In Acts 1, the disciples watch Jesus ascend to Heaven. While they are standing there watching the spot where he disappeared, two men in white appear beside them and say, "Men of Galilee ... why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." (vs 11)

To me, the answer to that question seems rather obvious for two reasons. First, they just observed something they had never before seen. They are in a bit of shock. But second, the question implies the answer, doesn't it? If Jesus is coming back in the same way they saw him leave, shouldn't they be watching for his return? Here is where it gets tricky, because it depends on what you mean by "watching".

Jesus did tell a parable about the virgins waiting for the bridegroom, but even there, being ready wasn't so much about watching out the window as it was keeping their lamps ready. Watching for Jesus return doesn't have nearly as much to do with understanding Bible prophecy as it does getting on with the task he left us here to do.

The fact that Jesus was going to come back meant that the disciples should be heading to Jerusalem to wait for the Holy Spirit so that they could get on with the task of being witnesses to the ends of the earth. In Matthew 24, Jesus speaks to his disciples about the end times. In verse 46 he says of the master's servants, "It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so (i.e. carrying out his duties) when he returns." Watching for our savior's return is not about watching the sky; it's not about understanding the nuances of the end times. It is about faithfully fulfilling the duties and responsibilities he left us. May he find us faithfully at work when he returns, not hunkered safely in our church buildings watching the sky.