Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Usage:The term "ascending" in the biblical context often refers to the act of rising or going up, both in a physical and spiritual sense. It is used to describe movements towards God, heaven, or a higher state of being. The concept of ascending is significant in various biblical narratives and theological themes, symbolizing elevation, exaltation, and divine approval.
Biblical Instances:1.
Jacob's Ladder: In
Genesis 28:12, Jacob dreams of a ladder reaching from earth to heaven, with angels ascending and descending on it. This vision signifies the connection between God and humanity, with the ladder representing a pathway to divine presence. The Berean Standard Bible states: "And he dreamed: A stairway was set on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it."
2.
The Ascension of Jesus: One of the most significant events involving ascending is the ascension of Jesus Christ. After His resurrection, Jesus ascended into heaven in the presence of His disciples. This event is recorded in
Acts 1:9-11 : "After He had said this, they watched as He was taken up, and a cloud hid Him from their sight. They were looking intently into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 'Men of Galilee,' they said, 'why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.'"
3.
The Psalms of Ascent: The Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134) are a collection of psalms sung by pilgrims as they ascended to Jerusalem for the annual feasts. These psalms express themes of worship, trust, and anticipation of meeting God in His holy city.
Psalm 121:1-2 begins with: "I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth."
4.
Elijah's Ascension: The prophet Elijah was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind, as described in
2 Kings 2:11 : "As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind." Elijah's ascension is a powerful demonstration of God's power and the prophet's unique role in God's plan.
Theological Significance:·
Symbol of Divine Approval: Ascending often symbolizes divine approval and acceptance. Jesus' ascension is seen as the ultimate affirmation of His mission and His divine nature. It signifies His exaltation and the completion of His earthly work.
·
Connection Between Heaven and Earth: The act of ascending serves as a reminder of the connection between heaven and earth. It emphasizes the accessibility of God to His people and the hope of eternal life with Him.
·
Spiritual Growth: Ascending can also represent spiritual growth and the believer's journey towards holiness and closer communion with God. It encourages believers to seek higher spiritual ground and to strive for a deeper relationship with the Lord.
Conclusion:The concept of ascending in the Bible is rich with meaning, encompassing physical movements, spiritual journeys, and divine encounters. It serves as a powerful metaphor for the believer's aspiration to draw nearer to God and to experience His presence in a profound way.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Ascend.
2. (a.) Rising; moving upward; as, an ascending kite.
Greek
305. anabaino -- to go up, ascend... Word Origin from ana and the same as basis Definition to go up, ascend NASB Word
Usage arise (1), ascend (2), ascended (7),
ascending (3), came (7), climbed (1
...Strong's Hebrew
5927. alah -- to go up, ascend, climb... Definition to go up, ascend, climb NASB Word Usage all means go (1), approach (1),
arise (2), arose (1), ascend (12), ascended (10),
ascending (2), ascends (2
...5930. olah -- whole burnt offering
... Or mowlah {o-law'}; feminine active participle of alah; a step or (collectively,
stairs, asascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke) -- ascent...
Library
See the King of KingsAscending
... ASCENSION See the King of kingsascending. tr., John Brownlie 8.7.8.7. I. See
the King of kingsascending. To His throne of power again;...
See the King of KingsAscending
... HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH See the King of kingsascending. 8,7,8,7. See
the King of kingsascending. To His throne of power again;...
Psalm 47. ChristAscending and Reigning.
... THE Psalms of David, In Metre. Psalm 47. Christascending and reigning.
1 O for a shout of sacred joy To God the sovereign King!...
Psalm 47 ChristAscending and Reigning.
... THE PSALMS OF DAVID PSALM 47 Christascending and reigning. CM Christascending
and reigning. O for a shout of sacred joy. To God the sovereign King!...
The Security of Contemplatives Lies in their notAscending to High...
... Chapter XXII. The Security of Contemplatives Lies in Their NotAscending
to High Things if Our Lord Does Not Raise Them. The Sacred...
How Constantine is Represented on Coins in the Act ofAscending to...
... Book IV. Chapter LXXIII."How Constantine is represented on Coins in the
Act ofascending to Heaven. A coinage was also struck...
He Ascended into Heaven, and Sitteth on the Right Hand of the...
... For having consummated what was to be done on earth, and having recalled souls from
the captivity of hell, He is spoken of asascending up to heaven, as the...
John Chapter vi. 60-72
... "Then what if ye shall see the Son of manascending where He was before?" What
is this? Did He hereby solve the question that perplexed them?...
Whether Christ's Ascension is the Cause of Our Salvation?
... Him so no longer.". On His part, in regard to those things which, inascending,
He did for our salvation. First, He prepared the...
Whether Consanguinity is Fittingly Distinguished by Degrees and...
... Now descent is placed in the above definition of consanguinity. Therefore consanguinity
cannot be divided intoascending, descending and collateral lines....
Thesaurus
Ascending (16 Occurrences)... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Ascend. 2. (a.) Rising; moving upward; as, an
ascending kite. Multi-Version Concordance
Ascending (16 Occurrences).
...Scale (38 Occurrences)
... by exposure. 17. (vi) To separate; to scatter. 18. (n.) A ladder; a series
of steps; a means ofascending. 19. (n.) Hence, anything...
Descending (23 Occurrences)
... John 1:51 He said to him, "Most certainly, I tell you, hereafter you will see heaven
opened, and the angels of Godascending and descending on the Son of Man...
Burnt (392 Occurrences)
... Burnt offering: Hebrew olah; ie, "ascending," the whole being consumed by
fire, and regarded asascending to God while being consumed....
Ascend (86 Occurrences)
... Ascend (86 Occurrences). John 6:62 Then what if you would see the Son of Manascending
to where he was before? (Root in WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)....
Government (20 Occurrences)
... that there is in the New Testament no warrant for ecclesiastical grades in the ministry
of the churches, by which there may be created anascending series of...
Vale (20 Occurrences)
... Miller of Madras, who made a special study of the locality (Least of All Lands,
chapter v), considered that the little valleyascending Northeast from Wady ec...
Nations (683 Occurrences)
... difficulty touches the question of time, which, whether it includes five centuries
or twenty, is met by the principle that to the prophets, "ascending in heart...
Joab (128 Occurrences)
... David sends ambassadors with his good wishes to Hanun on hisascending the throne
of the Ammonites; these are ill-treated, and war follows, David's troops...
Jacob (361 Occurrences)
... had formerly seen at Bethel, when, twenty years before, the weary, solitary traveller,
on his way to Padan-aram, saw the angels of Godascending and descending...
Resources
What is Jacob's Ladder? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Feast of Weeks? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Nathanael in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgAscending: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
