Why did Jesus ascend 10 days before The Church Age began?

Let’s first look at Ascension Thursday…

Acts 1:9-11
9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11 who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”
The word “manner” is “tropos” which means “mode, style, character, means, or way.

So He’s coming back the SAME WAY… (and a cloud received Him out of their sight).

What does the bible say about how Jesus will return for the Rapture?

1 Thes 4:16-17

16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

The words “Clouds” in both verses (1 Thes 4:17 & Acts 1:9) is the same Greek word, so it seems that His departure and return WILL be the SAME.

The question is if Jesus returns the same WAY, will He return on the same DAY.

Here are more Bible verses to consider.
1Cor 15:21-23- For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: CHRIST THE FIRSTFRUITS, (First Ascension Day) AFTERWARD THOSE WHO ARE CHRIST’S AT HIS COMING. (Second Ascension Day).

Could the order stated in verse 23 be the two Ascension Days as I showed?

PENTECOST

Why did Jesus ascend 10 days before the dispensation changed on Pentecost?

The Age of Law started on Pentecost when Moses received the Ten Commandments and the Age of Grace started on Pentecost with the arrival of the Holy Spirit and many believe, as do I, the Age of Law will start again on Pentecost.

What I don’t believe is that the Rapture will happen on Pentecost. There was a reason that Jesus left on Ascension Thursday 10 days before Pentecost. What happened in these 10 days as the apostles stayed in prayer in the upper room until the Holy Spirit came upon them? What did they do? Well, they picked the new Apostle, Matthias, who would testify of the Resurrection.

It was God who picked this 12th Apostle as we see in Acts 1:24 which says “And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knows the hearts of all men, show whether of these two thou hast chosen”. Did they need a week to do this? I wouldn’t think so. So why then did Jesus leave 10 days in advance of Pentecost? I believe it was because10 days will be needed now, after Jesus ascends a second time on Ascension Thursday this May when He leaves with the Bride. Why will these 10 days be needed? The time will be needed for God to choose and seal the 144,000, who will be used after Pentecost testifying of the Resurrection the same way He chose the 12th Apostle after the first Ascension Day for the same purpose.

On Ascension Thursday, Jesus, who is the Jew’s Messiah, will take the Bride with Him and will leave the Jews behind. Ten days later, however, they will realize, by the appearance of the two witnesses and the sealed 144,000 that God has not left them and will be there for them during the 70th week.

Has anyone ever noticed that Romans 11:11 has never been fulfilled?

Romans 11:11
I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.

Has our salvation ever ONCE provoked the Jews to jealousy? NO, Never! When we are RAPTURED, leaving with their Messiah, especially on His original Ascension Day, will they be jealous?…I think so..! Or if our disappearance is explained as alien abductions, when the 2 witnesses and the 144,000 preach of Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, His Resurrection, and the Rapture, I’m sure that if jealousy wasn’t evident at our Rapture, it will be then. God’s word does not come back void and Gentile salvation MUST provoke the Jews to jealousy.

Let’s take a look at May 17th, Ascension Thursday.

The 17th, fits the 5, 6, 7 Jesus, of Charity. (15, 16, 17)

It fits a Gentile Holiday and not a Jewish one, which fits a word someone posted a year or two ago.

It’s a sliver moon like many people have seen in their rapture dreams and a few days later it’s the new moon.

Ascension Day is near the end of the barley harvest (Omer count) as the wheat harvest begins on Pentecost. Many people believe the Church is the barley which unlike wheat, which has to be crushed (tribulation) to separate it, it is just waved in the air on the days following first fruits.

It’s also in the spring.

How does this affect overall dates?

Yes, I do believe that the 70th week has not yet begun and that the full 7 years are left for the 70th week. I also believe that the 70th week will end on Rosh Hashanah – Sept 21, 2017 (the jubilee year) which is 50yrs after 1967 when Jerusalem was re-united with Israel and 100 yrs after 1917 when Israel left Ottoman rule. (Google - Rabbi Judah Ben Samuel’s prophecy)

How can this happen?....The shortening of the days by 1/3rd of course (Rev 8:12 & Mark 13:20). If the beginning of the 70th week is May 27th 2012 and it ends on Sept 21, 2017, it will only be 1943 days which means on July 25, 2014 a catastrophic event will happen (meteor strike, etc.) that will shorten our days to 18 hours and cause 2520 days to fit into 1943 days. Simply done by an excel program.

Well that’s the end of my study…..and of course, I’m not picking a date, just showing a possibility…!

Any way you look at it, He coming very, very soon!

YBIC
Rich E

It's always bugged me that they chose a replacement apostle and then Paul was chosen by Jesus to be the apostle to the Gentiles. Was the replacement apostle part of God's plan or was it their natural thinking? They gave God a choice of two men which seems to force the issue regardless of God's intent and it preceded the indwelling of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

But your scenario makes sense to me. God likes to establish precedents and fulfill prophecy layer upon layer. And your point about Israel not having been provoked to jealousy by the Gentiles regarding the Lord certainly seems valid. With their hearts still hardened (albeit only partially)how could they become jealous unless something changes? The jealousy occurring after the fullness of the Gentiles makes sense, and I would certainly be jealous of anyone making the Rapture if I missed it.

I've read about how when Messiah comes the Jews joke about asking Him if it's His first or second trip. It's a bit funny now. Won't be funny then.

Very well done Rich E. Thank you.

Thank you, Rich E. Excellent study. You've given us a lot to ponder.

Some have proposed that on Ascension Day the dead in Christ rise first then we who are alive and remain will follow them at Pentecost.

They liken this to the resurrected saints that were seen coming out of their tombs after the resurrection of Christ. I wonder if they went up with Christ when He ascended?

may 17th is my wedding anniversary..it would be fantastic to get married twice on the same date!!

Riche,

Veery interesting study. About a month ago my grandson had a dream about the lottery. In his dream he heard may 8th, quick pick. I hope that means the church will be the quick pick. That made me think of Charity's dream also. Plus my wedding date is 5/6/78. Kinda got my attention. This same grandson a couple of yrs. ago had two dreams, one was when he answered the front door, a little girl told him that all the christians are coming.??? the other one was he saw Jesus and he described him in detail, but most awesome thing about him was his eyes. He said they were of a blue that he couldn't describe, but when he looked at his eyes he began crying. As he told me of this dream he still got choked. Must have been very powerful effect. This grandson is not a christian, so please pray for him to recieve Christ.
We know that the day and hour hasn't been given to us as scripture has said but these things certainly do get our attention.
My own theory about a date is this; I believe because of our Father's love and long suffering toward us, He has not set any date because he will change it if there's any hope for one more soul. Rather when sin is so loathsome He will say NOW, GO MY SON. It will be when there is no one else to come to him. That's my opinion. I'm sure someone will have something to say about this,but to clarify, that's why I said it's my opinion.

Unlandb, I agree with your opinion...I feel we are in the tarrying process and need to share the gospel for more to get in. the Lord is long suffering...doesn't wish that any perish. God Bless, Jan

Tender Reed, I share your thoughts. Ascension day is May 17th. Perhaps the 10 is a ten day warning. It is interesting that 1 Thessalonian 4:17 says: Then 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. Notice the "17" in 4:17...the 17 is also the day I believe Noah went in the ark...correct me if I am off on that. Another thought I have had...I wonder,...will the changed believers walk and witness on the planet for 40 days? Is this a pattern that could happen? Just a thought, but I wonder anyways. It is all so very, very interesting. God Bless, Jan

Wow, interesting Rapture study, Rick ~~ interesting 'timing' re: our Lord provoking the Jews to jealousy ~~

. . . "And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication.

. . They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son. . . " Zech. 12:10

Ya got my attention. ~~ could it be that after the shout for the 'dead in Christ arising first, then we the church on earth shall 'see' in Spirit the graves open before our ascension? .

Could it be for us on earth, a ten day alert before our instant change?

Wow....wonderful study and case for the rapure. Thank you

i think the left behind will feel like the disciples in the upper rooms, full of fear and terror. yet jesus mangaes to walk through the bolted doors to reach them. finally their eyes are opened. they recognize Him at last.

could this be what happens to the jews in those 40 days?

love the post,
maranatha

Love them all be the gospel. unconditional love. when necessary use words. give reason for your hope (christ)

Rich, thank you SO much for this study! This really hit hard in my gut.

Romans 11:11 - this hit home for me. I do not get into numerology one bit, and I don't get all wrapped up into seeing different numbers in crazy places and take it all as a "sign" from the Lord. I will say this; 11:11 means something to me, it has for over ten years now. The Lord has shown me this so many times, I know it is for a reason. I think my search is over. I think our time is up very soon!

BONUS - my birthday is May 17th! Would be the BEST. GIFT. EVER!

Hurry, sweet Jesus. We want to come Home with You!

Thanks again, Rich. This has blessed me.

Love & Blessings, Nicole xo