Yes, Acts 1:9 describes a real, visible ascension of Jesus from the Mount of Olives, where a cloud (understood as a heavenly host) received Him out of the disciples' sight.
Les Feldick emphasizes that this was a physical, observable event. Jesus did not vanish in a puff of spirit or ascend via natural means like a rocket or airplane; He simply went up before their eyes. The cloud that received Him is interpreted as a heavenly host escorting Him into glory, not an ordinary weather cloud.
Acts 1:9 — This verse directly states that Jesus was taken up and a cloud received Him, which is the focus of the question.
Acts 1:9 (KJV) states: "And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight." This describes a literal, visible event. The disciples were watching as Jesus was lifted up, and a cloud obscured Him from their view. In Acts 1:10-11, two angels appear and ask, "Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." This confirms the physical nature of His departure and promises a visible, literal return. Scripture elsewhere connects the Mount of Olives with Jesus' return. Zechariah 14:4 (KJV) says, "And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives." This ties the location of the ascension to the future Second Coming.
Les Feldick teaches that the ascension was a real, physical event. He notes that Jesus had a resurrection body of flesh and bone, and He ascended visibly from the Mount of Olives, not by natural means like a rocket or airplane, but simply by His divine power. Les interprets the cloud that received Jesus as a heavenly host that escorted Him into glory, not a common cumulus cloud. Regarding the return, Les repeatedly emphasizes how Jesus left and how He will return. He humorously says, "He went head first, and He's going to come back feet first," meaning Jesus ascended headfirst and will return feet-first to stand on the Mount of Olives. This is based on Zechariah 14:4 and Acts 1:11. Les also compares the ascension to Elijah's and the two witnesses' ascension to heaven, noting that supernatural events are typical when God deals with Israel. Les also differentiates between Jesus' first ascension (after His resurrection, when He told Mary not to touch Him because He had not yet ascended to the Father) and His second ascension at the Mount of Olives recorded in Acts 1.
Les Feldick implies that the cloud that received Jesus was not an ordinary weather cloud but a heavenly host. He says, "the cloud that received him is understood not as an ordinary weather cloud, such as a cumulus cloud, but as a heavenly host. This host is pictured as ushering and escorting him into glory, taking him out of the disciples' sight." This is based on his teaching and the supernatural context of the event.
Yes. Les Feldick points to the angels' words in Acts 1:11, "This same Jesus... shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go." He explains that Jesus will return to the Mount of Olives, with His feet standing on that mountain (Zechariah 14:4). He humorously contrasts how Jesus left (headfirst) and how He will return (feet first).
Christ's Second Coming: What Acts 1 & Zechariah 14 Reveal
Les Feldick. An Oklahoma rancher and farmer, Les Feldick has been teaching homestyle Bible classes for 20 years in Iowa, Oklahoma, and Texas. Les Feldick's unique style of Bible teaching has made the books of the Bible come to life. When Les is teaching, it's so interesting that people say time just seems to fly by. And now, here is Les Feldick.
Physical Ascension and Return
Les reads Acts 1:9-11 and emphasizes that Jesus' ascension was physical and visible; he humorously notes He left headfirst and will return feet first to the Mount of Olives.
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"...we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord." Now just for a quick comparison of Scripture, I want to bring you all the way back. First let's stop in Acts chapter 1. Here they are on the Mount of Olives, the same Mount of Olives that we visit every time we go to Jerusalem.
Comparison with Two Witnesses
Les compares the miraculous ascension of the two witnesses to Christ's ascension, noting that when God deals with Israel, the supernatural is common.
Ascension Not a Spirit Puff
Les clarifies Jesus did not ascend as a spirit or in a puff of cloud; He physically ascended and will physically return to stand on the Mount of Olives.
Return to Mount of Olives
Les repeats that Jesus will return feet first to stand on the Mount of Olives, ushering in the kingdom, and that believers will come with Him.
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Touch me not, for I am not yet, what's the next word, ascended to my Father, but go to my brethren, that would be to the eleven, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father, to my God, and to your God. Now I call this the first ascension. The second ascension, of course, would be in Acts chapter 1, when He left from the Mount of Olives, as the disciples watched Him go.
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But go to my brethren, that is to the eleven especially, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, your Father, to my God and to your God. And so Mary immediately then goes and tells the eleven, and then as I said later in the chapter, Jesus appears to them, and He tells them to touch Him, to handle Him, make sure. Alright, so what did He do? Again, we have to go to the book of Hebrews.
Acts 1:9: And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
The primary verse describing Jesus' ascension and the cloud receiving Him.
Acts 1:10: And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
The disciples' reaction and the appearance of two angelic figures.
Acts 1:11: Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
The angels promise that Jesus will return in the same visible manner.
Zechariah 14:4: And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.
Prophecy that Jesus will return to the Mount of Olives, fulfilling Acts 1:11.
Yes, Les Feldick emphasizes that Jesus had a physical resurrection body of flesh and bone. He walked, talked, and ate with the disciples, and His ascension was a visible, physical event.
No. Les Feldick clarifies that Jesus did not use a rocket, airplane, or jet. He simply went up before the disciples' eyes by divine power.
Yes, the angels in Acts 1:11 promise that Jesus will return 'in like manner' as He went. Les Feldick teaches that He will return to the Mount of Olives, with His feet standing on that mountain.
Watch the Teaching: Christ's Second Coming: What Acts 1 & Zechariah 14 Reveal