Act 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.
Act 1:10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
Act 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
Jesus being resurrected for forty days ascended bodily into heaven. Now He is exalted forever. His bodily ascention being witnessed serves as a promise that He will return bodily someday. His ascention ushered in a new era in which each believer would be filled with His Holy Spirit. Not having to count on His physical precence we can now (worldwide) have a personal spiritual relationship with God.Joh 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
Joh 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
The indwelling Spirit was none other than Christ Himself in a new relation . . . .dimension- no longer with them in the flesh, but in them in the Spirit. Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Joh 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
Joh 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
Joh 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
__________________ And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
One part of the scripture concernig Christs words to Mary Magdalene shortly after He arose from the tomb leaves me in question: Joh 20:17 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.
I find that some folk believe this means that Christ ascended once before the public ascension. But then theres this verse: Mat 28:9 And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.
Not only did it seem like it was very much in the same time frame but Christ allowed them to touch (hold) His feet.
Then the NKJV says in John 20:17 "Do not cling to me . . .but go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father" (which in my mind brings up the question of why did Jesus want to tell them He was ascending if it was going to be forty days later?)
The NIV says in John 20:17 "Do not hold on to me . .go instead to my brothers and tell them, I am returning to my Father" (This version also leaves me with the same question)
The Greek text also gives the idea that Jesus may have not meant that He was not to be touched . . .but that He did'nt want to be detained.
I tend to think that Jesus did not ascend at all until the 40th day. . at least, I don't think He ascended to offer up His blood as some seem to believe, for the reason of these scriptures: Heb 9:14 by how much more the blood of Christ (who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God), will purify your conscience from dead works, to serve the living God! 1Pe 2:24 who "Himself carried up in His body our sins" onto the tree; that dying to sins, we might live to righteousness, of whom "by His wound you were healed." (It seems that He offered up the blood on the cross itself)
But at the same time there is a little thread of doubt because of the message He was sending to the diciples "but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God." Looks like I've gotten off into a tangent here . . .I've made a pretty lengthy post to simply say I don't understand one verse. You guys have to realize by now that making these posts is a way I have of studying. The thread should be titled "I'M RUNNING MY MOUTH UNTIL I STICK MY FOOT IN IT"
__________________ And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
Leaf River Mac, first of all I want to say thanks, I have very much enjoyed your series of threads. I haven't taken time to post back to but the barest amount. I am heading out this next Wednesday, you know how busy getting ready for a hunting trip can get.
Thanks
Mr-Pirk
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A proud owner of a Flying Vee. Bestowed by the fine Gentleman VC1111 himself.
Christs exaltation is tied in real close with His ascention. On earth He gave up His visible glory, honour , and recognition, and submitted to human limitations and agony. He "made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servent, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in the fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obediant unto death, even the death of the cross"(Phi 2:7-8) But no more! In heaven Jesus is openly invested with all power, authority, and Glory as God.
__________________ And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
THE ASCENSION 0F JESUS
Looks like I've gotten off into a tangent here . . .I've made a pretty lengthy post to simply say I don't understand one verse. You guys have to realize by now that making these posts is a way I have of studying. The thread should be titled "I'M RUNNING MY MOUTH UNTIL I STICK MY FOOT IN IT"
