What did Jesus tell the Twelve on the Mount of Olives about leaving and returning?
Jesus told the Twelve on the Mount of Olives that He was going back to heaven, but He promised, “I’m coming back.” The angel also announced it. This followed His first coming, Israel’s rejection, the crucifixion, and His resurrection return to glory.
Les explains that the pattern is like MacArthur leaving the Philippines and saying, “I will come back,” and that is exactly what Jesus told the Twelve on the Mount of Olives. He was returning to heaven, but He said He is coming back. The angel announced it too. Israel had been promised a king and kingdom; they rejected Him at His first coming and crucified Him, and He went back to glory in resurrection power, but God did not forget Israel. Les then points to Hosea 6:1, where Israel is told, “Come, let us return unto the Lord, for He hath torn, and He will heal us; He hath smitten, He will bind us up,” showing chastisement followed by restoration.