“And behold there was a great earthquake.  For an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and coming, rolled back the stone, and sat upon it.  And his countenance was as lightning, and his raiment as snow.  And for fear of him, the guards were struck with terror; and became as dead men.” (Matt. 28:2-4).

  
By death He conquored death; and to those in the graves He granted Life.

Jesus arose from the tomb in glory on the third day after His death.  He arose by His own Almighty Power.  The tomb had been sealed with a heavy stone and was guarded by Roman soldiers. (Mark 16:2-6).  Jesus had foretold that He would arise from the dead.  “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” (John 2:19).  Jesus arose from the tomb to prove that He is the Son of God, and that we are to rise again. (1 Cor. 15:13, 14). 

He remained on earth forty days after His Resurrection.  He did this to prove that He was truly risen, and to instruct His Apostles. (Acts 1:2, 3).  During these forty days Jesus often appeared to His Apostles and disciples.  He came to them through closed doors. (John 20:19).  He ate with them. (John 21:12).  He permitted them to touch His wounds. (John 20:27).  He conversed with them. (John 21:15).  At these different appearances Jesus gave His Apostles the powers to teach, baptize, and forgive sins, and appointed Peter the visible Head of the Church. 

We celebrate the Resurrection of Our Lord on Easter Sunday. 

On the fortieth day after His Resurrection, Jesus ascended into Heaven.  “And the Lord Jesus, after He had spoken to them, was taken up into Heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God.” (Mark 16:19).  He ascended into Heaven from the Mount of Olives, in the sight of His beloved Mother, Apostles, disciples, and friends. (Acts 1:10-14).  He ascended into Heaven by His own divine power; He ascended with body and soul, taking with Him the souls who were detained in Limbo.
 
 

Why did Jesus ascend into Heaven? To enter into His Kingdom (John 18:36) To send down the Holy Spirit (John 14:16) To be our Mediator with His Father  (John 14:14) To prepare an eternal dwelling for us.  (John 14:2)

Jesus Christ sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty means that as man He has power over all creatures. It means that as man He is next in honor to God. “All power is given to Me in Heaven and in earth.” (Matt. 28:18). 

We celebrate the feast of the Ascension of Our Lord into Heaven on Ascension Thursday, forty days after Easter.