All heaven was waiting the hour of triumph when Jesus should ascend
to His Father. Angels came to receive the King of glory and to
escort Him triumphantly to heaven. After Jesus had blessed His
disciples, He was parted from them and taken up. And as He led
the way upward, the multitude of captives who were raised at His
resurrection followed. A multitude of the heavenly host were in
attendance, while in heaven an innumerable company of angels awaited
His coming. As they ascended to the Holy City, the angels who
escorted Jesus cried out, "Lift up your heads, O ye gates;
and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory
shall come in." The angels in the city cried out with rapture,
"Who is this King of glory?" The escorting angels answered
in triumph, "The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty
in battle! Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up,
ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in!"
Again the waiting angels asked, "Who is this King of glory?"
and the escorting angels answered in melodious strains, "The
Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory." And the heavenly
train passed into the city of God. Then all the heavenly host
surrounded their majestic Commander, and with the deepest adoration
bowed before Him and cast their glittering crowns at His feet.
And then they touched their golden harps, and in sweet, melodious
strains filled all heaven with rich music and songs to the Lamb
who was slain, yet lives again in majesty and glory.
As the disciples gazed sorrowfully toward heaven to catch the
last glimpse of their ascending Lord, two angels clothed in white
apparel stood by them and said to them, "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." The disciples and the mother
of Jesus, who with them had witnessed the ascension of the Son
of God, spent the following night in talking over His wonderful
acts and the strange and glorious events which had taken place
within a short time.
Satan again counseled with his angels, and with bitter hatred
against God's government told them that while he retained his
power and authority upon earth their efforts must be tenfold stronger
against the followers of Jesus. They had prevailed nothing against
Christ but must overthrow His followers, if possible. In every
generation they must seek to ensnare those who would believe in
Jesus. He related to his angels that Jesus had given His disciples
power to rebuke them and cast them out, and to heal those whom
they should afflict. Then Satan's angels went forth like roaring
lions, seeking to destroy the followers of Jesus. -