When Was The Ascension Of Jesus

Ascension

The ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven, according to Christian theology, occurred on the 40th day following his Resurrection (Easterbeing reckoned as the first day). When it comes to the universality of its commemoration among Christians, the Feast of the Ascension stands with Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost. Because of this, the feast has been commemorated 40 days following Easter in both Eastern and Western Christian traditions since the 4th century. Prior to then, the Ascension was honored as part of the celebration of the descending of the Holy Spirit, which took place on the Feast of the Transfiguration.

To illustrate a new relationship between Jesus and his Father, as well as a new relationship between Jesus and his followers, the Gospel According to John draws on both the sayings of Jesus and his post-Resurrection appearances, rather than a mere physical move from earth to heaven.

The church year is divided as follows: Ascension The Ascension (from the Latin ascensio, “ascent”) of Christ into heaven was first remembered by the church, and then the Resurrection (from the Latin resurrection, “resurrection”).

Scripture and observances

When Jesus appeared to the Apostles on various occasions over a period of 40 days, according to the first chapter of The Acts of the Apostles, he was taken up in their presence and hidden from them by a cloud, which is a common biblical image symbolizing God’s presence and which is represented by a cloud in the Bible. Although belief in the Ascension may be found in other books of the New Testament, the focus and imagery used in those writings are much different. According to the Gospel of John, the glorification portrayed by the Ascension tale appears to have occurred immediately following the Resurrection.

The Ascension of Jesus is included in the Apostles’ Creed, which was a statement of faith used for baptism in the early church at the time of Jesus.

Despite the sense of separation implied in this act, which could be expected to establish a tone of melancholy, the entire liturgical season of Ascensiontide, from the 10 days before Pentecost, is marked by gladness as the rising Lord triumphs in the final victory over death and hell.

For want of a better phrase, Christ “was hoisted up into heaven so that he may make us heirs with him of his Godhead.” When the people of Europe were enthralled by the visual and theatrical arts during the Middle Ages, they found an expression in a variety of ceremonial acts that were connected with the feast.

There was a parade in imitation of Christ’s trip with his Apostles to theMount of Olives, and a crucifix or a figure of Jesus Christ was raised through a hole in the church ceiling, among other rituals.

Art

The Ascension is an ancient theme in Christian art, with depictions of it dating back to the 5th century. The earliest version of the Ascension, which persisted in the West until the 11th century, shows Christ from the side, climbing to the top of the hill and grasping the hand of God, which emerges from a cloud above to pull him into heaven. The Apostles, assembled below, watch the event. Another version of the Ascension was developed in Syria in the 6th century and was later adopted in Byzantine artwork.

  1. He holds a scroll and makes a gesture ofbenediction.
  2. Paul, who, on historical grounds, was not present.
  3. Peter, anallegoryof the church that Christ leaves behind.
  4. By the 11th century, the West had also adopted a frontal representation.
  5. He is usually in a mandorla but is not always supported or even surrounded by angels; thus, he is no longer carried to heaven but ascends by his own power.
  6. The Ascension remained important as a devotional subject in the art of theRenaissanceandBaroqueperiods, both of which retained theiconographyof Christ displaying his wounds.

What Jesus’s Ascension Does for Us

It’s possible that it’s the most significant doctrine you’ve never heard of. It’s written in the Bible. It’s spelled forth in the Apostles’ Creed. Furthermore, the church will celebrate this event today, May 30. I’m referring to Jesus’ ascension to the right hand of the Father (Luke 24:50–51; Acts 1:9–11). I’m not sure why we choose to ignore the ascension of Christ. It’s possible that the crucifixion and resurrection have cast a shadow over it. Perhaps we’re a little embarrassed by a narrative that makes Superman fly off into space sound so fantastical.

Here are four reasons why the ascension is significant.

1. The Ascension Explains Jesus’s Absence

If Jesus were no longer alive, there would be no need to explain his absence. (After all, none of us is perplexed as to why we haven’t met Peter, Paul, or Julius Caesar in our lives.) But he isn’t—and as a result, it does. We revere and adore a man we’ve never met before in our lives. And it isn’t only us Christians of the twenty-first century who are affected. It was also true of many first-century Christians, according to historical evidence. “Though you have not seen him, you adore him,” Peter wrote to the churches in Asia Minor in his first letter (1 Pet.

  1. This bittersweet fact is so clear that we tend to take it for granted, which is unfortunate.
  2. Jesus is more alive now than he was 2,000 years ago when he raised Lazarus from the dead.
  3. There’s only one reason why this isn’t possible: Because Jesus ascended into heaven 40 days after resurrecting from the dead.
  4. 5:6–9).

“He is not here; he has ascended,” the angels declared as they pointed to the empty tomb in Matthew 28:6. They might now point to the entire globe and declare, “He is not here; he has ascended.”

2. The Ascension Enthrones Jesus at the Father’s Right Hand

The ascension isn’t primarily about what Jesus was leaving behind, but rather about where he was going and why he was going. I’ve referred to it as “bittersweet,” and I’ve concentrated on the bitter aspect of the experience. The ascension, on the other hand, should be a beautiful memory for everybody who follows Jesus. The ascension symbolized Jesus’ return to his homeland. Returning to his Father’s side. The keys of Death were in his nail-scarred hand, and he was returning to the place where he had resided in magnificent love from all eternity (John 1:1, 18; 13:1; 17:5, 11, 13, 23)—but this time with the keys of Death in his nail-scarred hand (Rev.

  1. Consider the welcome celebration that would be held.
  2. Jesus’ ascension to the right side of the Father is constantly mentioned in the Scriptures (Ps.
  3. 1:20, 1 Peter 3:22, to name a few examples).
  4. “I.
  5. 3:21).
  6. What strategy did he use to win?
  7. This is shown in Revelation 5:5–6, where the Lion who has prevailed is depicted as a lamb who has been killed but is now standing up in victory.
  8. Rather, it was the ascension that placed Jesus in the position in which John saw him standing—in the presence of a throng of elders, living creatures, and saints who were all praising him and his Father (Rev.

This is the message of Psalm 110:1, which is the most often referenced passage from the Old Testament in the New Testament: According to my Lord, “The LORD says to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your adversaries your footstool.” The ascension is the means by which he arrived (Acts 2:33–34).

110:1).

3. The Ascension Allows Him to Continue His Priestly Work for Us

However, as Psalm 110 makes clear, Jesus’ ascension also has something to do with his priesthood (v. 4). When we think of Jesus’ priesthood, we automatically conjure up images of his laying down his life on the cross for us. And with good reason. The crucifixion is the most important thing (1 Corinthians 15:3–4). It was at this point that Jesus declared, “It is completed” (John 19:30). However, we must not interpret the phrase “It is completed” to imply that nothing further was required in order for us to be saved.

  1. No.
  2. It continues to this day in heaven, where Christ “appears in the face of God on our behalf,” according to the Bible (Heb.
  3. And the fact that he has made it there has everything to do with the sacrifice he made.
  4. and so secure an eternal redemption” (Heb.
  5. Take note of the following: Our permanent salvation was ensured not only by Jesus’ death on the cross, but also by his ascension into heaven, which was accomplished via his own blood.
  6. For this reason, the ascension is referred to by theologian Robert Peterson as “the major linchpin of Christ’s redeeming work”—because it marks the beginning of the shift from Jesus’ earthly ministry to his heavenly ministry.
  7. The fact that Jesus has gone into heaven and taken his place is regarded as evidence that his cross-work was fruitfully completed.
  8. Rather, it is a necessary extension of them in order for our redemption to be put into effect.
  9. 7:23–24 explains that Christ’s ability to “save to the uttermost” is not only due to his death on the cross, but also due to the fact that “he constantly lives to make intercession for us” in heaven.
  10. And every priest is at his disposal 24 hours a day, seven days a week, giving the same sacrifices over and over again, which can never atone for sins.
  11. It is for this reason that he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified by the giving of a single sacrifice.

(Hebrews 10:11–14; see also 1:4) We may “hold fast our confession” because we have a high king who has died on the cross, as well as a “high priest who has gone through the heavens” (Heb. 4:14).

4. The Ascension Serves as the Launching Pad for His Conquest and Return

There was no coincidence in Jesus’ ascent into paradise. He may have been sat, but he hasn’t been sitting about doing nothing. On the contrary, it was from the throne of God that Jesus started his final-days onslaught after smashing the head of Satan’s resistance on the cross of Calvary. It all started on Pentecost, when he poured out the Holy Spirit and began the process of releasing the nations from oppression. The ascension had many major aims, according to Jesus: “It is to your interest that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come.” “However, if I have to go, I will send him to you” (John 16:7).

  • This is the result of the Holy Spirit’s labor.
  • When Jesus was “exalted at the right hand of God,” he was able to pour out the Holy Spirit, which was only then (Acts 2:33).
  • His time will come, and the entire world will be alerted when he finally does.
  • 8:9–10; 2 Cor.
  • 4:6).
  • 28:20).
  • His time will come, and the entire world will be alerted when he finally does.

110:1, 5–6, Rev.

The ascension is not a place to rest; rather, it is a launching pad.

3:20; Acts 3:21).

4:16).

We’ll have to wait till then.

Don’t Waste the Ascension

Please do not sit down just yet, as our job is not yet completed. Instead of “squandering” the ascent, we should let it to complete its task perfectly. Even as we strive to be loyal on earth, let us foster a desire to “depart and be with Christ,” which is “much better,” even while we strive to be faithful in this life (Phil. 1:21–26). Jesus is king, so let us adore and bow down before him, acknowledging that the cosmos is not a democratic institution. So, knowing that Jesus is our high priest, let us come confidently before the throne of grace, certain that we have an Advocate who has walked our path and experienced our suffering (Heb.

4:14–16; 1 John 2:1). In addition, Jesus is returning; therefore, let us join the Spirit’s mission to make Jesus’ name known throughout the world. Moreover, if all of this appears to be somewhat heavenly in nature, that is understandable. That is exactly what the ascension does (Col. 3:1–4).

Possible Date for Christ’s Ascension

Christ’s ascension into heaven took place forty days after his resurrection from the dead. The following is how Luke characterized the situation: As a result, when they came together, they questioned Him, “Lord, would You return the kingdom to Israel at this time?” They were referring to the restoration of the kingdom to Israel in the Old Testament. And He told them, “It is not your responsibility to discern the times or seasons that the Father has established in His own power.” “However, when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will gain power, and you will be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and throughout Judea, and throughout Samaria, and to the ends of the world.” “After he had spoken these words, while they were looking on, He was carried up into a cloud and removed from their sight.” In the New King James Version, Acts 1:4-9 states that Given that Easter is celebrated on a different day each year, the Ascension is also celebrated on a different day each year.

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It always occurs on the forty-first day after Easter, and because Easter is always celebrated on a Sunday, Ascension Day always occurs on a Thursday, which is why it is also referred to as “Holy Thursday.” Every year on this day, May 14, when Easter falls on April 5th, Ascension Day falls on the following day, May 14.

  1. The celebration of Christ’s ascension is known as Ascension Day.
  2. He is the ruler and Lord of everything in heaven at this time.
  3. Jesus will return in the same manner in which he was taken up into the clouds.
  4. It will be exactly the same Jesus who was carried up from you into heaven who will return in the identical manner in which you witnessed Him ascend into heaven.” This is the wonderful hope that all Christians hold out for.
  5. According to Paul’s letter to the church in Thessalonica, those who have died will rise first, followed by those who are alive and will be snatched up to be with him in the air.
  6. Christians occasionally close their meetings with the words, “Come, Lord Jesus,” in order to express their faith in the coming of the Messiah.
  1. “Easter Sunday Dates.”
  2. Gibson, George M., “The Story of the Christian Year,” in The Story of the Christian Year. “Feast of the Ascension,” by John J. Wynne, published by Abingdon Press in Nashville in 1945. The Catholic Encyclopedia is a great resource. Robert Appleton & Company, New York, 1907.

THE ASCENSION OF OUR LORD

“However, when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will gain authority, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” And as soon as he finished speaking, he was taken up into the air and carried away by a cloud, out of sight of the audience members. And as they were looking up into the heavens as he passed by, two men in white robes appeared beside them and said, “Welcome.” “Why are you standing there, men of Galilee, staring into the heavens?

While speaking to Mary Magdalene in the Gospel of John, Jesus speaks to his Ascension, telling her, “Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; instead, go to my brothers and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father,” referring to his Father and God (John 20:17).

  1. As a result of this, the Lord informed them that they would be given authority by the Holy Spirit to bear his witness to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).
  2. As the Paschal Mystery of Christ, Christ’s work of salvation was completed primarily via his Passion, death, resurrection, and Glorious Ascension into Heaven, which are collectively known as the Sacraments.
  3. During the forty days following his Resurrection, Jesus Christ appeared to his followers on a number of occasions in a variety of settings.
  4. A week later, Jesus appeared to Thomas and the other disciples (John 20:26).
  5. Even after his ascension into Heaven, Christ Jesus appeared to his disciples at the same time and in the same place.
  6. On the route to Damascus, Saul was blinded by a dazzling light and told, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.” This was his conversion experience (Acts 9:3-5).
  7. The “Spirit of Jesus” redirected Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke on their second missionary journey towards Troas, where they boarded a ship for Macedonia, marking the first recorded introduction of Christianity into Europe.
  8. Crispus, the synagogue’s ruler, had been baptized by Paul, and the Lord told him that he should remain in Corinth (Acts 18:9).
  9. Paul was in Jerusalem when the Lord appeared to him and told him that he would be “bearing testimony” to Him in Rome (Acts 23:11).
  10. When Jesus ascended into heaven, it marked the end of his time on earth.

In the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, “when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, so where I am, you may also be” (John 14:2), we have reason to be hopeful (John 14:3).

What Really Happened in the Ascension of Jesus?

The ascension of Jesus represents Christ’s passage from earth to heaven following his life, ministry, death, and resurrection. It occurs after his death and resurrection. The ascension is described in the Bible as a passive event in which Jesus was “taken up” into heaven. God the Father raised the Lord to his right hand in heaven as a result of Jesus’ ascension to the right hand of the Father. Moreover, during his ascension, Jesus told his disciples that he would soon pour forth the Holy Spirit on them and inside them.

Question for Reflection

Jesus’ ascension into heaven made it possible for the Holy Spirit to come and indwell His disciples on earth. Realizing that God himself, in the form of the Holy Spirit, resides inside me as a believer is an awe-inspiring realization. Is it possible for me to take full use of this opportunity to learn more about Jesus and to live a life that pleases God?

Scripture References

The ascension ofJesus Christ into the heavens is recorded in the following scriptures:

  • 1 Timothy 3:16
  • Mark 16:19-20
  • Luke 24:36-53
  • Acts 1:6-12
  • 1 Timothy 3:16

The Ascension of Jesus Story Summary

Jesus Christ was crucified for the sins of mankind, died, and was raised from the grave as part of God’s plan of redemption. Following his resurrection, Christ appeared to his followers on a number of occasions. The Mount of Olives, just outside of Jerusalem, was the site of Jesus’ summoning of his eleven apostles forty days following his resurrection. The disciples, still not fully grasping the fact that Christ’s messianic mission had been spiritual rather than political in nature, inquired of Jesus whether he intended to restore the kingdom of Israel to its former glory.

Jesus responded by saying, “It is not for you to know the times or dates that the Father has established by his own authority.” However, when the Holy Spirit descends upon you, you will be anointed with authority, and you will go out throughout all of Judea and Samaria, as well as to the ends of the world, to bear testimony for me.

It is in the public domain.

While the disciples were staring up into the sky, two angels clad in white robes approached them and inquired as to why they were looking up into the heavens.

Points of Interest

  • The ascension of Jesus to the right hand of the Father is one of the basic teachings of Christianity. The Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed all affirm that Christ went into heaven and now sits at the right hand ofGod the Father
  • During Jesus’ ascension, a cloud veiled his appearance to those who witnessed it. Throughout the Bible, a cloud is frequently used to represent God’s power and glory, such as in the book of Exodus, where the Jews were guided through the desert by a pillar of cloud
  • The Old Testament records two other human ascensions in the lives ofEnoch(Genesis 5:24) andElijah(2 Kings 2:1–2)
  • And the ascension of Jesus allowed eyewitnesses to witness both the resurrected Christ on earth and the Jesus Christ’s ability to bridge the divide between the human and divine realms is demonstrated once more in this incident.

Life Lessons

Earlier, Jesus had promised his followers that the Holy Spirit would descend upon them and fill them with power once he ascended into heaven. They received the Holy Spirit in the form of tongues of fire on the Feast of Pentecost. Today, every believer who has been born again is indwelt by the Holy Spirit, who provides knowledge and strength for living the Christian life. The gift of languages is given to the apostles (Acts 2). It is in the public domain. Throughout his final commandment, Jesus instructed his disciples to be his witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the furthest reaches of the world.

  • Every Christian has a responsibility to share the good news of Jesus with those who have not yet heard it.
  • 7:25).
  • As a result of his adoption into the human race, he will eternally remain completely God and entirely man in his exalted condition.
  • Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is now and forever elevated above all creation, deserving of our adoration and allegiance (Philippians 2:9-11).

The angels foretold that Jesus would return in his glorified form, in the same manner in which he had gone. However, instead of sitting about waiting for Christ’s Second Coming, we should be actively engaged in the tasks Christ has entrusted to us.

Sources

  • The Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary (p. 439)
  • The Lexham Bible Dictionary
  • The Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (p. 123)
  • The Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary (p. 439)

What is the meaning and importance of the ascension of Jesus Christ?

Answer In the days following his resurrection from the dead, Jesus “presented Himself alive” (Acts 1:3) to the women who had gathered around the tomb (Matthew 28:9-10), to His disciples (Luke 24:36-43), and to a crowd of more than 500 people (1 Corinthians 15:6). During the days after His resurrection, Jesus instructed His followers about the nature of God’s kingdom (Acts 1:3). Jesus and His followers traveled to Mount Olivet, which is located near Jerusalem, forty days after the resurrection.

  • Jesus then blessed them and proceeded to climb into the heavens as soon as he finished blessing them.
  • The Scriptures make it clear that Jesus’ ascension was a genuine, physical return to the presence of the Father.
  • A cloud obscured Jesus from the disciples’ vision as they strained to catch a last sight of Him, then two angels arrived and vowed that Christ would return “in exactly the same way that you have watched Him leave” (Acts 1:11).
  • After sending His Son into the world at Bethlehem out of love, God the Father was bringing the Son back home to be with the Father.
  • 2) It represented the completion of His earthly mission.
  • The return of His celestial splendour was symbolized by this event.
  • 4) It represented His elevation to the right hand of the Father (Ephesians 1:20-23).
  • 5) It provided Him with the opportunity to provide a place for us (John 14:2).
  • 7) It established a precedent for His return.
  • At the moment, the Lord Jesus is in the presence of the Father.

God the Father is the Head of the Church (Colossians 1:18), the provider of spiritual gifts (Ephesians 4:7-8), and the One who fills everything in everything (Colossians 1:26-27). (Ephesians 4:9-10).

What happened on Ascension Day and how is it celebrated?

On Thursday, May 10, Christians all across the world will come together to commemorate Ascension Day. However, what happened on Ascension Day and how is it honored are two questions that need to be answered. Ascension Day is historically observed on the 40th day after Easter Sunday, and it honors Jesus Christ’s ascension into heaven, according to Christian doctrine, which occurred on the third day after Easter Sunday. Jesus and his followers traveled to Mount Olivet (also known as the Mount of Olives), which is located near Jerusalem, 40 days after the resurrection.

  • In 1886, a chromolithograph was released for public use.
  • As he blessed them, he began his ascension into heaven, where he would take his place at the right side of the Father.
  • Processions will be held to honor the Ascension of Pope Francis.
  • A three-day procession to petition for God’s compassion precedes the feast, which includes a parade of torches and banners symbolizing Christ’s trek up the Mount of Olives and admission into heaven, as well as an all-night vigil, according to Catholic tradition.
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Ascension Day of Jesus Christ 2022, 2023 and 2024

Every year on Thursday, Christians commemorate Jesus Christ’s entry into heaven as reported in the Bible. Ascension Day is observed by Christians across the world on the day when Jesus Christ was exalted into heaven for the first time. Throughout Indonesia, today is observed as a public holiday.

Year Date Day Holiday
2022 26 May Thu Ascension Day of Jesus Christ
2023 18 May Thu Ascension Day of Jesus Christ
2024 9 May Thu Ascension Day of Jesus Christ
Please scroll down to end of page for previous years’ dates.

Despite the fact that 90 percent of Indonesia’s population is Muslim, Ascension Day is a huge holiday, and Indonesians who are not Christian typically take advantage of the opportunity to unwind on this day. In Indonesia, the customs of Ascension Day are observed by both Protestants and Catholics, and both are equally important. The 40th day of Easter is a significant Christian celebration. On the 39th day following Easter Sunday, we commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. According to the New Testament of the Holy Bible, Jesus Christ experienced five key life milestones during his time on earth.

  1. According to the Bible, after Jesus Christ was crucified by the Romans, he was raised to life and ascended into heaven.
  2. As a result of this, Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven in the presence of eleven of his apostles, who saw the event.
  3. The extent of Ascension Day festivities in each Indonesian city is determined by the number of Christian communities in the surrounding area.
  4. Attending a Christian church service is one of the most prevalent methods for people in Indonesia to commemorate the Ascension of Jesus Christ on the Day of His Ascension.
  5. Services on Ascension Day are often upbeat and inspiring in nature.

Some of the most common themes of debate are the Apostle’s Creed and numerous passages from the Bible. In the Bible, the readings on Ascension Day are frequently drawn from the books of Luke and Ephesians, respectively.

Previous Years

Year Date Day Holiday
2021 13 May Thu Ascension Day of Jesus Christ
2020 21 May Thu Ascension Day of Jesus Christ
22 May Fri Ascension Day of Jesus Christ Holiday
2019 30 May Thu Ascension Day of Jesus Christ
2018 10 May Thu Ascension Day of Jesus Christ
2017 25 May Thu Ascension Day of Jesus Christ

Where did Jesus’ ascension into Heaven take place?

All of the significant events in Jesus’ life took place in specific locations around the Holy Land. Many of the events can be traced back to their actual location, while others are only known via oral traditions passed down from generation to generation. Regarding Jesus’ ascension into Heaven, the Bible makes specific reference to the mountain on which he was seen by his disciples at the time of the miraculous occurrence. In the Acts of the Apostles, St. Luke recounts how Jesus’ followers got together and asked him a question about the kingdom of God.

“They returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem and a sabbath day’s travel away,” according to St.

This is the same “Mount of Olives” that Jesus went through his “agony in the garden” before being captured and brought into captivity, according to tradition.

According to The Golden Legend, a medieval text that covers a variety of tales, the mountain was endowed with significant significance that was worth exploring.

This mountain was also known as the Mount of Three Lights, according to another translation, because it received light from the Temple by night because a fire burned continuously on the altar; in the morning, it caught the sun’s rays from the east before they reached the city; and the hill’s olive trees produced a plentiful supply of oil, which was used to fuel the Temple’s lights.

Sulpicius, the bishop of Jerusalem, and the Gloss both claim that when a church was built on the site where Christ had stood later on, the spot where Christ had stood could never be covered with pavement; more than that, the marble slabs that were placed there burst upwards into the faces of those who were laying them.

Regardless of whether or not this last narrative is true, it serves to emphasize the fact that Jesus was actually present on earth and that his presence continues to be with us even after his ascension.

(John 14:18). More information may be found at: The name of the stand that is used in Eucharistic adoration serves to remind us of what is taking place. Continue reading:How to read the Bible when you’re not sure where to begin

How Did Jesus Leave the Earth? (The Ascension)

The ascension of Christ into heaven was one of the most momentous occasions in the life of Jesus Christ. According to the Bible, Jesus ascended into heaven both visually and physically forty days after His resurrection, according to the Bible. Luke Luke was the only New Testament author to recount the event of the ascension. He was separated from them and lifted up into the heavens as he was extending his blessings to them. In return, they returned to Jerusalem with great excitement, and they spent the rest of their time in the temple praying to God and praising and blessing him.

Luke describes Jesus’ separation from them in a way that suggests they are already familiar with the tale of Jesus’ ascension to the Father.

After giving commands to the apostles whom he had selected via the Holy Spirit, I gave you a previous account of everything Jesus began to do and teach until the day in which he was taken up, which I gave you in the previous account, O Theophilus (Acts 1:1, 2).

The Bible confirms that Jesus ascended into heaven in plain view of His followers, as recorded in the Gospels.

Meanwhile, while they continued to stare upward as he rose, two men in white clothing appeared beside them and inquired of them, saying, ‘Men of Galilee, why are you standing here looking up into the heavens?’ This same Jesus, who was carried away from you into heaven, will return in the same manner in which you witnessed him ascend into heaven’ (Acts 1:9-11).

  1. Stephen was the first Christian to be executed because of his faith in Jesus Christ.
  2. However, because he was filled with the Holy Spirit, he looked up into the skies and saw the glory of God, as well as Jesus standing on the right hand of God, and exclaimed, ‘Look!
  3. This proved that Jesus had risen to heaven and had remained there.
  4. You will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Father’s throne and ascending on the clouds of heaven in the days to come (Matthew 26:64) Mark Although the lengthy conclusion to Mark’s gospel may not be entirely original, it does represent an ancient belief.
  5. When the Lord Jesus finished speaking to them, he was taken up into heaven and seated at the right hand of God, where he continues to sit today (Mark 16:19).

‘Stop clinging to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; instead, go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I climb to my Father and your Father, and my God and your God,’ Jesus replied to her.” (See also John 20:17.) In addition, Christ predicts His ascension in the Gospel of John, asking, “What if you should view the Son of Man rising where he was previously?” ” (John 6:62).

1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 1 “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness,” says the ancient Christian confession of First Timothy 3:16, which includes the phrase “He who was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory” (1 Timothy 3:16).

The verb “taken up” is the same as the verb “taken up” that appears in Acts 1:2.

It is also true that he who descended is also the one who soared far beyond all the heavens, in order to fill all things with himself (Ephesians 4:10).

In Christ, which he accomplished by raising him from the grave and putting him at his right hand in the celestial realms (Ephesians 1:20) Without some type of ascension, this exaltation would not have been possible, and the one recounted by Luke appears to be the one that was comprehended by the disciples.

  • The ascension, according to Luke, was completed theologically, as Paul describes in his letter.
  • He is speaking about Jesus Christ, who is at the right hand of God, having ascended into heaven after having subdued angels, authorities, and powers to his will and authority (1 Peter 3:22).
  • Hebrews The writer to the Hebrews has a clear understanding of what Christ’s ascension has achieved for the world.
  • Furthermore, in Hebrews 7:26, our high priest is praised for having been elevated above the sky, a reference to his position of authority.
  • Beginning with the factual tale of Jesus’ ascension into heaven from the Mount of Olives, there is a spiritual dimension to the story.
  • As a bonus, the other two gospel writers make allusions to Jesus’ ascension as well.

As a result, the ascension of Jesus is mentioned in a number of distinct places in the New Testament, including the Gospels. The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 1982), is a translation of the Bible.

Why Does the Ascension of Jesus Matter?

Written byShara Drimalla for the BibleProject Team 2 months have passed since The account of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection receives a great deal of well-deserved attention, but there is another essential and intriguing episode in the narrative that we frequently forget about. Immediately after his resurrection, we’re informed that Jesus is “taken up” (Greek, eprtha) into the sky and disappears behind the clouds, which is how the book of Acts opens (Acts 1:9). Here’s what’s going on in the background.

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When they asked him about the timing, He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or epochs that the Father has fixed by His own authority; but when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power, and you will be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and throughout Judea and Samaria, and even to the farthest reaches of the earth.” And after He had spoken these things, He was raised up while they were gazing on, and He was taken away by a cloud and out of sight.

And while they were staring closely into the sky as He was leaving, two men in white garments appeared near them and stood there.

It will be in the same way that you have witnessed Him ascend into heaven that this Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will return.” The concept that Jesus “ascended” into Heaven, which is commonly referred to as the ascension, has been significant to followers of Jesus for about two thousand years (e.g.

The phrase “Jesus climbed into Heaven” means something different.

Is the meaning of the ascension just that Jesus ascended into the heavens, or is there anything else at stake?

We must take a step back and begin with the major biblical conceptions of Heaven and Earth—space God’s and human space—in order to address these issues and properly grasp Jesus’ spectacular ascension.

God’s Space and Humanity’s Space

When God created the heavens and the earth, it was the beginning of time. God speaks order into chaos at the beginning of the biblical account, therefore creating the heavens and the earth. But what exactly do the terms “heavens” and “earth” mean? The term “heavens” (Hebrew, shamayim) literally translates as “the sky” in the Hebrew language. While we commonly use the word “earth” to describe to the entire planet or globe in contemporary English, the Hebrew root word,ehrets, simply means “land.” As a result, the heavens and the earth are essentially the sky and the land, but there is more to it than that.

  1. The important thing to remember about this is that both locations were included in the natural, created universe.
  2. When ancient Hebrew writers speak of geographic places and spatial connections in the physical world, they frequently utilize these physical descriptions to depict a higher, transcendent reality that they believe exists beyond the physical world.
  3. And since God is transcendent, or above all, his space is defined figuratively as being above, or above, or in the heavens, as well as being in the heavens themselves.
  4. It is God’s goal for Heaven and Earth—for God’s space and for humanity’s space—that they will be totally merged as one entity.

Recognizing this allows us to have a greater understanding of not only the Garden and Temple, but also what it means to claim that Jesus “ascended” into heaven.

The Garden Temple and Ascension

God’s fingerprints may be found throughout creation. Moreover, God constructs another temple in the midst of this cosmic habitation, which is the garden indicated above, which is known as Eden. The first blog in The Royal Priest series was titled “Were Adam and Eve Priests in Eden?” for additional information on this topic. It is revealed in Genesis 3:24 that the garden of Eden’s entrance faced east, and it is revealed in Ezekiel that it was situated on a mountain (Ezek. 28:14,16). Consider the biblical authors’ use of geography to show a transcending reality in order to convey a message of hope.

  1. It’s perched above a mountain.
  2. Adam and Eve were figuratively ascending or descending this cosmic mountain temple in order to be in God’s presence, just as God’s royal priests had done before them.
  3. When Adam and Eve reach the summit of the mountain, they are entirely linked with God and integrated with his will, and they receive God’s creative word as well as his wonderful life.
  4. It is important to note that their ascension does not remove them from God’s physical creation, and that their “going down” to the rest of the world does not remove them from God’s divine realm.
  5. And, if that’s the case, how may it affect our understanding of Jesus’ ascension?

The Priests and Ascension

When we read the story of the Exodus, we see God ordering Moses and his fellow leaders to “come up” to a mountain, where they would partake of a meal in God’s presence, and then be given instructions for the Israelites (Exod. 24). Moses and the elders of Israel climb into the cloud of heavenly glory, where they will meet with God face to face. We perceive human and divine in a mystical oneness at this area, where the author depicts God as sitting on a glittering, “blue as the sky,” clean, stone floor (Exod.

God’s space and humanity’s space are interwoven as one.

The priest enters into God’s presence in order to shepherd others in the same route, all the way to the throne of grace.

Moses’ priestly ascent is a reenactment of the Eden ideal, which depicts mankind as reclining in God’s presence on a cosmic mountain temple, as seen in Genesis.

The Day of Atonement

Another priestly example may be found in the book of Leviticus, which addresses the method in which God permits Israel to grow up to completely dwell in his presence via the priestly service of the people. The Day of Atonement is described in detail in Leviticus 16-17, which is the heart of the book of Leviticus (Yom Kippur). When the high priest came to offer a specific, yearly sacrifice on this day, he would be covering the sins of the whole community of Israel, and most significantly, he would be providing a means for people to live in God’s presence.

It’s interesting to note that the Day of Atonement is the only day of the year on which the high priest would symbolically climb to God’s presence in the temple.

24:5-8), and the high priest offered a sacrifice before ascending to heaven as well (Exod (Lev.

In addition, like Moses, the high priest is the only one who is permitted to enter into the presence of God in order to speak and pray to God on behalf of the people.

In this way, we see the earliest humans, Adam and Eve, and later Moses, and the priests, all participating in this type of climbing into the presence of God, as well as the rest of humanity. What about the typical Israeli? What is their situation?

The People and Ascension

Soon after becoming king, David travels up into the high hills in the middle of Israel’s tribes and creates a capital city, Jerusalem, which is also known as Zion or the City of David, to serve as Israel’s administrative center (2 Sam. 6). The temple will be built here, and it will be styled after the Garden of Eden, with images of gold and flowers adorning the walls, with each picture leading back to the Edenic mountain garden temple (1 Kgs. 8:29-32). As a result, the temple serves as a model for the new Heaven and Earth, which will be infused with God’s presence and where mankind will once again live in connection with his way of life and his desire for all of creation.

The temple was dedicated in the year 70 CE (Gen.

Notice how, whenever the Israelites travel to Jerusalem for festivals, or when they are going to sacrifice in the temple, or when they are going to worship, the biblical authors always write that they are “going up” (or ascending) to Jerusalem, regardless of whether they are going to sacrifice or worship (e.g.

12:27; Ps.

4:2; Isa.

Regardless of whether or whether the people were truly ascending in elevation or traveling north, the biblical authors utilize the geographic concept of ascending to describe their journey.

The Great High Priest

After reading the New Testament, we learn about Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem, where he is placed on trial (Mark 10:33). After being sentenced to death, Jesus ascends to Golgotha, where he is nailed on a cross and hangs there until his death (John 3:14, 8:28, 12:32, 19:17; Matt. 27:33; Mark 15:22). Furthermore, Jesus is risen from the dead three days after he died (Luke 24:7). With all of this flamboyant rhetoric, the biblical authors are trying to communicate something. Luke narrates an event in the book of Acts in which Jesus is “lifted up” and “received by a cloud,” which we may read about here.

As an alternative, he is purposely employing geographic and spatial-relationship language of ascending in order to communicate transcendent meaning.

It’s important to remember that both Moses and the high priests made major sacrifices prior to ascending into the presence of the Most High God.

7:27, 10:12), Jesus, the royal priest, was exalted into the heavenly realm.

He was then exalted into the heavenly realm. In the same way as Adam and Eve, Moses, the priests, and even the Israelites ascended to the temple, Jesus ascended to the heavens, uniting the divine and human realms in a magnificent, eternal integration of two worlds.

Jesus the Royal Priest

The resurrected person As a bodily human being (with scars from his crucifixion, as shown in John 20:27), Jesus is also the firstborn of a new creation, having come to life following the resurrection of Lazarus (1 Cor. 15:20-57). If we follow his example, he promises that we shall continue to be physical human beings like him while completely sharing in the divine nature of things (see 2 Peter 1:4). Jesus now resides forever in both God’s and humanity’s realm at the same time, having risen up as he did, and as we shall do in the future.

However, Jesus is able to completely experience it because he has chosen to follow God’s will from the beginning to the finish.

Jesus is the new humanity to which we are welcomed and called to transform ourselves into.

On Earth as in Heaven

Followers of Jesus are now considered to be “in Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:17), and they have the option of choosing whether or not to ascend with him. However, as we have shown, this very likely does not imply that we will float out into space when we die one day. The alternative is that we join God’s divine task of spreading his word and life here on Earth by incorporating our human lives into it. It is about declaring that “your will, not mine,” be done on Earth (the space occupied by humans) as it is in Heaven (the space occupied by God) (Matt.

In Jesus, all authority in Heaven and on Earth is delegated, and he has dispatched his apostles to proclaim that his indestructible, wonderful life is available to everyone right now, in the present (Matt.

This powerful, continuous existence entails learning to know the God of love in the most intimate manner possible—so that our imaginations and passions might be transformed as we are liberated to love God and love our neighbor in the most radical way possible (Mark 12:30-31).

Believers in Jesus, as members of the royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9) and as temples filled with the Holy Spirit (1 Cor.

The Bible tells us that as we develop and share our lives with others, continuing to love in ways that combine even more of Heaven and Earth (for example, Ephesians 2:19-22; 1 Peter 2:4-5), we can have confidence that God will raise us up into the new creation, the new Heaven and Earth.

21-22). This is the sixth installment of the “The Royal Priest” blog series, which is linked to the “The Royal Priest” video series.

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