The Ascension of Jesus
The Ascension of Jesus refers to the event when Jesus Christ rose to heaven on the 40th day after His resurrection. Before ascending, He entrusted His disciples with the mission of spreading the gospel in Samaria and to the ends of the earth, visibly demonstrating the power of His ascension. Inspired by the living hope of resurrection and ascension, the early church saints endured relentless persecution and opposition, achieving the remarkable feat of spreading the gospel of the kingdom throughout the world.
The Day of Jesus’ Ascension
On the 40th day after His resurrection, Jesus ascended to heaven. The place of His ascension was the Mount of Olives, near Jerusalem.[1] Following His resurrection, Jesus spent time with His disciples, offering undeniable proof of His being alive and instructing them about the kingdom of God.[2] Jesus instructed them, “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.” He further emphasized that they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them, enabling them to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. After delivering these final instructions, He ascended to heaven while His disciples looked on.[3]
The Significance of Jesus’ Ascension
Jesus’ ascension serves as the final example set by Christ[4] and symbolizes the ultimate hope for Christians. Obeying Jesus’ command, “You will be my witnesses in Samaria and to the ends of the earth,” the early church embarked on spreading the gospel, marking the beginning of the era of world evangelism.
The Hope of Ascension
Jesus’ ascension confirms that believers who follow Christ will also be transformed into spiritual bodies and ascend. The Bible reveals that, at the final moment, those who have died in Christ will be resurrected, and the believers still alive at that time will be instantly transformed and ascend to meet Christ, who comes as the Judge.[5][6] Without losing the hope of ascension, the early church saints endured suffering on the earth and boldly proclaimed the gospel, regardless of their circumstances.[7][8]
For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.
The Beginning of World Evangelism
Before His ascension, Jesus entrusted His disciples with the mission of being witnesses of Christ and guiding all nations to salvation.[3] This was Jesus’ proclamation of world evangelism.
The early church saints prayed fervently for ten days after Jesus’ ascension, eagerly awaiting the Holy Spirit He promised them.[9] On the day of Pentecost, which was the fiftieth day after Jesus’ resurrection, they were filled with the Holy Spirit.[10] From that day on, the number of those being saved increased daily,[11] and the gospel was proclaimed to the Gentiles through the gift of speaking in tongues.[12] Subsequently, the new covenant gospel, which brings salvation to humanity, began to spread beyond Jerusalem and Judea to all nations.
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Related videos
- [Sermon] Be My Witnesses in Samaria and to the Ends of the Earth
See also
- Ascension
- Resurrection
- Jesus’ Resurrection
- Gospel
- Gospel of the Kingdom
- Teachings of Jesus Christ
- Jesus Christ
- Life of Jesus
- Major Achievements of Jesus Christ
- Miracles by Jesus
- God in the Flesh (Incarnation)