40. Jesus rose to Heaven. Luke 24:51
It would have been customary for the disciples to recite the following blessing on the eve of this day “Blessed are You, God, King of the Universe, who made us holy with His commandments, and commanded us on the counting of the Omer,” and to count, “Today is 40 days, which are 5 weeks and 5 days of the Omer.” (see www.aish.com)
Jesus ascended into Heaven on day 40 of the 50 day counting of the Omer on which is celebrated the Feast of Shavuot, or Pentecost. It was for this sacred day that Christ had told His followers to wait in Jerusalem. The following morning, still day 50, in the upper room, God would send the Holy Spirit. The promise spoken of in Acts 1:5 was fulfilled at Pentecost.
Acts 1:4-5 (ASV)
4 and, being assembled together with them, he charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, said he, ye heard from me: For John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days hence.
4 and, being assembled together with them, he charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, said he, ye heard from me: For John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days hence.
Christ’s ascension into Heaven completed His task on earth. He won victory over death on the cross. His resurrection secured the First Fruit Offering ensuring eternal life for us all. His ascension placed Him at the throne of the Father where He is the Head of the new creation: The Church. There on the right hand of His Father, Christ, the Messiah intercedes and advocates on our behalf.
The final completing Act was the sending of the Holy Spirit. As the flames of the Holy Spirit lighted on The Church at Pentecost, this New Temple became regenerated, baptized, and sealed. Paul speaks of the gifts of the spirit delivered that day in Ephesians.
Ephesians 4:7-13 (KJV) 7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ: 13 till we all attain unto the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a full grown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:
On the fortieth day, Jesus returned from whence He came, to the glorious presence of His father. There He sat down. He took His rightful place beside His Father, God.
We will not see our Jesus, Messiah, again until He returns just as He departed. A trumpet will sound and His majesty will resound triumphantly through the heavens, delivering the fullness and power of all His glory.
Acts 1:9-11 (ASV)
9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they were looking steadfastly into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 who also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye looking into heaven? this Jesus, who was received up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye beheld him going into heaven.
9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they were looking steadfastly into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 who also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye looking into heaven? this Jesus, who was received up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye beheld him going into heaven.
… and those things too, He will do for you and for me.
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