The Lord J
esus passed forty days on
earth after His Resurrection from the dead, appearing
continually in various places to His disciples, with whom He
also spoke, ate, and drank, thereby further demonstrating
His Resurrection. On this Thursday, the fortieth day after
Pascha, He appeared again in Jerusalem. After He had first
spoken to the disciples about many things, He gave them His
last commandment, that is, that they go forth and proclaim
His Name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. But He
also commanded them that for the present, they were not to
depart from Jerusalem, but to wait there together until they
receive power from on high, when the Holy Spirit would come
upon them.
Saying these things, He led them to the
Mount of Olives, and raising His hands, He blessed them; and
saying again the words of the Father's blessing, He was
parted from them and taken up. Immediately a cloud of light,
a proof of His majesty, received Him. Sitting thereon as
though on a royal chariot, He was taken up into Heaven, and
after a short time was concealed from the sight of the
disciples, who remained where they were with their eyes
fixed on Him. At this point, two Angels in the form of men
in white raiment appeared to them and said, "Ye men of
Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into Heaven? This same
Jesus, Wh
o is taken up from you into Heaven, shall so come
in like manner as ye have seen Him go into Heaven" (Acts
1:11). These words, in a complete and concise manner,
declare what is taught in the Symbol of Faith concerning the
Son and Word of God. Therefore, having so fulfilled all His
dispensation for us, our Lord Jesus Christ ascended in glory
into Heaven, and sat at the right hand of God the Father. As
for His sacred disciples, they returned from the Mount of
Olives to Jerusalem, rejoicing because Christ had promised
to send them the Holy Spirit.
