The events of the 40th day of the count to Pentecost in the year of Christ's resurrection are some of the most significant in the New Testament. On the 40th day Christ ascended visibly from a slope of Olivet in the area of Bethany. The apostles witnessed His departure and understood its finality. Christ had finished the work the Father had given Him to do. After His resurrection He oriented Himself toward His return to the Father. He ascended on the 40th day and sat down at the right hand of God. The Son of Man came with the clouds of heaven and was brought to the Ancient of Days. Dominion and glory and a kingdom were given to Him. Christ received gifts for men. He led captivity captive and gave gifts so that the Lord God might dwell in the former captives. The Holy Spirit was poured out on Pentecost after the ascension. Christ was exalted to the right hand of God and received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit which He then gave to men. He was made both Lord and Christ. Jesus was told to sit at the Father's right hand until His enemies are made His footstool. The Messiah would be both King and Priest on His throne. Christ passed through the heavens and entered the heavenly Holy of Holies with His own blood. He is waiting until the time when He will put down rebellion and restore all things. Christ's ascension on the 40th day marked the end of one manner of operation and the beginning of another.

The ascension appears in a reference to the Day of the Lord and the cloud that will attend it. After Christ had said this, He was taken up as they were watching, and a cloud took Him out of their sight. Other versions read that the cloud hid Him from their sight. This depiction fits well with the idea of clouds moving, moving upward in this case. The cloud conveys God. He is present in it. Additionally, this depiction fits nicely into the notion that clouds can occlude, that is, hide or obscure. The two angels standing nearby notify the awe-struck disciples that the Christ will come back in the same way that you saw Him go to heaven. He ascended in a cloud. He will return in one. As such, this passage gives insight into the Day of the Lord when Christ returns.