Why did Jesus go back to heaven? What is the ascension?
Here's the answer:
After Jesus rose from the dead, He went back to heaven to be with God. He also went back to prepare a place for everyone who would believe in Him!
Jesus is God, so He doesn’t have a beginning or end. He has always lived in heaven, except for the 33 years He lived as the perfect God-man here on Earth. At the end of His time here, He died on a cross for our sins. But He didn’t stay dead! He rose from the grave three days later. He appeared to His disciples and later over 500 people! After 40 days, Jesus rose up, or ascended, to heaven right before His disciples’ eyes.
Jesus promised that when He went back to heaven, He would start to prepare a place for all who believed in Him. He said to His disciples, “There are many rooms in my Father’s house. If this were not true, would I have told you that I am going there? Would I have told you that I would prepare a place for you there?” (John 14:2). People who believe in Him get to live with Him forever after they die.
One day, Jesus is going to return from heaven for everyone who believes in Him. After Jesus ascended to heaven, two angels appeared to His disciples and said, “Men of Galilee, … why do you stand here looking at the sky? Jesus has been taken away from you into heaven. But he will come back in the same way you saw him go” (Acts 1:11). This is called the rapture—it’s the time when Jesus will bring everyone who believes in Him to heaven, whether they’re dead or alive. We don’t know exactly when it will happen, but all Christians look forward to this wonderful day!
Bible Truth
"Jesus led his disciples out to the area near Bethany. Then he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them. He was taken up into heaven" (Luke 24:50–51).
"And you will know God’s great power. It can’t be compared with anything else. His power works for us who believe. It is the same mighty strength God showed. He showed this when he raised Christ from the dead. God seated him at his right hand in his heavenly kingdom" (Ephesians 1:19–20).
