Jesus Ascends to Heaven

The Acts of the Apostles
Chapter 1

The Ascension of Jesus Christ Bible Event
Jesus Ascends to Heaven in the Clouds Prophecy

It is always nice to have you back with us at Daily Bread! As our study continues now through the New Testament with a second book written by Luke called the Acts of the Apostles. The Apostles, once ordinary people, became the first messengers to go out and spread the Gospel of Christ to the world. One of the last things that Jesus said to the Apostles, known as The Great Commission, was to go and make disciples of all the nations.

This book is an account of the beginnings of the works done by those chosen, dedicated people and how Jesus filled them with the Holy Spirit to make this seemingly impossible task, a blessing that continues until this very day.

Let's recall what was happening at the end of our study of the Gospels. Jesus appeared to the Apostles by many certainties, for 40 days after His Passion, and revealed to them things about the Kingdom of God. Now, After Jesus had given the Apostles The Great Commission, He also told them not to leave Jerusalem until they received the promise of the Father.

The Ascension of Jesus Christ Bible Journey
Jesus Ascends to Heaven in the Clouds Prophecy

What was that promise? Jesus said, For John truly baptized with water; but you will be baptized with the Holy Ghost soon. They didn't really understand the meaning of this and they asked Him, Will you give back the Kingdom to Israel then?

What were they asking? Well, Israel had been under Roman rule for nearly 100 years at that time, before that Antiochus ruled, before that Alexander the Great, the Persians before that, and before that Nebuchadnezzar, which dates back some five or six hundred years before Christ.

Jesus, speaking of His Kingdom when He answered, said, It isn't for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father has put in His own Power. But you will receive power when the Holy Ghost is upon you and you'll be witnesses of me, both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and to the farthest part of the earth.

The Ascension of Jesus Christ Bible Truth
Jesus Ascends to Heaven in the Clouds Adventure

When He had said this, and while the Apostles watched, Jesus was taken up (ascended) in a cloud into Heaven, out of their sight. While they stared into the sky as He went up, two angels in white stood by them and said, You men of Galilee, why do you stand there staring up into heaven? This same Jesus who has ascended, will come back again, just as you have seen Him leave. (Revelation 1:7)

Here is a little bread stick for you ... It is clearly written that Jesus will return in the clouds. So if someone claims to be Jesus or the Messiah and is in a hidden place or the leader of some group or even the king or president of a country ... It is not Him.

The Apostles returned to Jerusalem and when they arrived there, they went into an upper room. The eleven stayed, united in prayer with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

One day, Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, (there were about 120 of them there) and said, Men and brothers, the scripture that David spoke, inspired by the Holy Ghost, concerning Judas, must be fulfilled. He was one of us, and had obtained part of this ministry. Now, a man purchased a field with the money from that iniquity, and he fell immediately and burst in half, and all his stomach gushed out.

The Ascension of Jesus Christ Bible Blessing
Jesus Ascends to Heaven in the Clouds Hope

It was well known to all the people of Jerusalem, and the field is called, The field of blood. It's written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man live there, and his ministry, let another take, Psalm 69:25, and Psalm 109:8. So, from these men who've been with us when the Lord was with us, beginning from the baptism of John, up to the day He ascended, we must ordain one to be a witness with us of His resurrection. In other words Peter discerned from scripture that since Judas was gone they were to replace him to restore the 12 Apostles.

They chose two of the other followers named Justus and Matthias. They prayed and said, You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, show which of these two you have chosen to take part of this ministry and Apostleship, from which Judas, by transgression, fell, that he might go to his own place. They cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was added to the eleven Apostles.

The Ascension of Jesus Christ Bible Summary
Jesus Ascends to Heaven in the Clouds Conclusion

Next in our study, we'll learn about the day of Pentecost, and what happened on that day that the Apostles had been waiting for. Come on back and join again, for more Daily Bread.