The Ascension of Christ is a pivotal event in Christian theology, marking the moment when Jesus Christ was taken up into heaven after His resurrection. This event is not only significant in its own right but is also prefigured and typified throughout the Old Testament, providing a rich tapestry of foreshadowing that underscores its importance in the divine narrative.

Old Testament Typology

1. Enoch and Elijah: The ascension of Christ is prefigured in the Old Testament through the lives of Enoch and Elijah, both of whom were taken up into heaven without experiencing death. Genesis 5:24 states, "Enoch walked with God, and then he was no more, because God took him away." Similarly, 2 Kings 2:11 describes Elijah's departure: "As they continued walking and talking, suddenly a chariot of fire with horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind." These events typify the ascension of Christ, who, after His resurrection, was taken up into heaven in the presence of His disciples.

2. The High Priest on the Day of Atonement: The role of the high priest entering the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16) serves as a type of Christ's ascension. The high priest's entry into the most sacred space, bearing the blood of the sacrifice, prefigures Christ's ascension into the heavenly sanctuary. Hebrews 9:24 explains, "For Christ did not enter a man-made copy of the true sanctuary, but He entered heaven itself, now to appear on our behalf in the presence of God."

3. Jacob's Ladder: In Genesis 28:12, Jacob dreams of a ladder reaching from earth to heaven, with angels ascending and descending on it. This vision symbolizes the connection between heaven and earth, ultimately fulfilled in Christ. Jesus alludes to this in John 1:51, saying, "Truly, truly, I tell you, you will see heaven open and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."

4. Moses Ascending Mount Sinai: Moses' ascent of Mount Sinai to receive the Law (Exodus 19:20) is another typological foreshadowing of Christ's ascension. Just as Moses ascended to commune with God and bring down the Law, Christ ascended to the Father, having fulfilled the Law and the Prophets, and to send the Holy Spirit to His followers.

New Testament Fulfillment

The New Testament provides the fulfillment of these Old Testament types in the ascension of Christ. In Acts 1:9-11, the event is described: "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.'"

The ascension signifies Christ's exaltation and His enthronement at the right hand of the Father, as affirmed in Ephesians 1:20-21: "He exerted when He raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in the present age but also in the one to come."

Theological Implications

The typology of the ascension underscores its theological significance. It marks the completion of Christ's earthly ministry and the beginning of His heavenly intercession. As the ascended Lord, Christ is our advocate before the Father, as stated in 1 John 2:1: "But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate before the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One."

Furthermore, the ascension assures believers of Christ's return. The promise of His return, as declared by the angels in Acts 1:11, provides hope and anticipation for the consummation of God's redemptive plan. The ascension, therefore, is not only a historical event but a present reality and future hope for the Church.Leviticus 16:15
Then shall he kill the goat of the sin offering, that is for the people, and bring his blood within the veil, and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it on the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hebrews 6:20
Where the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hebrews 9:7,9,12
But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

How Christ Performed the Office of Redeemer in Procuring Our ...
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The Fact of the Redeemer's Return was Typified in the Lives of ...
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The Psalms of David
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Love to enemies; or, The love of Christ to sinners typified in David. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watts/the psalms of david/

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is confirmed by the resurrection and ascension of Christ: the souls ...
//christianbookshelf.org/irenaeus/against heresies/

Sundry Exhortations.
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/.../chapter xvi sundry exhortations.htm

Faustus is Willing to Admit that Christ May have Said that He came ...
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The Redeemer's Return
... word of God's messengers at the time of His Son's Ascension. ... 4. Because of its bearing
upon Christ Himself ... The Fact of the Redeemer's Return was typified in the ...
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The Revelation of St. John the Divine
... For the beast in xiii.1 is the pagan Roman State as typified by Nero ... from report,
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/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter xxv the revelation of.htm

Our Captain
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/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/our captain.htm

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