A lot of people wonder, “What happens after we die?”
As children of God, we have a preview of what to expect. We know that even though we die, we will live eternally. The truth of this is illustrated in the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ.
David foretold the ascension in Psalm 68:18: “You have ascended on high, You have led captivity captive; You have received gifts among men, even from the rebellious, that the Lord God might dwell there.” David even saw what would go on in heaven when Jesus ascended there: “The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool.’” (Psalm 110:1). Jesus Himself told His followers He would ascend and return to His Father (John 6:62; 14:28; 16:5; 20:17).
Jesus was taken up into heaven while His disciples looked on. He was literally raptured! “He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven” (Luke 24:50-51).
Prior to His ascension, Jesus appeared on earth for 40 days. In the Old Testament, the number 40 often relates to preparation or testing. During the flood of Noah, rain fell for 40 days and nights (Genesis 7:12). Moses was on the mountain for 40 days before receiving the Ten Commandments (Exodus 34:28). Elijah’s 40-day journey to Mt. Horeb prepared him for a deeper encounter with God (1 Kings 19:8). The Israelites wandered in the wilderness 40 years, and God prepared a new generation to take the promised land (Joshua 5:6).
Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness, fasting and being tempted by the devil in preparation for His earthly ministry (Luke 4:1-2). Later, He appeared on earth for 40 days following His resurrection (Acts 1:3). He was preparing for His greatest ministry: to sit at the Father’s right hand and intercede for us.
When Jesus led His disciples to Bethany, He lifted up His hands and blessed them before He ascended. A blessing of victory went with raised hands. The Israelites were victorious in battle as long as Moses’ hands were raised (Exodus 17:11). Also, when the high priest blessed the people, he lifted up his hands (Leviticus 9:22). So Jesus, our great High Priest, lifted up His hands and blessed His disciples. He didn’t want them to be defeated; and He doesn’t want you to be defeated, either! He is in heaven, interceding for you (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 4:14-16; 7:25; 9:24).
Scripture tells us: “Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight” (Acts 1:9). Clouds are usually present when heaven and earth touch. In Exodus, a cloud guided the Israelites through the wilderness, descended on Mt. Sinai, and filled the Tabernacle once it was complete (13:21-22, 24:15-18, 40:34-38). When Solomon’s temple was dedicated, a cloud filled the house of the Lord, and the priests were unable to stand in the glory of God (1 Kings 8:10-11). Jesus was taken up into the clouds because God was going to touch the earth with His presence in a special way.
On Pentecost, 120 of His followers were baptized in the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4). Jesus went up and the Holy Spirit came down and touched the earth and is still working here today! Through the work of the Spirit, the church produces fruit in God’s kingdom. In John 16:7, Jesus said it was for our advantage that He go away. We profited not only through Jesus’ death and resurrection, but also His ascension because now the Holy Spirit works through us. As a Christian, sin and death no longer rule us because Jesus rose from the dead. He sent us the gift of the Holy Spirit and a seat with Himself in heavenly places! (Ephesians 2:4-6)