Reference: Ascension
American
The visible ascent of Christ to heaven. When our Savior had repeatedly conversed with his apostles during forty days, after his resurrection, and afforded them infallible proofs of its reality, he led them out to the Mount of Olives, and was raised up to heaven in their sight, there to continue till he shall come again at the last day to judge the quick and the dead, Ac 1:9,11. The ascension was demonstrated by the descent of the Holy Ghost,
Joh 16:7-14; Ac 2. It was Christ's real human nature that ascended; and he thus triumphed gloriously over death and hell, as head of his body the church. While he blessed his disciples he was parted from them and multitudes of the angelic hosts accompanied and welcomed him, Ps 24:9; 68:17. The consequences resulting from his ascension are: the fulfilment of types and prophecies concerning it; his appearance as a priest in the presence of God for us; his more open and full assumption of his kingly office; his receiving gifts for men; his opening the way to heaven for his people. Heb 10:19-20; and assuring his saints of their ascension to heaven after the resurrection of the dead, Joh 14:1-2.
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Lift up, O ye gates, your heads, yea lift them up, ye age-abiding doors, That the king of glory may come in.
The chariots of God, are two myriads - thousands repeated, My Lord, is among them Sinai, is in the sanctuary!
Let not your heart be troubled: Believe on God, and, on me, believe. In the house of my Father, are, many dwellings; or else I would have told you, I go to prepare a place for you.
But, I, the truth, am telling you - It is profitable for you, that, I, depart; for, if I should not depart, The Advocate, would in nowise come unto you, but, if I go, I will send him unto you. And, having come, He, will reprove the world - Concerning sin, and concerning righteousness, and concerning judgment: read more. Concerning sin, indeed, because they are not believing on me; But, concerning righteousness, because, unto the Father, I go my way, and, no longer, do ye behold me; And, concerning judgment, because, the ruler of this world, hath been judged. Yet many things, have I, unto you, to be saying, - but ye cannot bear them, just now; Howbeit, as soon as, he, hath come - The Spirit of truth, he will guide you into all truth; for he will not speak from himself, but, whatsoever he heareth, he will speak, and, the coming things, will he announce unto you. He, shall glorify me; for, of mine, shall he receive, and announce unto you.
And having said these things, as they were beholding, he was lifted up, and a cloud caught him away from their eyes.
Who also said - Men of Galilee! why stand ye looking into heaven? This Jesus who hath been taken up from you into heaven, shall so come, in like manner as ye yourselves have gazed upon him going into heaven.
Having therefore, brethren, freedom of speech for the entrance through the Holy place, by the blood of Jesus, Which entrance he hath consecrated for us, as a way recent and living, through the veil, that is, his flesh, -
Easton
See Christ.
Hastings
The fact of our Lord's Ascension is treated very scantily in the Synoptic Gospels. From Mt. it is entirely omitted. In the appendix to Mk. the words in which it is stated are rather the formula of a creed than the narrative of an event (Mr 16:19). Lk. is somewhat more circumstantial, and, though the chronology is uncertain, mentions the journey to the neighbourhood of Bethany and the disappearance of Christ in the act of blessing, together with the return of the disciples to Jerusalem (Lu 24:50-52). The narrative, meagre as it is, is not inconsistent with, and may even presuppose, the events recorded at greater length in Acts (Ac 1:6-12). Here we learn that the scene was more precisely the Mount, of Olives (Ac 1:12); that the final conversation, to which allusion is possibly made in Mr 16:19, concerned the promise of the Holy Spirit (Mr 16:6-8); and that the Ascension, so far as it was an event and therefore a subject of testimony, took the form of the uplifting of the bodily form of Jesus from the earth till it disappeared in a cloud (Mr 16:9-10). Whether this experience involved more than the separation of Christ from immediate contact with the earth, and included His gradual recession into the upper air, there is nothing directly to show. The general form of the narrative recalls the Transfiguration (Lu 9:28-36 ||). The words of the 'two men in white apparei' (Lu 9:10) suggest that the final impression was that of disappearance above the heads of the onlookers (Lu 9:11). It will be noticed that, while the Markan appendix and Luke, unless the latter narrative is interpolated, blend fact and figure (Mr 16:19 'received up [fact] into heaven [partly fact, partly figure], and sat down at the right hand of God [figure]'; Lu 24:51 'he parted from them [fact], and was carried up into heaven [partly fact, partly figure; but see Revised Version margin,' as must necessarily be the case where the doctrine of the Ascension is concerned; Acts, on the other hand, which purports to describe an event, rigidly keeps within the limits of testimony.
There are certain anticipations of the Ascension in the Gospels which must be regarded as part of their witness to it. Thus Lk. introduces the account of our Lord's last journey to Jerusalem with the words 'when the days were being fulfilled that he should be received up' (Lu 9:51 Revised Version margin). It is probable that the Ascension is here delicately blended with the Crucifixion, as apparently by Christ Himself in Joh 12:32. Again, the word exodos in Luke's account of the Transfiguration, rendered in the text of RV 'decease,' but marg. 'departure,' seems to have the same double reference (Lu 9:31). Our Lord's predictions of the Second Coming 'on the clouds' (Mt 24:30; 26:64; cf. 1Th 4:16; Re 1:7) almost necessarily imply the Ascension. The Fourth Gospel, while in its accustomed manner omitting the story of the Ascension, probably regarded as known, introduces definite references to it on the part of Christ both before and after the Resurrection (Joh 6:62; 7:33; 14:19,28; 16:28; 20:17 etc.). And if we compare statements in the Epistles (Eph 4:8; Heb 1:3; 4:14) with the Ascension narrative, it is scarcely possible to doubt that the writers accepted the historic fact as the basis of their teaching. To this must be added all those passages which speak of Jesus as exalted to the right hand or throne of God (Ro 8:34; Eph 1:20; Heb 10:12 etc.), and as returning to earth in the glory of the Father (Mt 25:31; Mr 8:38; Php 3:20 etc.). In connexion with the Session, St. Peter, after mentioning the Resurrection, uses the expression 'having gone his way into heaven' (1Pe 3:22, cf. Joh 14:3). Nor can we omit such considerations as arise out of the fact of the Resurrection itself, which are satisfied only by an event that puts a definite period to the earthly manifestation of the incarnate Christ.
From what has been said it will appear that the Ascension stands on a somewhat different level from the Resurrection as an attested fact. Like the Virgin-birth, it did not form a part of the primitive preaching, nor does it belong to the evidences of Christianity. The fragment of what is thought to be a primitive hymn quoted in 1Ti 3:16 somewhat curiously places 'preached among the nations' before 'received up in glory.' But it is nevertheless a fact which came within the experience of the Apostles, and can therefore claim a measure of historical testimony. The Resurrection is itself the strongest witness to the reality of the Ascension, as of the Virgin-birth, nor would either in the nature of the case have been capable of winning its way to acceptance apart from the central faith that Jesus actually rose from the dead. But neither the fact itself nor its importance to the Christian believer depends upon the production of evidence for its occurrence. It will not be seriously disputed by those who accept the Apostolic gospel. On the other hand, the fact that the Ascension was accepted in the primitive Church as the event which put a term to the earthly manifestation of Christ brings out the Resurrection in striking relief as in the full sense of the word a fact of history. It is the Ascension, represented as it is in Scripture not only historically but mystically, and not the Resurrection, which might be viewed as an apotheosis or idealization of Jesus. That 'Jesus is now living at the right hand of God' (Harnack) is not a sufficient account of the Christian belief in the Resurrection in view of the Ascension narrative, which, even if Keim and others are right in regarding it as a materialization of the doctrine of the eternal Session as set forth in the Epistles, becomes necessary only when the Resurrection is accepted in the most literal sense.
The Ascension is the point of contact between the man Jesus Christ of the Gospeis and the mystical Christ of the Epistles, preserving the historical character of the former and the universality of the latter in true continuity. It enabled the disciples to identify the gift of Pentecost with the promise of the Holy Spirit, which had been specially connected with the withdrawal of Jesus from bodily sight and His return to the Father (Joh 16:7; cf. Joh 7:39). An eternal character is thus given to the sacrifice of the death of Christ, which becomes efficacious through the exaltation of His crucified and risen manhood (Heb 10:11-14,19-22).
J. G. Simpson.
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And, then, will be displayed - The sign of the Son of Man in heaven, and, then, will smite their breasts - all the tribes of the earth; and they will see the Son of Man - coming upon the clouds of heaven, with great power and glory.
But, whensoever the Son of Man shall come in his glory, and all the messengers with him, then will he sit on his throne of glory;
Jesus saith unto him: Thou, hast said; Moreover, I say unto you - Hereafter, ye will see the Son of Man, sitting on the right hand of power, and coming upon the clouds of heaven.
For, whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man also, will be ashamed, of him, whensoever he shall come, in the glory of his Father, with the holy messengers.
But, he, saith unto them - Be not alarmed! Jesus, ye are seeking, the Nazarene, the crucified: He hath arisen! he is not here, - See! the place where they laid him! But go your way, tell his disciples, and Peter - He is going before you into Galilee: there, shall ye yourselves see him, - according as he said unto you. read more. And, going out, they fled from the tomb, for, trembling and transport, were holding them; and, unto no one, said they, anything, for they were afraid.
And the Apostles, returning, related to him what great things they had done. And, taking them aside, he retired privately, into a city called Bethsaida. But, the multitudes, getting to know, followed him; and, giving them welcome, he began speaking unto them concerning the kingdom of God, - and, them that had need of cure, he healed,
And it came to pass, after these words, about eight days, taking with him Peter and John and James, he went up into the mountain to pray. And it came to pass, while he was praying, that, the appearance of his face, was changed, and, his clothing, became white, effulgent. read more. And lo! two men, were conversing with him, who, indeed, were Moses and Elijah, - who, appearing in glory, were speaking as to his departure, which he was about to fulfil in Jerusalem.
who, appearing in glory, were speaking as to his departure, which he was about to fulfil in Jerusalem. Now, Peter, and they who were with him, had become heavy with sleep; but, waking up, they saw his glory, and the two men who were standing with him. read more. And it came to pass, when they were being parted from him, Peter said unto Jesus - Master! it is, delightful, for us to be, here: Let us, therefore, make three tents, one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah: - not knowing what he said. Now, while he was saying these things, there came a cloud, and it began to overshadow them, - and they were overcome with fear as they entered into the cloud. And, a voice, came out of the cloud, saying - This, is my Son, the Chosen One: Unto him, be hearkening. And, when the voice came, there was found, Jesus alone. And they held their peace, and, unto no one, reported they, in those days, any of the things which they had seen.
And it came to pass, when the days for taking him up were on the point of being fulfilled, even he himself, set, his face, to be journeying unto Jerusalem;
And he led them forth as far as unto Bethany; and, uplifting his hands, he blessed them. And it came to pass, while he was blessing them, he parted from them
And it came to pass, while he was blessing them, he parted from them And, they, returned unto Jerusalem, with great joy;
What then, if ye should view the Son of Man ascending where he was before? --
Jesus, therefore, said - Yet a little time, I am, with you, and withdraw unto him that sent me:
Now, this, spake he concerning the Spirit which they who believed on him were about to receive; for, not yet, was there Spirit, because, Jesus, not yet, was glorified!
And, I, if I be lifted up out of the earth, will draw, all, unto myself.
And, if I go, and prepare a place for you, again, am I coming, and will take you home unto - myself, that, where, I, am, ye also, may be.
Yet a little, and, the world, no longer beholdeth me; but, ye, behold me, - Because, I, live, ye also, shall live.
Ye heard that, I, said unto you - I go my way, and I come unto you, - Had ye loved me, ye would have rejoiced, that I am going unto the Father, for, the Father, is, greater than I.
But, I, the truth, am telling you - It is profitable for you, that, I, depart; for, if I should not depart, The Advocate, would in nowise come unto you, but, if I go, I will send him unto you.
I came forth out of the Father, and have come into the world, - Again, I leave the world, and go, unto the Father.
Jesus saith unto her - Be not detaining me, for, not yet, have I ascended unto the Father; but be going unto my disciples, and say unto them - I am ascending unto my Father and your Father, and my God and your God.
They, therefore, having come together, began to question him, saying - Lord! art thou at this time duly establishing the kingdom unto Israel? He said unto them - It is not yours to get to know times or seasons which the Father hath put in his own authority; read more. But ye shall receive power when the Holy Spirit cometh upon you, and ye shall be my witnesses, both in Jerusalem and inall Judaea and Samaria and as far as the uttermost part of the land. And having said these things, as they were beholding, he was lifted up, and a cloud caught him away from their eyes. And, while they were looking steadfastly into heaven as he was going his way, then lo! two men had taken their stand beside them, in white garments, - Who also said - Men of Galilee! why stand ye looking into heaven? This Jesus who hath been taken up from you into heaven, shall so come, in like manner as ye yourselves have gazed upon him going into heaven. Then returned they into Jerusalem, from a mountain called Olivet, which is nigh unto Jerusalem a Sabbath day's journey.
Then returned they into Jerusalem, from a mountain called Olivet, which is nigh unto Jerusalem a Sabbath day's journey.
Who is he that condemneth? Christ Jesuswho died? - Nay! rather was raised from among the dead, - who is on the right hand of God, who also is making intercession in our behalf?
which he energised in the Christ, when he raised him from among the dead, and seated him at his right hand in the heavenlies,
Wherefore he saith - Ascending on high, he took captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
For, our citizenship, in the heavens, hath its rise; wherefore, a Saviour also, do we ardently await, - The Lord Jesus Christ, -
Because, the Lord himself, with a word of command, with a chief-messenger's voice, and with a trumpet of God, shall descend from heaven, - and, the dead in Christ, shall rise, first,
And, confessedly great, is the sacred secret of godliness, - Who was made manifest in flesh, was declared righteous in spirit, was made visible unto messengers, was proclaimed among nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.
Who, being an eradiated brightness of his glory, and an exact representation of his very being, also bearing up all things by the utterance of his power, purification of sins, having achieved, sat down on the right hand of the majesty in high places:
Having then a great high-priest who hath passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast the confession;
And, every priest, indeed, standeth daily publicly ministering, and the same sacrifices ofttimes offering, the which never can clear away sins; But this priest, having offered one sacrifice for sins evermore, sat down on the right hand of God:
But this priest, having offered one sacrifice for sins evermore, sat down on the right hand of God: As for the rest, waiting - until his foes be made his footstool; read more. For, by one offering, hath he perfected for evermore, them who are being made holy.
Having therefore, brethren, freedom of speech for the entrance through the Holy place, by the blood of Jesus, Which entrance he hath consecrated for us, as a way recent and living, through the veil, that is, his flesh, - read more. And having a great priest over the house of God, Let us approach with a genuine heart, in full assurance of faith, having been sprinkled, as to our hearts, from an evil conscience, and bathed, as to our bodies, with pure water;
Who is on the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, messengers and authorities and powers, having been made subject unto him.
Lo! he cometh with the clouds, and every eye shall see him, such also as pierced him; and all the tribes of the land shall smite themselves for him. Yea! Amen.
Morish
This term is constantly applied to the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to heaven from whence He came. Joh 3:13. Leading His eleven apostles out as far as Bethany, on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives, in the act of blessing them He ascended up to heaven, and a cloud hid Him from their sight. Mr 16:19; Lu 24:50-51; Ac 1:9. The ascension of the Lord Jesus is a momentous fact for His saints: the One who bore their sins on the cross has been received up in glory, and sits on the right hand of God.
As forerunner He has entered into heaven for the saints, and has been made a high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. Heb 6:20. His ascension assured, according to His promise, the descent of the Holy Spirit, which was accomplished at Pentecost. Joh 16:7; Ac 1:4,8; 2. As ascended He became Head of His body the church, Eph 1:22, and gave gifts to men, among which gifts are evangelists who preach to the world, and pastors and teachers to care for and instruct the saints. Ps 68:18; Eph 4:8-13.
His ascension is a demonstration through the presence of the Holy Spirit that sin is in the world and righteousness in heaven, for the very One they rejected has been received by the Father into heaven. Joh 16:10. The ascension is also a tremendous fact for Satan: the prince of this world has been judged who led the world to put the Lord to death; and in His ascension He led captivity captive, having broken the power of death in which men were held, Eph 4:8, for He had in the cross spoiled principalities and powers and made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Col 2:15.
Above all, the ascension is a glorious fact for the blessed Lord Himself. Jehovah said unto Him, "Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool." Ps 110:1. He has taken His place as man where man never was before, and He is also glorified with the glory which He had before the world was, besides the glory which He graciously shares with His saints. Joh 17:5,22.
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Thou hast ascended on high, Thou hast led in procession a body of captives, Thou hast received gifts consisting of men, Yea even the rebellious, That, Yah, Elohim, might settle down to rest.
The declaration of Yahweh to my Lord - Sit thou at my right hand, Until I make thy foes thy footstool.
And he led them forth as far as unto Bethany; and, uplifting his hands, he blessed them. And it came to pass, while he was blessing them, he parted from them
And, no one, hath ascended into heaven, save he that, out of heaven, descended, - The Son of Man.
But, I, the truth, am telling you - It is profitable for you, that, I, depart; for, if I should not depart, The Advocate, would in nowise come unto you, but, if I go, I will send him unto you.
But, concerning righteousness, because, unto the Father, I go my way, and, no longer, do ye behold me;
And, now, glorify me - thou, Father! with thyself, with the glory which I had, before the world's existence, with thee.
And, I, the glory which thou hast given to me, have given to them, that they may be one, even as, we, are, one. -
And being in company with them he charged them, from Jerusalem, not to absent themselves, but - To abide around the promise of the Father which ye have heard of me,
But ye shall receive power when the Holy Spirit cometh upon you, and ye shall be my witnesses, both in Jerusalem and inall Judaea and Samaria and as far as the uttermost part of the land. And having said these things, as they were beholding, he was lifted up, and a cloud caught him away from their eyes.
And did put, all things, in subjection beneath his feet. And gave him to be head over all things unto the assembly,
Wherefore he saith - Ascending on high, he took captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
Wherefore he saith - Ascending on high, he took captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. Now this, He ascended; what is it, - save - that he also descended into the under parts of the earth? read more. He that descended, he, it is who also ascended over-above all the heavens, that he might fill all things; And, he, gave - some, indeed, to be apostles, and some, prophets, and some, evangelists, and some, shepherds and teachers, - With a view to the fitting of the saints for the work of ministering, for an upbuilding of the body of the Christ; Until we all advance - into the oneness of the faith, and the personal knowledge of the Son of God, into a man of full-growth, into the measure of the stature of the fulness of the Christ;
Spoiling the principalities and the authorities, he made of them an open example, celebrating a triumph over them thereby.
Where a forerunner in our behalf hath entered, even Jesus, who, according to the rank of Melchizedek, hath become, a high-priest unto times age-abiding.