DID JESUS GO TO HEAVEN AFTER HE DIED BUT BEFORE HIS ASCENSION?
YES, JESUS WENT TO HEAVEN ON THE DAY OF HIS DEATH.
And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, to day shalt thou be with me in paradise. Luke 23:42-43
NO, JESUS REMAINED ON EARTH AFTER HIS DEATH UNTIL HIS ASCENSION.
Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. John 20:17
WAS JESUS THE FIRST TO RISE FROM THE DEAD?
JESUS WAS THE FIRST PERSON TO RISE FROM THE DEAD.
That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead. Acts 26:23
But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 1 Corinthians 15:20
OTHERS ROSE FROM THE DEAD BEFORE HIM.
A WITCH RAISED SAMUEL FROM THE DEAD.
Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel …. And he said unto her, What form is he of? And she said, An old man cometh up; and he is covered with a mantle. And Saul perceived that it was Samuel. 1 Samuel 28:11, 14
ELIJAH RAISED A BOY FROM THE DEAD BY STRETCHING HIMSELF UPON THE DEAD BOY THREE TIMES.
He stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, I pray thee, let this child’s soul come into him again.And the LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived. 1 Kings 17:21-22
ELISHA BROUGHT A DEAD BOY TO LIFE BY LAYING ON TOP OF HIM, PUTTING HIS MOUTH ON THE BOYS MOUTH, ETC. UNTIL THE FLESH OF THE DEAD BOY WAXED WARM.
And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid upon his bed. He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the LORD. And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm. Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times. 2 Kings 4:32-35
A DEAD BODY WAS BROUGHT TO LIFE WHEN IT ACCIDENTALLY TOUCHED THE BONES OF ELISHA.
And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet. 2 Kings 13:21
MOSES AND ELIJAH HAD A CONVERSATION WITH JESUS AFTER BEING RAISED FROM THE DEAD.
And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias. Luke 9:30
JESUS RAISED A FEW PEOPLE FROM THE DEAD.
And when Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise, He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose. Matthew 9:23-25 (see also Mark 5:39-42, Luke 8:49-55)
Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother. Luke 7:12-15
And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. John 11:43
AND DEAD PEOPLE ROSE AND WALKED THE STREETS OF JERUSALEM IMMEDIATELY AFTER JESUS DIED.
Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost … And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose. And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. Matthew 9:50-53
OTHERS BEFORE JESUS WENT TO HEAVEN
19 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Mark 16:19
51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Luke 24:51
9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. Acts 1:9
Crishna the crucified Hindoo Saviour, rose from the dead Higgins: Anacalypsis, vol. ii. pp. 142 and 145.
and ascended bodily into heaven. Higgins: Anacalypsis, vol. i. p. 131.
At that time a great light enveloped the earth and illuminated the whole expanse of heaven. Attended by celestial spirits, and luminous as on that night when he was born in the house of Vasudeva. All men saw him, and exclaimed, “Lo, Crishna’s soul ascends its native skies!” Hist. Hindostan, ii. pp. 466 and 473
Râma—an incarnation of Vishnu—after his manifestations on earth, “at last ascended to heaven,” “resuming his divine essence.”
Buddha, the son of the Virgin Maya, who, as the God of Love, is named Cam-deo, Cam, and Cama, is of the same character as that of other virgin-born gods. When he died there were tears and lamentations. Heaven and earth are said equally to have lamented the loss of “Divine Love,” insomuch that Maha-deo (the supreme god) was moved to pity, and exclaimed, “Rise, holy love!” on which Cama was restored and the lamentations changed into the most enthusiastic joy. And… just like the Jesus stone of the tomb, “the coverings of the body unrolled themselves, and the lid of his coffin was opened by supernatural powers”
Just like Jesus, Buddha also ascended bodily to the celestial regions when his mission on earth was fulfilled. By prayers in his name his followers expect to receive the rewards of paradise, and finally to become one with him when they die.
Lao-Kiun, the virgin-born, he who had existed from all eternity, when his mission of benevolence was completed on earth, ascended bodily into the paradise above. There have been splendid temples erected to his memory.
Zoroaster, of ancient Persian, who was considered “a divine messenger sent to redeem men from their evil ways,” ascended to heaven at the end of his earthly life.
Æsculapius, the Son of God, the Saviour, after being put to death, rose from the dead.
The Saviour Adonis or Tammuz, after being put to death, rose from the dead. “Trust ye in God, for out of pains, Salvation is come unto us.”
Adonis of the Syrians is celebrated, in the early spring, this ceremony in honor of the resurrection of Adonis.
The festival in honor of the resurrection of Adonis was observed in Alexandria in Egypt—the cradle of Christianity—in the time of St. Cyril, Bishop of Alexandria (A. D. 412), and at Antioch—the ancient capital of the Greek Kings of Syria—even as late as the time of the Emperor Julian (A. D. 361-363), whose arrival there, during the solemnity of the festival, was taken as an ill omen.
Eusebius, the celebrated Christian ecclesiastical historian wrote that prior gods ascribed to Jesus;
“Listen to thine own gods, to thy oracular deities themselves, who have borne witness, and ascribed to our Saviour (Jesus Christ) not imposture, but piety and wisdom, and ascent into heaven.”
The celebration in honor of the resurrection of Adonis had become to be known as a Christian festival, which has not been abolished even unto this day. The ceremonies held in Roman Catholic countries on Good Friday and on Easter Sunday, are nothing more than the festival of the death and resurrection of Adonis.
Under the designation of Tammuz, this god was worshiped, and had his altar even in the Temple of the Lord which was at Jerusalem. Several of the Psalms of David were parts of the liturgical service employed in his worship; the 110th, in particular, is an account of a friendly alliance between the two gods, Jehovah and Adonis, in which Jehovah adorns Adonis for his priest, as sitting at his right hand, and promises to fight for him against his enemies.
The Lord says to my lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” Psalm 110
women of Israel would weep for their god in the Temple;
14 Then he brought me to the entrance of the north gate of the house of the Lord, and I saw women sitting there, mourning the god Tammuz. Ezekiel 8:14
Adonis, is almost (less the s) the very Hebrew word ‘Our Lord,’ a well-known title of Christ; “Adoni” .
Tammuz as well as Hercules (Greek and Roman god), are that class of idols which represent the promised Saviour – the desire of all nations (similar to desire of Jesus). Catholic Priests represent that the prior gods were just a work of the devil, an imitation of the real god, their god, Jesus. This has been written by Eusebius, Tertullian and St. Justin.
Osirus annually was celebrated by the ancient Egyptians his resurrection and ascension. His image was carried in a procession, covered—as were those in the temples—with black veils. On the 25th of March his resurrection from the dead was celebrated with great festivity. Osirus exemplifies self-sacrifice—in giving his life for others. He stood for truth and gooness. After being dead, he was restored to life.
Known ancient writers Athanasius, Augustin, Theophilus, Athenagoras, Minucius Felix, Lactantius, Firmicius, all draw comparisons of Osirus to Christ. 5000 years ago Osirus was people’s savior who died and was resurrected. . At the end of three days, or forty according to some, he arose again.
Horus, son of the virgin Isis, is written descriptions of the grief which was manifested at his death, and of the rejoicings at his resurrection.
Atys, the Phrygian Saviour, was put to death, and rose again from the dead.
Mithras, the Persian Saviour, and mediator between God and man, was believed by the inhabitants of Persia, Asia Minor and Armenia, to have been put to death, and to have risen again from the dead. There is an ancient coin like medalion found that has the inscription to their god Mithras, —ORTVS SALVAT, “The Rising of the Saviour”.
Bacchus, the Saviour, son of the virgin Semele, after being put to death, also arose from the dead. 25th of March his resurrection from the dead was celebrated with great rejoicings. After his resurrection he ascended into heaven.
Hercules, the Saviour, the son of Zeus by a mortal mother, was put to death, but arose from the funeral pile, and ascended into heaven in a cloud, amid loud thunderings.
Memnon is put to death, but rises again to life and immortality. Thanks to his mother who weaped incesantly (like Mary for Jesus) and that brought him back to life (like tammuz, Adonis, and Jesus).
Amphiaraus—one of their most celebrated prophets and demi-gods of the Greeks—rose from the dead. They even point to the spot of his ressurection.
Baldur, the Scandinavian Lord and Saviour, is put to death, but does not rest in his grave. He too rises again to life and immortality. When “Baldur the Good,” the beneficent god, descended into hell, Hela (Death) said to Hermod (who mourned for Baldur): “If all things in the world, both living and lifeless, weep for him, then shall he return to the Æsir (the gods).” Upon hearing this, messengers were dispatched throughout the world to beg everything to weep in order that Baldur might be delivered from hell. All things everywhere willingly complied with this request, both men and every other living being, so that wailing was heard in all quarters.
Frey, was put to death, and rose again from the dead, was worshiped by ancient Scandinavians as a god.
Quetzalcoatle, the Mexican crucified Saviour, after being put to death, rose from the dead. Thius is represented in hieroglyphics and the Codex Borgianus.
Jews, celebrate Passover on the same day the pagans celebrated the resurrection of their gods.
Catholics. They would celebrate a mass called Gloria Patri where a young man would lay on a stand in front of the altar. The altar was draped in black. The priens and others would be dressed in all black. The Church would be dark. This was also called the “Agonie,” the “Miserere,” the “Good Friday” mass. On Easter all the black motif would be gone and the church would be illuminated and bright. The Easter hymns would say “Rejoice, Oh sacred Initiated, your God is risen. His death, his pains, his sufferings, have worked our salvation.”
The early Catholic Church did not celebrate the resurrection but would celebrate Pass-Over at the same time the Jews celebrated it, the 14th of Nisan. Then the Christians changed their tune and claimed before Jesus’ death he had not eaten the Passover meal, but had died on the very day of the Passover, thus substituting himself for the Paschal Lamb. So they changed the celebration to the first Sun-Day after the passover, the pagan holiday. On this day was honored the Saxon goddess Ostrt or Eostre of the Germans, whence our modern holiday name Easter. It was an active day with sports and the like and was called “carne-vale.” It’s main rite was giving out colored dyed eggs. At that time the Jews used eggs as part of the Passover ritual and still do to this day.
Epistles. “We have epistles from Peter, James, John, and Jude—all of whom are said to have seen Jesus after he rose from the dead, and in none of epistles is the fact of the resurrection even stated, much less that Jesus was seen by the writers after his resurrection.”