God’s Up & Down

~ 2 Important Historical Events ~       

The Ascent (of the Son of God to heaven)  ~  “Now when He [Jesus] had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.  And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven?  This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven’” (Acts 1:9-11).  

Two of the four Gospels also record this important event.  “And 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.  And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen” (Luke 24:50-53). “So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.  And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen” (Mark 16:19-20).

This miracle, recorded in the New Testament, is one of the most significant and important of all miracles in the Scriptures.  When Jesus was came to earth as a human infant He was wrapped in swaddling clothes [infant cloth of the day which restricted movement] and when He left this planet as the Savior He was wrapped in a cloud of His Shekinah [God’s presence, closely associated with light] glory. 

The Descent (of the Spirit of God to earth) ~  “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come [were fulfilled], they were all with one accord in one place.  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.  Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:1-4a). 

comment:  Jesus Christ, is seen in the Passover.  “Indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us” (1 Corinthians 5:7b).  Passover is a type or foreshadowing of the ultimate sacrifice, Jesus Christ and was fulfilled in the death of Jesus Christ, the Messiah.  The Son of God is also seen in this Day of Pentecost [50 days after the Feast of Firstfruits].  The Messiah is the first fruit, the first to be resurrected.  “Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming” (1 Corinthians 15:23b). 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

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