Acts 1:11

Men of Galilee. Literally, “men, Galileans.” All of the disciples, except perhaps Judas (see on Mark 3:19), were natives of Galilee and were distinguished for their Galilean speech (cf. Matt. 26:73; see on Acts 4:13). But the angels knew these men without reference to their speech, even as they knew other men’s lives (cf. ch. 10:3-6).

Why stand ye gazing? The rapt disciples seemed unable to take their gaze from the spot where their beloved Master had disappeared from view. The two angels break the spell with a question: The ascended One is God the Son; He has told you His plans, He will come again — “why stand ye gazing?” He has given you work to do in preparation for His return. Compare the question of the angel at the resurrection, “Why seek ye the living among the dead?” (Luke 24:5). There is a sense in which Christians should ever be gazing into heaven (see Phil. 3:20).

This same Jesus. The Jesus whom the disciples had intimately known during the previous three and one-half years. Although He had risen from the dead and ascended to heaven, as the Son of God, He still retained His human nature (see DA 23-25).

Shall so come. The second coming of Christ is indissolubly bound up with the resurrection and ascension as a promised event tied to historical incidents. Scripture reveals (1) Christ the Creator (Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:2; see on John 1:1-3); (2) Christ the Incarnate (Phil. 2:7; Heb. 2:14, 15; see on John 1:14); (3) Christ the Crucified (Acts 17:3; 1 Cor. 15:3, 4; see on Matt. 27:31-56; John 19:17-37); (4) Christ the Risen One (Rom. 1:3, 4; 1 Cor. 15:3-22; see on Matt. 28:1-15; John 20:1-18); (5) Christ the Coming King (Matt. 24:30; Rev. 11:15; 19:11-16; see on Matt. 25:31). These revelations, no one of which we dare omit, constitute a unified presentation of the Son of God in successive and related phases of His great work of saving men for His kingdom. In all these phases He is “this same Jesus.” “the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (Heb. 13:8).

In like manner. By this promise, His return must be (1) personal — “this same Jesus” (see DA 832); (2) visible — “ye have seen him go”; (3) with clouds — “a cloud received him”; (4) certain — “shall so come.” This quiet but solemn pledge of the angelic counselors brings to the doctrine of the second coming of Christ an utter certainty, assured by the reality of the ascension. It is all true, event and promise, or none of it is true. Without the second advent, all the preceding work in the plan of salvation would be as vain as the sowing and cultivation of crops without a harvest.