p. 258 | 76. CHRIST'S ASCENSION

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Feb 27, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 17.

76. CHRIST'S ASCENSION.

Did Christ ascend to the Father in the interval between the meeting with Mary (John 20:17) and his appearing to his disciples (verse 19)?

Evidently he did. His message by Mary to the brethren would indicate this. He had done his work by making his great sacrifice, breaking the power of sin and death, bringing from the graves Satan's captives (Matt. 27:52, 53; Eph. 4:8); and now he sends glad message to his disciples that these trophies of his triumph were to be presented before, and approved by, Him who had sent him. The arrival at the portals of heaven with his redeemed ones is graphically presented in Ps. 24:7-10. Approved of God, he could then return to his disciples and assure them that all their hopes in him were forever safe. He was accepted of the Father. He had looked upon the wounds in the hands, the feet, the side of his dear Son, the emblems of the completed sacrifice, and approved it all. Christ was conqueror, worthy to be intrusted with all power. This is the message Jesus brings back to the disciples. His next ascension was accompanied by the angels alone.