The Ascension of Jesus to Heaven

Acts 1: 9-10

And when he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by in white robes.

The New Testament teaches, again and again, that after his resurrection from the dead, Jesus ascended to heaven in bodily form. In other passages the New Testament teaches that Jesus is seated at the right hand of God (Colossians 3:1), that God made him sit at his right hand in the heavenly places (Ephesians 1:21), and that he was to return to heaven whence he had originally come (John 6:62, 16:28).

The Qur’an only has one statement to confirm the ascension of Jesus but it has been enough to convince Muslims throughout the world that he is there to this day, alive in the very presence of Allah. The text reads: “But Allah took him up to himself” (Surah 4:158).

This statement is made in contrast to the claim of the Jews that they had killed the Messiah, and Muslims believe he was rescued from crucifixion and taken to heaven without dying. Despite the different circumstances, both the Qur’an and the Bible teach the ascension of Jesus, alive and in bodily form from earth to heaven. Significantly, the only Hadith records which mention the destiny of Jesus agree without exception that Jesus was taken to heaven.

This adds the ascension of Jesus to heaven to both the virgin birth and the sinlessness of Christ as common ground between the Bible and the Qur’an.

Today's Prayer

Worship God for his promise that “This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11). Ask God to empower you as you share the truth of the ascended Jesus with your Muslim friends.