Ascension of Christ

Ascension of Christ, his visible passing from earth to heaven in the presence of his disciples, on the Mount of Olives, forty days after the resurrection (Mr 16:19; Lu 24:50-51; Ac 1:1-11).

(1) The ascension was a necessary consequence of the resurrection. Had Christ died a natural death, or simply disappeared from view in obscurity, the resurrection, as a proof of Divine power, would have gone for nothing. It was essential that He should "die no more," so as to demonstrate forever his victory over death.

(2) It was predicted in the 0. T. in several striking passages (e.g. Ps 24; Ps 68; Ps 103; Ps 110); and also by Christ himself (Joh 6:62; Joh 20:17).