Reference: ASCENSION OF CHRIST
Watsons
ASCENSION OF CHRIST, his visible elevation to heaven. Our Saviour, having repeatedly conversed with his Apostles after his resurrection, and afforded them many infallible proofs of its reality, led them from Jerusalem to Bethany, and was raised up to heaven in their sight; there to continue till he shall descend at the last day to judge the quick and the dead. The evidences of this fact were numerous. The disciples saw him ascend, Ac 1:9-10. Two angels testified that he did ascend, Ac 1:11. Stephen, Paul, and John saw him in his ascended state, Ac 7:55-56; 9; Re 1. The ascension was demonstrated by the descent of the Holy Ghost, Joh 16:7,14; Ac 2:33; and the terrible overthrow and dispersion of the Jewish nation is still a standing proof of it, Joh 8:21; Mt 26:64. The time of Christ's ascension was forty days after his resurrection. He continued so many days upon earth, that he might give repeated proofs of his resurrection, Ac 1:3; instruct his Apostles in every thing of importance respecting their office and ministry, Ac 1:3; and might open to them the Scriptures concerning himself, and renew their commission to preach the Gospel, Ac 1:5-6; Mr 16:15. As to the manner of his ascension, it was from mount Olivet to heaven, not in appearance only, but in reality, and that visibly and locally. It was a real motion of his human nature; sudden, swift, glorious, and in a triumphant manner. He was parted from his disciples while he was solemnly blessing them; and multitudes of angels attended him with shouts of praise, Ps 68:17; 47:5-6.
The effects or ends of his ascension were,
1. To fulfil the types and prophecies concerning it; 2. To "appear" as a priest "in the presence of God for us;" 3. To take upon him more openly the exercise of his kingly office; 4. To receive gifts for men, both ordinary and extraordinary, Ps 68:18; 5. To open the way to heaven for his people, Heb 10:19-20; 6. To assure the saints of their ascension to heaven after their resurrection from the dead, Joh 14:1-2.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
God is gone up with a merry noise, and the LORD with the sound of the trumpet. O Sing praises, sing praises unto our God: O sing praises, sing praises unto our King.
The chariots of God are many thousand times a thousand, the LORD is among them, as in the holy place of Sinai. Thou art gone up on high; thou hast led captivity captive, and received gifts for men, yea, even for thine enemies, that the LORD God might dwell among them.
Jesus said to him, "Thou hast said. Nevertheless I say unto you, hereafter shall ye see the son of man sitting on the righthand of power, and come in the clouds of the sky."
And he said unto them, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the glad tidings to all creatures:
Then said Jesus again unto them, "I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins. Whither I go thither can ye not come."
And he said unto his disciples, "Let not your hearts be troubled: believe in God, and believe in me. In my father's house are many mansions. If it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
"Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is expedient for you that I go away. For if I go not away, that comforter will not come unto you. But if I depart, I will send him unto you.
He shall glorify me, for he shall receive of mine, and shall show unto you.
to whom also he showed himself alive, after his passion, by many tokens; appearing unto them forty days, and speaking of the kingdom of God;
to whom also he showed himself alive, after his passion, by many tokens; appearing unto them forty days, and speaking of the kingdom of God;
For John baptised with water but ye shall be baptised with the holy ghost, and that within this few days." When they were come together, they asked of him, saying, "Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?"
And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up: and a cloud received him up out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly up to heaven, as he went; behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, read more. 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, even as ye have seen him go into heaven."
Since now that he by the righthand of God exalted is, and hath received of the father the promise of the holy ghost, he hath shed forth that which ye now see and hear.
But he, being full of the holy ghost, looked up steadfastly with his eyes into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the righthand of God, and said, "Behold, I see the heavens open, and the son of man standing on the righthand of God."
Seeing, brethren, that by the means of the blood of Jesus, we may be bold to enter into that holy place, by the new and living way, which he hath prepared for us, through the veil, that is to say by his flesh.