Jesus Ascendeth into Heaven

Acts 1:9-14; It is now the appointed time. Jesus is to return to his Father. But why not just vanish, as he did after breaking bread with the Emmaus Road disciples? (Luke 24:1-35.) Why not go away in secret? Why create this dramatic scene?

Acts 1:9-14; In his Ascension, as in all else, our Lord chose to dramatize and teach a gospel truth in such a way that it could not be misunderstood. Here he is teaching the literal nature of his Second Coming. He stands on the Mount of Olivet and ascends visibly; angels attend; they reveal that his going establishes the pattern for his return. Thus that Jesus whom the apostles knew intimately, whose immortal body they had felt and handled, that same resurrected personage who had eaten fish and an honeycomb before them now ascends personally, literally as they behold. And so shall he come again, on the Mount of Olivet, literally, personally, in the flesh, as a glorified Man, as a personage of tabernacle. See Commentary I, pp. 660-663; 1 Thessalonians 5: 1-11; Revelation 14: 1-5.

Acts 1:9; 9. While they beheld] They were witnesses to the end; as their hands had felt the nail marks in his hands and feet (Luke 24:36-43), so now their eyes saw him ascend. It was all literal and personal, not imaginary or spiritual.

Acts 1:10; 10. Two men] Angels, holy beings who not only are of the same race as men, but are in fact men, men in a different stage of existence than are mortals, but men who are the offspring of the same Father. See Acts 10:1-8.

Acts 1:12; 12. The mount called Olivet] The Mount of Olives, "the olive-orchard"—hallowed spot! On this Mount is the Garden called Gethsemane where Jesus in agony took upon himself the sins of the world (Commentary I, pp. 772-777); here he now ascends in triumphant glory; and here he shall return in that same glory to begin his reign as Israel's King. (D&C 133:19-20.) A sabbath day's journey] Six furlongs or 3/4ths of a mile.

Acts 1:14; 14. One accord] As the Christian dispensation got under way, the leading brethren and sisters of the Church were united in that perfect faith and love which made them disciples in very deed.

Acts 1:14; Mary the mother of Jesus] This is the last Biblical reference to our Lord's mother; all that is subsequently supposed to have happened to her is based solely on the traditions and imaginations of those whose interests it serves. See Commentary 1, pp. 80-85; Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed., p. 471.

Acts 1:14; His brethren] During the mortal life of Jesus, his brethren, Mary's other sons, apparently did not believe in his divine Sonship. (Mark 6:3-4; John 7:3-9.) Now, forty days later, they are numbered with the disciples. See Commentary I, pp. 436-438; 865-872. Paul tells us that James, one of his brothers, subsequently became an apostle. (Galatians 1:19.)