What is the ascension, and why is it important?
The bodily return of Christ to heaven is mentioned in a number of New Testament passages (Mark 16:19; Luke 24:50–53; John 20:17; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 3:16—and alluded to in a few others. This crucial event takes place on the Mount of Olives, near (though not in) Bethany (Acts 1:12; Luke 24:50).
Only now does Jesus return to heaven, whence he came (John 3:13). This must take place in order for him to accede to the throne (Acts 2:30) and give the Spirit (2:33). See John 7:39. So unless he had ascended, we would not have the Spirit dwelling in our hearts.
But the ascension bears even more import: NT scholar Steve Walton comments, “Jesus has now penetrated the barrier between earthly and heavenly realms, and as a result unprecedented traffic will flow between the two... angelic activity... the coming of the Spirit... signs and wonders...” (Acts 9:1-42 in the Word Biblical Commentary 37A [Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2024], 133).
Further, the report of the ascension has a political dimension. It is a direct challenge to the imperial claims of Rome, whose deceased emperors were claimed to have ascended into heaven as veritable gods. Apotheosis is the technical term.
By the way, the resurrection and ascension did not take place on the same day, despite appearances in Luke 24. Acts 1 (Luke 25, so to speak) makes this clear. See Q&A 1089.
