The 40th Day after Easter Is Jesus’ Ascension Day

The 40th day after Easter is known as “the Ascension Day of Jesus Christ.” The reason this day is observed as the day of Jesus’ ascension is based on the following passage of Scripture.

Acts 1:1-3 “1The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: 3To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.”

As we can see from this passage, because Jesus remained with His disciples for 40 days after His resurrection, the 40th day after Easter has been counted and commemorated as “the Ascension Day of Jesus Christ” even to this day.

When we look at Acts 1:9-11, it says,

“9And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”

This passage explains in detail what happened when Jesus went up, that is, when He ascended into heaven. We can also see that His ascension was not the end, but that He gave us the promise of His return, that is, His second coming, in the same manner as He was taken up into heaven.

Then, where is Jesus, who was taken up into heaven, that is, who ascended, and what is He doing now? The Bible testifies as follows.

1 Peter 3:22 “Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.”

Hebrews 12:2 “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Romans 8:34 “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.”

Jesus is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God, and He is interceding for us. Therefore, we also must look unto Jesus and bear the cross that is given to us now. Jesus is always praying for us.

Luke 22:31-32 “31 Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked to have you, that he might sift you as wheat: 32 but I made supplication for thee, that thy faith fail not; and do thou, when once thou hast turned again, establish thy brethren.”

Because Jesus is always interceding for us, we must be even more bold in faith, strengthen ourselves, and establish our brethren. Our faith must not draw back, because the ascended Jesus will soon come again. And when He comes again, He will cause both us and those who have fallen asleep in Christ before us to be caught up together in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so shall we ever be with the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 “16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

This word is a great hope for us who live in “this world without hope.” The coming of Jesus is something that had already been spoken on the day of His ascension through the two men in white apparel. We have this promise. Therefore, like Joshua and Caleb, while living in this world, we also must endure to the end by faith in the promise of Jesus. According to our own thoughts, it may seem as though this present life will continue for a long time, but the Word of God tells us that this is not so at all. For this reason, all flesh is compared to the flower of the grass (1 Peter 1:24-25). Therefore, if we endure just a little while “by faith,” Jesus will surely descend according to His promise and save us!

2 Peter 3:11-13 “11...what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.”

1 Peter 1:7-9 “7That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.”

Amen.