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 shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet. Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises to our King, sing praises.
The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place. Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yes, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.
Jesus saith to him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say to you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
And he said to them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Then said Jesus again to them, I am going away, and ye will seek me, and will die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also 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 depart; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send him to you.
He will glorify me: for he will receive of mine, and will show it to you.
To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion, by many infallible proofs, being seen by them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion, by many infallible proofs, being seen by them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days hence. When they therefore 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 out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly towards heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; read more. Who also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up to heaven? this same Jesus who is taken from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the vail, that is to say, his flesh;