THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST

Chapter 95 of The Gospel of the Holy Twelve

 

After Jesus had showed himself alive to his disciples following his resurrection and sojourned with them for ninety days teaching and speaking of the Kingdom and the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God; and when he had finished all things that he had to do, he led forth the twelve with Mary Magdalene, and Joseph his father, and Mary his mother, and the other holy women as far as Bethany to a mountain called Olivet, where he had gathered them. When they saw him as he stood in the midst of them, they worshipped him, but some doubted.

Jesus spoke unto them, saying, “Behold, I have chosen you from among men and have given you the Law and the Word of truth. I have set you as the light of the world and as a city that cannot be hid. But the time comes when darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people, and the enemies of truth and righteousness shall rule in my Name, and set up a kingdom of this world, and oppress the people, and cause the enemy to blaspheme, putting the opinions of men as my doctrines, and teaching in my Name that which I have not taught, and darkening much that I have taught by their traditions. But be of good cheer, for the time will also come when the truth they have hidden shall be manifested, and the light shall shine, and the darkness shall pass away, and the true kingdom shall be established which shall be in the world, but not of it; and the Word of righteousness and love shall go forth from the Centre, the holy city of Mount Zion, and the Mount which is in the land of Egypt shall be known as an altar of witness to the Lord. And now I go to my Parent and your Parent, my God and your God. But you, tarry in Jerusalem and abide in prayer, and after seven days you shall receive power from on high, and the promise of the Holy Spirit shall be fulfilled in you; and you shall go forth from Jerusalem to all the tribes of Israel, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.”

Having said these things, he lifted up his pure and holy hands and blessed them. And it came to pass that while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and a cloud, as bright as the sun, received him out of their sight, and as he went up some held him by the feet and others worshipped him, falling on their faces to the earth.

While they gazed steadfastly into heaven, two stood by them in white clothing, and said, “You men of Israel, why do you stand gazing into the heaven; this same Jesus who is taken from you in a cloud, and as you have seen him go into heaven, so shall he come again to the earth.”

Then they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives which is a Sabbath day’s journey from the city. As they returned, they missed Mary Magdalene, and they looked for her, but did not find her. Some of the disciples said, “The Master has taken her.” And they marveled and were in great awe. Now it was midsummer when Jesus ascended into heaven, and he had not yet attained his fiftieth year, for it was necessary that seven times seven years should be fulfilled in his life. Yes, so that he might be perfected by the suffering of all experiences and be an example to all: to children and parents, to the married and the celibate, to youth and those of full age, and yes, to all ages and conditions of mortal life.