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Continuing from part four, the main point we've established, is that the Lord did possess a physical body following His Resurrection, and there is no Scriptural evidence to suggest that He acquired anything different from that time, until the time of His Ascension to Heaven. So what does that tell us about the Ascension? If Jesus was in a physical body, and if the cloud which received Him -- or welcomed Him, see our previous discussion -- was really just a regular cloud made up of water vapor, how could it possibly support the weight of a physical human being who has both weight and mass? As we have already seen, according to the laws of nature, it is a total impossibility. Therefore, it forces us to adjust our understanding of what may have really occurred in the first chapter of the Book of Acts.

Since I have already put myself way out on the limb with this series, allow me to again suggest a very unorthodox interpretation of those events. But before I do so, let me first share those verses with you again in order to refresh your memory. Luke writes as follows:

"And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 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."


First of all, notice that those verses do not say that Jesus ascended under His own power. We are told that He was taken up, which implies an external, intelligent force, just as I mentioned earlier. The Greek word used here is "epairo", and the Greek lexicon defines it as meaning to lift up, to raise up, to raise on high. So what we are being told here is that someone, or something, lifted Jesus up from the ground, and then carried Him to this waiting "cloud" which received Him, or welcomed Him, so that the Apostles could no longer see Him.

The Apostles stood there awed, looking up into the sky as this unbelievable event transpired before their very eyes, until two "men", who were obviously Angelic Messengers, told them that Jesus would return in the same manner in which He had just left them. So once again, I can't help but wonder if that cloud might not have been a "Celestial Craft" which used its "Tractor Beam" to transport Jesus aboard, before departing for the Headquarters of the Father's Kingdom.

The final event we will re-examine, is the ascension of the Two Sackcloth Witnesses of Revelation chapter eleven. In doing so, once again we encounter the very same problem if we consider the nature of clouds, and the fact that it is physically impossible for them to support the weight of any human being, much less lift them up from the ground. Yet that is what we force ourselves to accept, if we interpret the following verses to mean a natural cloud formation:

"And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them."


Let me call to your attention again, that just as with the Lord's Resurrection, there is no mention here of the Two Sackcloth Witnesses having their bodies transformed in any way. Perhaps they really did, and for some unknown reason, John simply didn't make it plain to us. I have suggested in other articles, such as in "The Two Sackcloth Witnesses of Revelation 11", that the ascension of the Two Sackcloth Witnesses may possibly coincide with Christ's return in the clouds, and the Resurrection of the Saints at the sound of the Last Trump. As we know, it is at that time when the physical bodies of the Saints are transformed according to the words of the Apostle Paul, as we see here:

"Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."


So, if my speculation regarding the ascension of the Two Sackcloth Witnesses occurring at the same time is correct, perhaps the voice they hear, which tells them to "Come up hither", may be the voice of the very same Archangel we discussed in part four in these verses:

"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which 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."


There is additional evidence which suggests that these Two Sackcloth Witnesses are raised at the Seventh Trump, or possibly just before it. Please note that Paul does say that the dead in Christ are raised first, to be followed by the ascension of the living. Right after John mentions the ascension of the Two Sackcloth Witnesses, he states that in that very same hour, a great earthquake strikes Jerusalem, in which 7,000 people are killed; and then immediately after this calamity, we read of the Seventh Trump in verse fifteen:

"And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever."


So, as you can see, there is a very clear link between some of the things which were said, taught and written by Jesus, Paul and John regarding the Resurrection and the Rapture.

On the other hand, if these Two Sackcloth Witnesses are not transformed in any way, that again implies that they may still possess the same physical bodies as they did prior to their murder by the unbelievers in Jerusalem. So again, if we base our interpretation of all of these events on the known physical laws of nature, there is simply no way that the clouds mentioned in these various accounts which we have now re-examined, can be natural formations. They must be something else. Something very unique.

If some of you are still not convinced of this point, allow me to introduce another scientific fact which further adds weight to my challenge of the traditional interpretation of all of these verses. I am by no means a scientist by any definition of the word. I understand very little regarding how our physical world operates. However, based upon what modern science teaches us -- I do question a lot of it -- we are given to understand that the ability of a planet to sustain any kind of an atmosphere, is based in part on the strength of its gravitational field. Thus, by God's design, planet Earth has an atmosphere which is rich in nitrogen, oxygen, small quantities of rare gases, carbon dioxide, water vapor, etc., and consequently supports an amazing diversity of life forms, including ourselves.

But herein lies the dilemma. You see, in the New Testament, the words "heaven" and "heavens" are derived from the Greek word "ouranos". It is from this same Greek word that the planet Uranus derives its name. Uranus was the Greek god of the sky, the personification of Heaven, and the ruler of the world.

But this Greek word is not only used in the Bible to refer to Heaven, or the Kingdom of Heaven. It also happens to be translated as "sky" five times; meaning that region of our atmosphere where clouds are located and where birds fly. It is also translated as "air" ten times. In three places, where the phrase "midst of heaven" is found, the original Greek word used is "mesouranema". Finally, "ouranos" also refers to outer space where the Sun, Moon, stars and planets are located. So regardless of which one of these things we are talking about, the Greek word which is always used is "ouranos".

But that is only half of the problem. In the accounts we've been studying, we are told that Jesus and others were taken to Heaven by these clouds. If we accept the traditional view that these are natural cloud formations, and if we believe, as scientists tell us, that the Earth's primary cloud layers exist in the troposphere, which only extends about six to twelve miles above the ground, depending on what part of the world we live in, then we run into a problem.

If most clouds exist in the troposphere, with a few managing to survive in the thinner and drier stratosphere above it, how is it even possible for natural clouds to take anyone to Heaven, if it were even possible for them to do so? The only way to answer this would be to say that Heaven -- that is, the Kingdom of Heaven, that Celestial Place where God, Jesus and the Angels currently dwell -- is not located in some far-off place deep in Outer Space, but rather in our very own atmosphere!

Now, let me ask you something. What if that is indeed true? What if our idea of a distant Heaven has been totally wrong? Just in thinking about this, I am reminded of a verse I shared with you earlier which would certainly seem to lend weight to this possibility. Here it is again:

"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,"


If Heaven -- that is, the Kingdom of Heaven, where God and the Angels dwell -- is indeed located somewhere in the very atmosphere which surrounds the Earth, then Paul writing that we "are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses" makes perfect sense. Consider also the following verse where the Greek word "epouranios" is translated as "high places":

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."


And then we have this well-known verse, which I have shared on many occasions, where the Greek word "aer" is used, meaning the lower regions of the atmosphere:

"Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:"


As I have pointed out before, it is my personal belief that the previous two verses are referring to none other than Satan and his minions, who is the current false god of this world, as we see by this verse:

"In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them."


So, with all of the previous verses and explanations, it is hard to dismiss the possibility that the Kingdom of Heaven may be much closer than we realize. On the other hand, if it isn't, and if it is truly located somewhere out there in the depths of Outer Space at the level of "the third heaven", as the Apostle Paul calls it, then that brings us right back to our original problem. That is this: Exactly how were Jesus and other individuals transported there? Certainly not by normal, natural clouds, because most of them cannot exist beyond the troposphere.

Allow me to ask you another question. If you wanted to rise above the cloud layer which surrounds the Earth, at least the lower clouds, how would you go about accomplishing it? If you have ever taken a commercial flight anywhere, then chances are that you have already done it. I remember my very first experience in an airplane over forty years ago. At the time, I was on my way to Japan. I was totally amazed the first time that I looked out the window. As I gazed down below me, I erroneously assumed that I was looking at snow fields, only to soon realize that I was actually looking down at the tops of the clouds. What a breath-taker that was!

So, my point is this: If I had to take an artificial man-made craft in order to rise above the clouds, doesn't it also seem to make sense that if the Lord was still in a physical body following His miraculous Resurrection from the Dead, as the Bible seems to suggest, and if His body was still subject to the physical laws which apply to this earthly life -- meaning that it still had weight and mass, and still required oxygen in order to survive -- that He too may possibly have required one of His Father's "Celestial Craft", in order to return to His Heavenly Home, wherever that is? Can we not also apply these same questions to the Two Sackcloth Witnesses of the eleventh chapter of the Book of Revelation?

To conclude this series, allow me to offer a few additional comments. First of all, as I noted earlier, I realize that there will undoubtedly be a certain sector of Christians who will be rather offended by some of the things I have stated in this series. Some Christians may possibly even accuse me of blasphemy, or of being a New Age advocate, which I most certainly am not. Some people may possibly question how I dare to associate the Almighty God with UFOs and advanced technology. To suggest these possibilities, as I have done, may even be interpreted by some people as an attempt on my part to strip God of some of His greatness, and reduce Him to more of a human level. As I point out in other articles, this happens to be an error of New Age advocates. After all, if God is who He says He is in His Word, and if He is who we Christians presume Him to be, then why would He even have the need to utilize the theoretical "Celestial Craft" which I have proposed in this series?

In fact, there are some verses which would seem to point to the fact that such "Celestial Craft" are not even necessary; because both before and after His Resurrection, it seems that Jesus had complete power and control over the physical elements. For example, as many of you will already know, the Sea of Galilee was calmed by the command of His voice, as we see by the following verses:

"And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"


Many of you will also be familiar with the story of how Jesus walked upon the Sea of Galilee in the middle of the night, and then bid Peter to do the same, as we see here:

"And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God."


You will also recall that following the Lord's Resurrection from the Dead, even though Jesus was still in some form of physical body, if we understand him correctly, John seems to be saying that the Lord entered the room where the Apostles were hiding from the authorities, even though the doors were locked. In other words, the impression we are given, is that the Lord passed right through physical structures, as we see here:

"And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you."


So quite frankly, I concur with these thoughts; and I have in fact been forced to ponder this very same dilemma again, as I have updated this series from its original form written many years ago. To be quite honest, I am unable to provide a satisfactory answer to this question, either for myself, or for anyone else, regarding why the Lord would even need such "Celestial Craft", being as the elements are already subject to Him. Yet the Scriptural evidence seems to be there which supports the existence of such craft. Exactly how physical, or non-physical they are, is another question. Again, Jesus was clearly in a physical form following His Resurrection from the Dead. He could be touched; He could eat and drink; and yet, He also possessed powers which were clearly not of this world.

So, I honestly don't know how to find harmony between our current understanding of who God is, and the many unusual passages we've examined in this series, which seem to create an image of God which appears to go beyond our traditional understanding of Him. Like myself, many of you have grown up with an image of an all-powerful, unseen, wrathful God who dwells in some remote, undiscovered corner of the Universe, where He is accompanied by St. Peter and the Angels, who sit on fluffy clouds and play harps all day. Yet in this series I've presented a picture of a more technologically-savvy God who zips around in UFOs. So how do we reconcile these two very opposing images, both of which appear to have a strong Scriptural basis?

Let me make it clear that my purpose in writing this series has not been to dishonor or to disrespect God, or to in any way try to rob Him of the image we humans have of His Power and Greatness. It has merely been my personal endeavor to study, analyze and comprehend the many unusual events we find in the pages of the Holy Bible, with an open mind, not clouded by ecclesiastical tradition or other influences. As I have already stated, even if we were to strip away every single theory and speculation that I have presented here, and even if we were to dismiss every single verse with which we can provide a more mundane explanation, we would still be left with a preponderance of evidence which is suggestive of a very technologically-advanced God.

If I am wrong about any of the things I have stated in this series, then it is due to simple human error on my part, and not due to a malicious attempt to deny God of His greatness, or to lead His children astray; and I would hope that you the reader would forgive me, even as I would hope that God would forgive my folly as well. As it is written:

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."


"O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!"


On the other hand, if I am right about at least some of the things I have written here, then perhaps we are not dealing with UFOs in the traditional sense at all. Perhaps their true nature has been made known to us all along, but we have simply been either too blinded by ecclesiastical tradition, or perhaps too stubborn to really want to see it. If that is the case -- it is up to you to decide that -- then it is time for all of us to remove the blinders and see things for what they really are. The only way to rid ourselves of the darkness of ignorance, is by letting in the truth and light of God's Word. That may require some revolutionary ways of thinking for some of us.

With these thoughts, I will bring this article to a close. It is my hope that you have found it informative, enlightening, and I pray that it has been a blessing in your life as well. If you have an account with Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr or with any other social network, I would really appreciate if you'd take the time to click or tap on the corresponding link that is found on this page. Thanks so much, and may God bless you abundantly!

For additional information and further study, you may want to refer to the list of reading resources below which were either mentioned in this article, or which contain topics which are related to this article. All of these articles are likewise located on the Bill's Bible Basics web server. To read these articles, simply click or tap on any link you see below.

Alien Life, Extrasolar Planets And Universal Atonement
Science and Technology: The Forbidden Knowledge?
Keeping Things in Proper Perspective: ET, Where Are You?
Alien Intervention, Raelians, Pyramids and Nazca Geoglyphs
Billy Meier and the Pleiadian UFO Encounter
Comet Hale-Bopp, Chernobyl and Deathstar Wormwood
Heaven's Gate, Suicide and Other Death Cults
Heaven's Gate: A Subliminal Message Concealed in Their Logo?
Nature of the Alien: ETS, Demons or a Government Plot?
The Nibiru, Planet X, Wormwood Controversy
Chariots of Fire : A Voluntary Voyage to Heaven?
"Birth of Jesus and the Star of Bethlehem
"Jesus Christ's Return: Have We Been Deceived?

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