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Date : 2026-07-26 13:02:48
Location: Chapel of the Opened Book
Teacher: Archie Falisi
Summary
This doctrinal series introduces a biblical study on Christ’s descent and ascension, integrating linguistic, historical, and theological analysis across Exodus 16:1-15, Genesis 18:1–19:3 and John 1:1-51, 3:13-14, 6:22 -59, 8:23-28. It begins with a linguistic study of “ascend” and “descend” in Hebrew and Greek—Hebrew yared (descend) and ala/olah (ascend); Greek katabaino (descend) and anabaino (ascend)—highlighted in John’s Gospel to frame Christ’s heavenly origin, incarnation, lifting up, and ascension. The study establishes the context for Christ as the “true bread” by examining Israel’s murmuring and God’s provision of manna in Exodus 16:1–15, contrasting temporal, physical sustenance with Christ’s eternal, spiritual nourishment in John 6:31-59 . It further explores Christ’s identity through his titles in John 1:51, his “Son of Man” designation and heavenly trajectory in John 3:13-14, the bread-of-life discourse in John 6:31-59 and the “I AM” claims in John 8:56-59 that assert his divinity and preexistence, provoking the Pharisees’ attempted stoning. The study underlines the Father’s role in drawing and teaching, Christ’s exclusive vision of the Father, and the promise of resurrection “on the last day” for those who believe and feed on Christ spiritually.
Knowledge Points
1. Linguistic Analysis of “Ascend” and “Descend”
- Hebrew: yared (to go down) contrasts with ala/olah (to go up). Genesis 28:12
- Greek: katabaino (“to go down”) parallels yared; anabaino (“to go up”) parallels ala. John 1:51; John 3:13; John 6:12
- John foregrounds katabaino and anabaino (notably John 3:13; 6:62; 7:33) to present Christ’s descend-ascend pattern: original heavenly location, incarnation, lifting up, and return.
2. Context and Focus of the Ascension Study
- The study will examine what the ascension meant for the disciples, for the Lord, and for believers today, noting differing expectations for apostles and members of the Body of Christ. John 14:1-4 to prepare a place for them:
- Preparatory analysis compares Exodus 16:1–15 and John 6:22–59 to clarify descending/ascending before focusing on the ascension itself, with Mr. Welch’s “Life Through His Name” as a resource highlighting anabaino/katabaino.
3. Analysis of Exodus 16:1–15: Murmuring and Manna
- Historical setting: Wilderness of Sin, between Elam and Sinai, on the 15th day of the second month after the Exodus. One month after the Exodus.
- Israel’s repeated “murmurings” against Moses and Aaron due to hunger and nostalgia for Egypt’s “flesh pots.” note Murmurings in Exodus 16;2,7-9,12.
- God promises to “rain bread from heaven,” (Genesis 16:4) testing obedience; quails by evening and manna by morning (“What is it?”), becoming Israel’s daily diet for forty years, with equal portions despite continued complaints. Deut 8:1-4.
4. Etymology and Significance of “Bread” (Lehem) Food or Sustenance
- Lehem (bread) + Beth (house) = Bethlehem (“house of bread”), the prophesied birthplace of the Messiah (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:6; Luke 2:1–4).
- First mention: Genesis 3:19 ties bread to labor under the curse. Hard labour & toil until returning back to the ground, signifying death as result of sin : Contrast with Christ’s Doctrine in John 6:27 The Labour for this bread to obtain everlasting life is essential:
- Second mention: Genesis 14:18–24, Melchizedek brings bread and wine in blessing, prefiguring New Covenant emblems. (Matthew 26:26-29)
- Unleavened bread (matzah): Genesis 19:3; symbolizes sinlessness; central to Passover (Exodus 12:8) and typifies Christ’s body at the Last Supper.
5. Christ’s Titles and Nature in John
- John 1:1-51 presents multiple titles: Word (Logos), Lamb of God, only begotten Son, Son of God, Jesus of Nazareth, Rabbi, King of Israel, among others, establishing a multifaceted identity.
- The Son of Man: Christ’s preferred self-title linking humanity and dominion, with heavenly origin (John 3:13; John 6:62; John 8:23-28); not featured in the prison epistles, thus distinct from the “Church of the Mystery” but is part of The Mystery of Christ (Ephesians 1:20-23; Ephesians 3:3-5; Colossians 4:3)
- Dual nature: John 1:1–3 affirms the Word as God and Creator; Philippians 2:6 shows preexistence in “the form of God “ before incarnation; the teacher contrasts Jewish expectations of a purely human Messiah with the biblical witness to Christ’s deity. The expectations of the Jewish Messiah did not go as far as being Divine :
6. Christ as the True Bread of Life (John 6:31-33,41,51,54,58) who came down from heaven (John 8:23) The true living bread to be consumed
- The three groups seperately addressed by Christ – Audience segments after feeding the five thousand: The unbelieving Jews (John 6:31–36), The believing Jews (John 6:37–59), The 12 disciples (John 6:60–71). Bread, Believe & Betrayal : Sustenance, Sustainability, The Son of Man & The Seal of approval development of theme (John 6:27)
- Jesus corrects attribution of manna to Moses (John 6:32), identifying the Father as provider and Himself as the “true bread from heaven.”
- Manna was temporal and decayed; Christ satisfies spiritual hunger and thirst, granting eternal life (John 6:35), with the promise to raise believers “at the last day” (John 6:39–40).
- Theology of “sent” and “send”: apostello (commissioned, past) vs pempo (to send, future); John 20:21 frames Christ as the sent mediator, sending the disciples in their future ministry (Acts 1:8)
7. The Father’s Role in Salvation and Christ’s Exclusive Vision of the Father
- The Father draws individuals to Christ (John 6:44–45), and Christ raises them “at the last day,” integrating divine initiative and consummation. The last day references are found in (John 6: 39,40,44,54; John 11:24-25;12:48)
- John 6:45 “They shall all be taught of God” indicates that recognition of Jesus’ true identity requires divine revelation. Present & future age.
- Only Christ has seen the Father (John 6:46), grounded in his eternal fellowship as the Word (John 1:1), distinguishing mediated theophanies (cloud, fire) from Christ’s unique perception of the Father’s essence.
8. “I AM” Claims and Heavenly Origin (John 8) Greek “Ego Eimi”
- “You are from beneath; I am from above…not of this world” (John 8:23) highlighting Christ’s heavenly origins as coming down from above :
- “If you believe not that I am (ego eimi), you shall die in your sins” (John 8:24) links Jesus to Exodus 3:14; “Before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58) prompts attempted stoning (8:59), showing perceived divine self-identification.
- Jesus speaks only what the Father taught; recognition of his identity accompanies the lifting up of the Son of Man (John 3:13-14; John 8:28; John 12:32-34)
9. Son of Man: Descent, Lifting Up, Ascension John 3:13-14; John 6:62; John 8:28; John 12:32,34. Lifted up in Greek is Hupoo, this point to the cross, the last hour (John 12:23,27; John 13:1; John 17:1)
- John 3:14 prefigures crucifixion (“lifted up”); John 6:62 anticipates ascension “where he was before,” affirming preexistence; John 1:51 and John 3:13 frame the ascend-descend-ascend trajectory central to his mission.The Descent is Christ’s incarnation as “The Word made flesh” John 1:14 Immanuel – God with us (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:20-23) God manifested in the flesh (1 Timothy 3:16)
10. Typology of Manna and the Incarnation
- Manna, originating in heaven and becoming physical upon descent, typifies the Word becoming flesh: Christ existed in the form of God without a physical body until conception by the Holy Spirit; his incarnation provides true spiritual sustenance surpassing temporary physical provision.He is the true living bread who provides spiritual nourishment and everlasting life & guaranteeds a future resurrection on the last day (John 6:39,40,44,49,54)
- Israel’s forty years of manna highlight the insufficiency of physical bread compared to the eternal life offered by feeding on Christ. John 6:45 from temporal bread to eternal which provides spiritual life & assurance of a future resurrection on “The last day”Questions
Further Studies
- Read and study Exodus 16:1–15; document manna’s characteristics and Israel’s response. Note all “The Murmurings” constant complaining by the children of Israel over the issue of food :
- Read John chapters 1, 3, and 6; compare Exodus 16:1–15 with John 6:31–35 and trace ten “coming down from heaven” references in John 6:22-59 A repeated reference by Christ :
- Compare “I AM” statements in John 6:22-59 and John 8:58 with Exodus 3:14; note linguistic and theological connections (ego eimi). Christ’s open statements regarding himself & his true identity are brought to the forefront:
- Analyze John 3:14; John 6:62; John 8:28; John 12:32,34 and John 8:28 to outline the Son of Man’s descent, lifting up, and ascension; explain soteriological implications.
- Reflect on differing meanings of the Lord’s ascension for the original disciples versus members of the Body of Christ today. Major key differences for the disciples of Christ as to the ascension as compared to the members of The Body of Christ.
- Examine Genesis 18:1–19:29 for Abraham’s encounters; relate John 8:56 (“Abraham rejoiced to see my day”) to these events. Did Abraham know of The Gospel of Christ?
- Summarize the Father’s drawing and teaching and Christ’s role in resurrection “on the last day,” using the cited passages in John 6:31-59 in relation to John 11:24-25.
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