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No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is the Son of Man who is in heaven" (john 3:13)" -also- "For I came down from heaven" (joh 6:38) (39:3) see Many Christians believe that Jesus' appearances after his crucifixion were of His physical body. This belief is based upon a literal (physical) interpretation of the scripture; particularly this appearance reported by Luke: (39:4) And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace [be] unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. (luk 24:36-39). Jesus then even ate some fish. (39:5) see They were frightened and this may have been simply reassurance that Jesus was not a ghost (suddenly appearing). Although the disciples commonly did not immediately recognize Jesus' "celestial" body (1co 15:39-40), Heavenly Visions apparently seem completely real. When Moses and Elias appeared with Jesus during His transfiguration on a high mountain, Peter asked Jesus if they should build a shelter for them to stay in. This, of course, was not necessary, for Jesus later explained that it was a Vision (mat 17:4 & 9) [-ed] (39:6) see Consider also Paul's encounter with the resurrected Christ on the road to Damascus which is described as a Heavenly Vision (acts 26:19) [-ed] (39:7) see Paul must have had a similar experience, because he afterward said: "I knew a man.. whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell.." (2cor 12:2) [-ed] (39:8) see Consider Christ & Peter's meeting with Moses & Elias on Mt. Tabor: "Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.. And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead. (mat 17:4 and 9) [-ed] (39:9) see Baha'i Quote: "Thou didst ask as to the transfiguration of Jesus, with Moses and Elias and the Heavenly Father on Mount Tabor, as referred to in the Bible. This occurrence was perceived by the disciples with their INNER EYE, wherefore it was a secret hidden away, and was a SPIRITUAL discovery of theirs. Otherwise, if the intent be that they witnessed physical forms, that is, witnessed that transfiguration with their outward eyes, then there were MANY OTHERS at hand on that plain and mountain, and why did they FAIL to BEHOLD IT? And why did the Lord charge them that they should TELL NO MAN? It is clear that this was a SPIRITUAL VISION and a scene of the Kingdom. Wherefore did the Messiah bid them to keep this hidden, "till the Son of Man were risen from the dead" (Matthew 17:1-19); -- that is, until the Cause of God should be exalted, and the Word of God prevail, and the reality of Christ rise up. (see mark 9:2-9; luke 9:28-36) (sab 162). (39:10) see Here is the Harper's Bible Dictionary explanation of these appearances: "From 1 Cor. 15:3-8 we learn that faith in the resurrection was based not on the empty tomb, which Paul does not mention, but on the appearances of the Lord. The word used for 'appeared' is the same Greek word used elsewhere for visionary experiences. We may today characterize these experiences as revelatory disclosures from the transcendent realm. No distinction was drawn between the resurrection and ascension. The appearances are manifestations of the resurrected and already ascended Christ from heaven.".(js) (39:11) see Return The following predictions from the Bible are all True, but only a Spiritual Interpretation fits them all:
(40:1)
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