part of a television mini-series or a weekly drama…

…it was the promise that He’d be back to get us and take us home to heaven!

I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait for that “to be continued” to play out before my eyes!

You see, Jesus left the disciples gazing up into the sky. But, He left them with a promise…

…”I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, ye may be also.” (John 14:2a, 3)

And He even gave us a preview of what is to come. He left us His Holy Word — the Bible — to share with us a glimpse of what’s up ahead.

And it excites me even more! How about you?

Are you gonna stay tuned? You betcha!

Christian, I want you to take a look at your life right now. Look at the hardships and difficulties, even the successes and victories. Look at your career and your family and your possessions. Look at everything that’s a part of your life.

And remember this: it’s all going to pass away some day. But, praise God — this world isn’t the end. It’s only the beginning. Jesus is coming back to get us because there is so much more awaiting in heaven for those that know Him.

There is so much more…

…to be continued.

Stay the course…and stay tuned!

Jimmy D. Brown beacon@arkansas.net