DID JESUS ASCEND TO HEAVEN TWICE?

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The question of Jesus ascending twice to heaven is not often asked because there is this general acceptance of only one ascension of Jesus which occurred in Acts 1:9, Mark 16:19 and Luke 24:51

(Acts 1:9 KJV) And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

(Mark 16:19 KJV) So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

(Luke 24:51 KJV) And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.

However, there is an evidence in the Bible that He had earlier ascended to His Father in Heaven prior to this final ascension in the above verses. 

Before His death, Jesus specifically told His disciples in the book of John chapter 16 that He would be going to His Father (which is in Heaven).

(John 16:16-17 KJV) A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father. Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father? 

This statement is not talking about His final ascension as recorded in Act 1:9, Mark 16:19 and Luke 24:51. Note that He said they will see Him after a little while of not seeing Him. So it is not the final ascension as they did not see Him anymore thereafter. Also note that many people assumed that He fulfilled the above verse when He was in the grave for 3 days. They said, "that was when His spirit ascended to the Father in Heaven". However, we know this assumption is not accurate as Jesus told Mary after His resurrection from the grave that He has not yet ascended to His Father. 

(John 20:17 KJV) Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. 

John 20:17 clearly indicates that after His resurrection, He immediately ascended to Heaven first (just like He told them He would in John 16:17), before meeting His disciples. His instruction to Mary was to tell His disciples that He will first ascend to His Father in Heaven and that He will thereafter see them in Galilee. 

(Matthew 28:10 KJV) Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

So Jesus ascended to Heaven twice. The first one was immediately after His resurrection before meeting His disciples. The second one was after meeting His disciples and about 40 days from the day He resurrected.

(Acts 1:3 KJV) To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.

Comments

  1. Olasode Damilare 011/7/21 5:18 pm

    More wisdom sir... ������������

    ReplyDelete

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