Were there two ascensions of Christ?
We read in Luke23:39-46, “And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on Him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise. And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, He said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, He gave up the ghost.” These verses are clear that when Christ died, His spirit ascended to be with His Father in paradise.
We read what happened to His body after He died in Matthew 27:57-60. “When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus’ disciple: he went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.”
On the first day of the week, the Lord Jesus conquered death and rose again! The angel announced to Mary Magdalene and the other Mary that the Lord had risen in Matthew 28:5-6. “And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”
Forty days after He rose from the dead, the Lord Jesus ascended bodily to heaven. We read in Acts 1:9, “And when He had spoken these things, while they beheld, He was taken up; and a cloud received Him out of their sight.”
Every truth of Scripture is for our spiritual benefit, not to simply fill our minds with facts. The Lord Jesus said in John 14:16, “because I live, ye shall live also.” Because Christ died, was buried, and rose again, all those who believe that Jesus died for their sins are guaranteed eternal life! What peace this gives to our lives! We do not need to fear anything or anyone, for we are headed for heaven. He is not simply alive for a while but forever. The Lord Jesus said in Revelation 1:17, “I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” We also read in Hebrews 7:25, “Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Our Savior ever lives to pray for us in our struggles on Earth. Oh, how he loves us! (421.2) (DJ)