Ascension Day – What is it?

TL;DR:

The ascension points to the completed and the coming work of Christ. In it, believers discover the joy of the risen Lord and the anticipation of His return, which can inspire us to holy living characterized by loving and serving believers and unbelievers.

what does the bible say?

Ascension Day is not mentioned by name in Scripture, but Jesus’ ascension is. Perhaps the most vivid description we have of Jesus’ return to heaven is in Acts 1:9-11. This passage presents a magnificent picture of two men in white (widely understood as angels) appearing right after Jesus is taken up by a cloud. The two men communicate that Jesus will return to the Earth one day in the same way in which He came. Paul also speaks of the ascension event in Ephesians 4:8-14, in which the Holy Spirit’s giving of gifts to men is mentioned. The ascension points to our own entrance into heaven. First Thessalonians 4:13-18 covers the future rapture event in which the “dead in Christ will rise first” (1 Thessalonians 4:16) followed by those of us who are alive, who “will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:17). As such, believers can encourage one another about this joyous event that is to come (1 Thessalonians 4:18). Jesus’ ascension also confirms His supremacy (Psalm 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9) and precedes His ministry in heaven as our High Priest in heaven (Hebrews 4:14), where His place is now at the right hand of God (Romans 8:34)

from the old testament

Psalm 47:2-3, 6-7, and 8-9 convey God’s supremacy over the Earth. Jesus, as a member of the Holy Trinity, also holds this supremacy, and now that He has ascended into heaven, He is sitting at the right hand of God (see Romans 8:34)

from the new testament

Acts 1:9-11 describes Jesus’ ascension from the disciples' perspective. After a cloud suddenly takes Jesus out of their sight, two men in white robes are seen standing by Jesus, and they tell the disciples: “‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.’"
In Ephesians 4:8-14, Paul speaks of the ascension and specifically speaks of the gifts from the Holy Spirit that were given after this event.
First Thessalonians 4:13-18 speaks of Christ coming for His children. The dead in Christ will rise (ascend) first, followed by all living Christians going to be with the coming Lord forever. The chapter concludes by telling believers to "encourage one another with these words" (1 Thessalonians 4:18).
The ascension held a special place of importance in the early church. Not only does it confirm Jesus’ deity, but His ascension marked the point in which He passed from ministry on Earth to ministry in heaven where He intercedes for us as our High Priest (Hebrews 4:14).

implications for today

Ascension Day celebrates the bodily ascension of Jesus Christ to heaven forty days after His resurrection from the dead on Easter Sunday. This day falls on a Thursday, though many American liturgical churches (and others) celebrate on the sixth Sunday following Easter. As such, the day is sometimes marked as Ascension Thursday or Ascension Sunday. Augustine wrote that the apostles celebrated Ascension Day. While this claim is uncertain, Ascension was included in the earliest Christian creeds. The Apostles' Creed, for example, notes, "He ascended into heaven, sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead." Christians have always emphasized that Jesus is the ascended Lord who reigns forever. For Jesus to return in the future, He has to be in heaven right now. For the resurrected Jesus to be in heaven, He had to ascend there rather than enter by death. The pattern of death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and return is found in numerous biblical and church historical writings, including many church creeds.

understand

Ascension Day celebrates Christ’s ascension into heaven forty days after His resurrection, as recorded in Acts 1:9-11.
Though the Ascension Day holiday isn’t in Scripture, Christians have always emphasized the importance of Jesus’ ascension.
Ascension Day reminds Christians that Jesus will one day come again to take believers home with Him.

reflect

What elements of Ascension Day encourage you in your faith?
Even if you don’t celebrate Ascension Day, how do you keep Christ’s work at the center of your everyday faith walk?
How does contemplating Jesus’ ascension help you to focus on the hope believers are promised in Christ?

engage

How can believers use Ascension Day celebrations as an opportunity to share the gospel?
What elements of Ascension Day can highlight the hope Christ offers?
How does knowing that Jesus is at the Father’s right hand bring peace to believers in an unstable world?