On the 40th day of the count to Pentecost, Christ visibly ascended from the Mount of Olives near Bethany, received by a cloud befitting a King, and the apostles knew it was the last time they would see Him until His return, which the angels said will be in the same visible manner, not in secret. His ascension is as significant as the crucifixion and resurrection because of what it set into motion. Daniel 7 shows Him brought before the Ancient of Days and given dominion, glory, and a kingdom. Psalm 68 and Ephesians 4 show that He led captivity captive and gave gifts to men, including the Holy Spirit poured out at Pentecost and the offices that build the church into a dwelling for God. Psalm 110 shows Him seated at the Father's right hand, enthroned and waiting until His enemies become His footstool, and also made a Priest forever after the order of Melchizedek, so that He is Priest on His throne. Far above every angelic and demonic power, He is Head of the church. His exaltation is the opposite of Helel's self-willed grasping, since the Father exalted Him. He entered the heavenly Most Holy Place with His own blood, and as a sympathetic High Priest He intercedes for us, so we can hold fast and come boldly to the throne of grace. Revelation 5 magnifies this scene, with the Lamb worthy to take the scroll.

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.