The Truth About Angels
Christ's Final Appearance at His Ascension
The time had come for Christ to ascend to His Father's throne.... As the place of His ascension, Jesus chose the spot so often hallowed by His presence ... the Mount of Olives.... TA 220.1
Now with the eleven disciples Jesus made His way toward the mountain. As they passed through the gate of Jerusalem, many wondering eyes looked upon the little company, led by One whom a few weeks before the rulers had condemned and crucified.... Upon reaching the Mount of Olives, Jesus led the way across the summit, to the vicinity of Bethany. Here He paused, and the disciples gathered about Him. Beams of light seemed to radiate from His countenance as He looked lovingly upon them.... With hands outstretched in blessing, and as if in assurance of His protecting care, He slowly ascended from among them, drawn heavenward by a power stronger than any earthly attraction. As He passed upward, the awe-stricken disciples looked with straining eyes for the last glimpse of their ascending Lord.—The Desire of Ages, 829-831. TA 220.2
When Jesus ... ascended from the Mount of Olivet, He was not only in sight of a few disciples, but many were looking on. There was a multitude of angels, thousands upon thousands who beheld the Son of God as He ascended on high.—The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, 127.2. TA 220.3
While the disciples were still gazing upward, voices addressed them which sounded like richest music. They turned, and saw two angels in the form of men, who spoke to them, saying, “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.” TA 221.1
These angels were of the company that had been waiting in a shining cloud to escort Jesus to His heavenly home. The most exalted of the angel throng, they were the two who had come to the tomb at Christ's resurrection, and they had been with Him throughout His life on earth.—The Desire of Ages, 831, 832. TA 221.2
Christ was taken up into heaven in a cloud composed of living angels.—Manuscript Releases 17:2. TA 221.3
As the chariot of angels received Him, His words had come to them [the disciples], “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end.”—The Acts of the Apostles, 65. TA 221.4
Thousands and thousands of angels escorted Christ in honor to the city of God, singing, “Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.” The angel sentinels at the gate exclaimed, “Who is this King of glory?”—The Review and Herald, July 29, 1890. TA 221.5
As He [Christ] approached the City of God ... [the] voices [of thousands of angels] were raised and the highest angels sang, “Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.”—. TA 222.1
Again the challenge rings forth, “Who is this King of glory?” and the escorting angels answer, “The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory,” and the heavenly train passes through the gates.—The Review and Herald, July 29, 1890. TA 222.2
When Christ ascended up on high, and led a multitude of captives, escorted by the heavenly host, and was received in through the gates of the city, ... He possessed the same exalted stature that He had before He came into the world to die for man.—Spiritual Gifts 4a:119. TA 222.3