Paper 193 Overview: Final Appearances and Ascension

Jesus appeared many times to his followers after his resurrection, continuing to teach them about God's love and their mission to share his message. He gave them instructions to preach the gospel of the kingdom, which focused on God's fatherhood and man's brotherhood. These appearances in different places helped strengthen the believers' faith and prepared them for their future work.

Jesus made his final appearance to the apostles in Jerusalem before leading them to the Mount of Olives for his ascension to heaven. During his farewell, he reminded them to wait in Jerusalem for the Spirit of Truth and then go out to preach to the whole world. His ascension marked the end of his time on earth and the beginning of his followers' mission to spread his teachings.

Jesus made his sixteenth morontia appearance to about fifty believers at Nicodemus' house in Jerusalem. He taught them that his purpose was to reveal the heavenly Father to people on earth. He reminded them that their mission was to preach the gospel of the kingdom, which is about God's love and service to others.

Jesus urged his followers to go out and preach to all people about the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man. He told them he would send the Spirit of Truth to help them, and that he would always be with them. After speaking, he disappeared, and the believers spent the rest of the night discussing his teachings.

Jesus appeared for the seventeenth time to Nalda and about seventy-five Samaritan believers near Jacob's well at Sychar. He told them that salvation is God's gift to all who believe they are his children. He explained that accepting God as Father means also accepting the brotherhood of all people.

Jesus taught that loving your brother means treating him as part of your family and serving him as you would serve yourself. He instructed them to spread this good news to all people of every race and nation. After his message, the Samaritans were amazed and quickly spread the news about seeing Jesus.

Jesus made his eighteenth appearance to believers in Tyre. He explained that while the resurrection of the dead is important, it is not the main gospel message. He taught that the good news is about becoming sons of God through faith.

Jesus described the fruits of the divine spirit that true believers should show: loving service, unselfish devotion, courageous loyalty, sincere fairness, enlightened honesty, undying hope, confiding trust, merciful ministry, unfailing goodness, forgiving tolerance, and enduring peace. He promised that his Spirit of Truth would be with them as they shared this message with all nations.

Early Thursday morning, May 18, Jesus made his last appearance in Jerusalem to the eleven apostles. He reminded them to wait in Jerusalem until he sent the Spirit of Truth. When Simon Zelotes asked if Jesus would restore the kingdom, Jesus explained that they would receive spiritual power and go into all the world preaching the gospel.

Jesus warned against isolation and encouraged the apostles to trust and support each other. He then led them out to the Mount of Olives to say farewell. The journey was solemn, and no one spoke as they walked from the upper chamber to the mount.

In his farewell message, Jesus mentioned Judas's betrayal as a warning about the dangers of isolation. Judas went wrong mainly because he was an isolated personality who refused to confide in his fellow apostles. He failed to grow in love and spiritual grace, and he held onto grudges.

Judas had several weaknesses that led to his downfall: he was isolated and unsociable, he couldn't handle disappointment, he blamed others for his problems, he held grudges, he was dishonest with himself, and he refused to discuss his personal problems with friends. Unlike Thomas and Nathaniel who had similar tendencies but overcame them through love and trust, Judas never learned to confide in others or forgive.

Jesus arrived with his eleven apostles on the western slope of Mount Olivet early Thursday morning. From this spot about two-thirds of the way up the mountain, they could see Jerusalem and Gethsemane below. The apostles knelt in a circle around Jesus as he prepared to say his final farewell.

Jesus reminded the apostles to wait in Jerusalem until they received power from heaven through the Spirit of Truth. He instructed them to begin preaching the gospel first in Jerusalem and then throughout the world. Jesus encouraged them to love others as he had loved them and to serve others as he had served them.

After speaking these words, the morontia Master vanished from their sight. This ascension was like his other disappearances during the forty days after his resurrection. Jesus returned to Paradise through spiritual channels, where he received confirmation of his complete sovereignty over the universe of Nebadon.

Following Jesus' instructions, John Mark and others called together about 120 leading disciples at Mary Mark's home. Mary, the mother of Jesus, was present along with James, Jesus' brother. Peter reported on their final meeting with Jesus and his ascension.

Peter explained that they needed to choose someone to replace Judas. The apostles decided between Matthias and Justus, eventually selecting Matthias by casting lots. After his selection, Matthias was appointed treasurer, though he played a minor role in later activities. The apostles then returned to the upper chamber and prayed together, preparing to receive the Spirit that Jesus had promised.