Topical Encyclopedia
The ascension of Jesus Christ is a pivotal event in Christian theology, marking the culmination of His earthly ministry and His exaltation to the right hand of the Father. This event was prophesied in the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New Testament, serving as a testament to the divine nature and mission of Christ.
Old Testament PropheciesThe ascension of the Messiah is alluded to in several Old Testament passages.
Psalm 68:18 is often cited as a prophetic reference to the ascension: "When You ascended on high, You led captives away; You received gifts from men, even from the rebellious, that the LORD God might dwell there." This verse is interpreted as a foreshadowing of Christ's triumph over sin and death, leading a host of captives in His victory.
Another significant prophecy is found in
Daniel 7:13-14, where the "Son of Man" is presented before the "Ancient of Days" and given dominion and glory. This vision is seen as a depiction of Christ's ascension and His subsequent enthronement in heaven: "In my vision in the night I continued to watch, and I saw One like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence. And He was given dominion, glory, and kingship, that the people of every nation and language should serve Him."
New Testament FulfillmentThe fulfillment of these prophecies is recorded in the New Testament, particularly in the accounts of the ascension found in the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. In
Luke 24:50-51, it is written: "When Jesus had led them out as far as Bethany, He lifted up His hands and blessed them. While He was blessing them, He left them and was carried up into heaven." This passage describes the moment of Christ's ascension, emphasizing His blessing upon His disciples as He departs.
Acts 1:9-11 provides a more detailed account: "After He had said this, they watched as He was taken up, and a cloud hid Him from their sight. They were looking intently into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 'Men of Galilee,' they said, 'why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.'" This passage not only confirms the ascension but also points to the promise of Christ's return.
Theological SignificanceThe ascension signifies the completion of Christ's redemptive work on earth and His exaltation to a position of authority and intercession.
Ephesians 4:8-10 echoes the prophecy of
Psalm 68:18, applying it to Christ: "This is why it says: 'When He ascended on high, He led captives away, and gave gifts to men.' What does 'He ascended' mean, except that He also descended to the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is the very One who ascended above all the heavens, in order to fill all things."
The ascension is also a precursor to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, as Jesus promised in
John 16:7: "But I tell you the truth, it is for your benefit that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you."
In summary, the ascension of Christ is a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, a confirmation of His divine mission, and a cornerstone of Christian hope, as it assures believers of His ongoing intercession and His eventual return.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Luke 24:51And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.
Torrey's Topical TextbookActs 1:9
And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
Against Heresies
... Their views as to the prophecies. ... and interpret all that the prophets have declared
respecting Christ and the ... drawn from the promises made by Christ, when He ...
//christianbookshelf.org/irenaeus/against heresies/
The Christ of the Gospels. By Rev. Professor Schaff.
... performed by him, and the prophecies fulfilled in him ... is pregnant with the deepest
meaning respecting the counsel ... on the twilight, not upon Christ; the daughter ...
/.../the christ of the gospels.htm
The Harbinger
... T he general style of the prophecies is poetical ... The leading ideas respecting MESSIAH'S
appearance, suggested by ... excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon ii the harbinger.htm
Paul in Malta and Rome.
... the decrees of God are determinations respecting certain ends ... information; some,
who had considered the prophecies with more ... only in the cross of Christ and to ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxix paul in malta.htm
Acts i. 12
... spake before." Always he comforts them by the prophecies. ... also dwells upon the
circumstances respecting Judas, showing ... must have associated with Christ and his ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily iii acts i 12.htm
On Turning the First Page of the Review which Follows...
... Doctor of Divinity, having reduced the prophecies "capable of ... the nature of his own
delusion respecting Prophecy ... confine Revelations like those of Christ to the ...
/.../burgon/inspiration and interpretation/ii on turning the first.htm
The Sibylline Oracles.
... This concludes the oracular utterances respecting Rome. ... After some other prophecies
we come to the mention of ... as if the remains were reserved by Christ for His ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the sibylline oracles.htm
The Gospels in General
... clear teaching contained in this Gospel respecting the divinity ... each one portraying
the life of Christ in his ... It is filled with prophecies that await fulfilment ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the gospels in general.htm
The Historical Books. 1 the New Testament...
... to establish in accordance with the prophecies of the ... us clear and definite information
respecting the sources ... deep and spiritual views of Christ's person and ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxix the historical books.htm
The Unity of the Divine Essence in Three Persons Taught, in ...
... are foolish, so our own language respecting him is ... and by which all oracles and
prophecies were inspired ... was thus shadowed was more fully manifested in Christ. ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 13 the unity of.htm
Resources
How can we trust that biblical prophecy can indeed predict the future? | GotQuestions.orgWas Nostradamus a true prophet of God? | GotQuestions.orgSurviving the end times - what do I need to know? | GotQuestions.orgProphecies: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
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