Listen to the lecture here:
Date: 2026-07-15
Location: Chapel of the Open Book, 52A Wilson Street, London
Teacher: Archie
Summary
This is part of a biblical study series on the ascension of Christ, presented by the Berean Publishing Trust CIO. The teacher (Archie) lays the groundwork for understanding the ascension by examining related Old and New Testament concepts, presenting a biblical-theological exposition of Jesus Christ’s identity and mission. The study delves into Genesis 28:10-22, analyzing Jacob’s dream of a ladder to heaven Genesis 28:12 as a prefiguration of Christ. It outlines the six primary expectations of the Jewish Messiah according to rabbinic tradition, such as being a descendant of David and rebuilding the Temple, but critiques this list for omitting the Messiah’s divine nature. This study emphasizes Christ’s dual nature (humanity and divinity), tracing themes of incarnation, priesthood, suffering, atoning death, resurrection, and ascension through scripture, to highlight that many in Israel overlooked the suffering servant role. The teacher outlines four stages of Christ’s work—incarnation, death, resurrection, and ascension—illustrated as a V-shaped descent and ascent.
The discussion also distinguishes between the rapture/appearing of Christ for the body of Christ (a “joining” in heavenly places) an15 July 2026 : Archie Falisi : Biblical Study on the Ascension of Christd the visible physical return of Christ to “gather” Israel into the promised land. Theological paradoxes, such as Christ manifesting as both the Son of Man and the Ancient of Days (Daniel 7:9-14), are explored to explain His ability to be in two places at once and His omnipresence. The common use of “where two or three are gathered” is clarified as referring to a judicial context of witnesses, not general prayer. The study concludes with a brief discussion announcements for upcoming events, including a Sunday session with Michael Garstang, a Northern Conference in Manchester on August 15, a chapel anniversary meeting in September, and a CRE event in October. The series will continue next week, focusing on the “three A’s”: Anointed, Atonement, Ascended.
Knowledge Points
1. Introduction to the Biblical Study Series
Series Focus: The Ascension of Christ
The overall study series is leading up to the ascension of Christ, His return to heaven, and His seating at the right hand of the Father.
The study explores the Hebrew and Greek words for “descend” and “ascend.”
Current Session’s Topics
Analysis of Jacob’s dream in Genesis 28:10-22.
Israel’s expectations of their Messiah in Luke 1:67-79; Luke 2:36-38; Luke 23:50-51.
New Testament expectations of the Messiah, particularly in the Gospel of John (John 1:51; John 3:13; John 6:62) highlighting the ascension.
The importance of the ascension for the body of Christ, with a future look at Ephesians 4:8-10; Colossians 3:1-4; Philippians 3:20-21.
2. Christ’s Identity and Dual Nature
Incarnation and Emmanuel
Hebrews 1:1–14 highlights the Son as the exact representation of God, affirming both divinity and humanity. Son, Saviour, and Sovereign.
Isaiah 7:14 names Him “Emmanuel,” interpreted as “God with us,” signifying God manifested in the flesh (John 1:14).
1 Timothy 3:16 speaks of the “mystery of godliness,” that God was manifested in the flesh.
Son of Man and Ancient of Days in Daniel 7
Daniel 7:9-14 presents a paradox with the Son of Man (humanity) and the Ancient of Days (divinity) interacting, identified as two manifestations of Christ. This illustrates His capacity to be “two in one” and present in multiple places.
Omnipresence
Christ’s ability to be with multiple gatherings simultaneously (“where two or three are gathered”) is rooted in God’s omnipresence.
3. Messianic Expectations Versus Scriptural Revelation
Israel’s Six Key Expectations (Rabbinic Tradition)
Correct Genealogy: Descended from King David.
2 Samuel 7:1-29; Isaiah 9:6-7; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Matthew 1:1-17; Luke 1:31-33; Luke 2:1-14; Luke 3:23-38
Anointed King of Israel: Anointed by oil or the Spirit.
Psalm 45:1-8; Hebrews 1:8-9 (oil); Isaiah 61:1-3; Luke 4:18-19 (Spirit)
Regathering the Jewish People: From diaspora back to Israel.
Isaiah 11:11-16; Ezekiel 28:25; Ezekiel 34:13; Ezekiel 37:21; Ezekiel 38:8; Matthew 24:29-31 (This event will only occur at the return of Christ).
Rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem.
Zehariah 6:12-15; Ezekiel 40:1-48:35; (This event will take place during the millennial reign of Christ.)
Bringing Peace to the World.
Isaiah 2:1-4; Isaiah 9:6-7; Isaiah 11:1-9; Isaiah 65:25; Revelation 20:1-6
Bringing Knowledge of God to the World.
Isaiah 11:9; Habakkuk 2:14; Jeremiah 31:34
Missing and Overlooked Aspects
The rabbinic list omits the Messiah’s divine nature.
Many teachers overlooked the suffering servant role (Isaiah 53:1-12), the need for atonement (John 1:29), and the conquest of death through resurrection (Revelation 1:18).
Genealogy and Anointing
Matthew 1:1-17 affirms Jesus as “the Son of David, the Son of Abraham,” with a structured genealogy in sets of fourteen.
Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit at His baptism (Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22), inaugurating His public ministry.
4. Typology and Symbolism
Jacob’s Dream (Genesis 28:10-22)
At Bethel (“house of God”), Jacob dreamt of a ladder to heaven with angels ascending and descending, a vision of angelic activity.
He anointed a stone pillar, which is presented as a prefiguration of Christ, the “stone of Israel” (“eben”), being anointed for public ministry.
Christ as the Stone in Scripture
Chief Cornerstone: (Ephesians 2:20) in the temple of the body of Christ.
Living/Elect Stone: (1 Peter 2:4) in relation to Israel.
Stumbling Stone: (Isaiah 8:14) for those who reject Him, including the nation of Israel.
5. Four Stages of Christ’s Work: The V-Shaped Descent and Ascent
1. Incarnation: Conception by the Holy Spirit and human birth through Mary (Matthew 1:18-21), foundation for redemption. The name “Jesus” means “savior,” and “Emmanuel” means “God with us.”
2. Redemption (Death): Sacrificial death on the cross for atonement, fulfilling the first prophetic promise of Genesis 3:15 (the seed of the woman bruising the serpent’s head).
3. Resurrection: Victory over sin and death, holding the keys of Hades and death (Revelation 1:18; John 11:25).
4. Ascension: Return to His glorified pre-incarnate position. Two ascensions are noted: a “secret” one on resurrection morning (John 20:17) and the public one at the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem (Acts 1:9–12).
6. Eschatology: Appearing, Return, and Millennial Reign
Appearing vs. Physical Return
Joining (Appearing): The body of Christ will ascend to be “joined” with Christ in heavenly places (Colossians 3:1-4; Philippians 3:20-21; 2 Timothy 4:1; Revelation 19:11-21).
Gathering (Return): The visible, physical return of Christ involves “gathering” Israel from the four corners of the earth into the promised land. By the time of the return in Revelation 19:11-21, the body of Christ is understood to already be in heaven.
The Future Temple
A temple will be rebuilt before Christ’s return (Revelation 11:1-3) but will be desecrated by the beast (the abomination of desolation). This temple may be destroyed by an earthquake (Revelation 11:4-14).
The Messiah Himself (“The Branch”) will build the final, millennial temple upon His return (Zechariah 6:12-13; Ezekiel 47-48).
Geographical Changes and Millennial Reign
At His return, Christ’s feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which will split in two (Zechariah 14:3-4), destroying any standing temple.
During the 1,000-year millennial reign, Satan will be bound (revelation 20:1-3), and Christ will rule from Jerusalem as King and Priest, bringing global peace and knowledge of God.
7. King-Priest Theme and Melchizedekian Priesthood
Psalm 110:4 and Zechariah 6:12-13 identify the Messiah (“the Branch”) as both King and Priest.
Hebrews 5:1-7:28 expounds on Christ’s unique high priesthood in the order of Melchizedek, combining both offices in one person.
8. Exegesis and Theological Clarifications
“Two or Three Gathered”
This phrase is clarified as pertaining to a legal/judicial context of establishing matters by witnesses, not a prerequisite for God’s presence in prayer. This is contrasted with Jesus’ instruction to pray in a “secret chamber.” (Matthew 6:6)
Martyrdom
The term “martyr” (martyrion) originally meant “witness” but evolved to mean someone killed for their faith due to persecution (e.g., Stephen, the two witnesses in Revelation 11:1-14).
Jesus’ Compassion and Judgment
Jesus wept over Lazarus’s death (John 11:35), showed compassion empathy with Mary and Martha. The second occassion when Jesus wept was over Jerusalem’s failure to recognize “the time of thy visitation” (Luke 19:41–44), foretelling the temple’s destruction in 70 AD.
9. Contemporary and Practical Reflections
Community and Fellowship
A participant reflected on “ascenders” (those who build up) and “descenders” (those who tear down) within spiritual communities.
Fellowship and continued participation in the study, both in-person and on Zoom, are encouraged.
10. Upcoming Sessions and Events
Immediate Schedule:
Sunday: Michael Garstang will speak on Zoom for the Berean Bible study, and Graham Thomason will lead a Hebrew lesson.
Next Wednesday: The study will continue, focusing on the “three A’s”—Anointed, Atonement, Ascended.
Conferences and Meetings:
August 15: Northern Conference in Manchester.
End of September: Second Annual Anniversary Meeting at the chapel.
October: CRE Event at Sandown Park.
Further Studies
☐ Study the Hebrew and Greek words for “descend” and “ascend”.
☐ Review key passages: Genesis 3:15 & 28:10-22; Psalm 110:1-7; Isaiah 7:14, 8:14 & 53:1-12; Ezekiel 47-48; Zechariah 6:12-13 & 14:3-4; Daniel 7:9-14; Matthew 1:1-17; Luke 19:41-44; John 1:1-51, 20:17; Acts 1:9-12; Ephesians 2:20 & 4:8-10; Hebrews 1:1-14 & 5:1-7:28; 1 Peter 2:4; Revelation 1:18, 11:1-14, & 19:11-21.
☐ Compare Israel’s traditional messianic expectations with the scriptural portrayal of the suffering, divine, and resurrected Messiah.
☐ Map the “V-shaped” four stages of Christ’s work (incarnation, death, resurrection, ascension) with supporting verses.
☐ Analyze the distinction between the public ascension (Acts 1:9-11) and the resurrection-morning ascension (John 20:17).
☐ Read Mr. Welch’s booklet “Is God a Person?” to study the paradox of God’s essence and nature.
☐ Examine the biblical context of “where two or three are gathered” versus private prayer.
☐ Monitor the Joints and Bands and website for details on the Northern Conference (Aug 15), chapel anniversary (Sept), and CRE event (Oct).
☐ Personal reflection: Identify “ascenders” and “descenders” in your spiritual community and commit to prayer and support for those pursuing truth.
Full transcript