The Holy Spirit through the prophets also testifies to the Ascension of the Messiah-Christ and to the exodus to the preaching of Christ's disciples. Thus the holy prophet Zechariah says: "And His feet shall stand in that day on the Mount of Olives, which is before the face of Jerusalem towards the east." The Holy Prophet David speaks of the same in Psalm 67, verse 19: "Thou hast ascended on high, hast taken captivity captive, hast received gifts for men."

The explanation of the meaning of these words is found in the Apostle Paul in the Epistle to the Ephesians chapter 4: "Wherefore it is said, Having ascended on high, he took captivity captive, and gave gifts to men." And what does "ascended" mean, if not that He descended first into the lowest places of the earth? He who has descended, He is also He who has ascended above all the heavens, that He may fill all things."

What was foretold in the prophets was exactly fulfilled in history. Thus, the holy Evangelist Mark says: "Therefore the Lord, after conversing with them, ascended into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God" (chapter 16, verse 19).

Saint Luke in his Gospel relates: "And He brought them out of the city as far as Bethany, and lifting up His hands, He blessed them, and began to depart from them, and ascend into heaven. They worshipped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they were always in the temple, glorifying and blessing God. Amen" (chapter 24, verses 50-53).

The same Evangelist Luke in his "Acts" tells us interesting details of this event: "Having said this. He rose up in their eyes, and a cloud took Him out of their sight. And as they looked up into heaven, while he was ascending, suddenly two men in white robes stood before them, and said, Men of Galilee! Why do you stand and look up to heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you saw Him go into heaven. Then they returned from the mountain called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, at the distance of the Sabbath journey..." (Chapter 1, verses 9-12).

Regarding the spread of the light of Christ's Gospel in the pagan world, we find the following in the prophets:

1) Zechariah: "And it shall come to pass in that day, that living waters shall flow out of Jerusalem, half of them to the sea of the east, and half of them to the sea of the west."

2) The prophet Isaiah: "And he said, It is not enough that you will be my servant for the restoration of the tribes of Jacob, and for the restoration of the remnant of Israel; but I will make thee the light of the nations, that my salvation may extend to the ends of the earth" (Isaiah, chapter 49, verse 6).

And in another place: "I, the Lord, have called thee into righteousness, and will hold thee by the hand, and keep thee, and will make thee a covenant for the people, for a light for the Gentiles, to open the eyes of the blind, to bring the prisoners out of prison, and those who sit in darkness out of prison" (Isaiah 42:6, 7).

And in the 9th chapter of the prophet Isaiah: "The former time made the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali diminished; but what follows will magnify the coastal route, beyond the Jordan country, the pagan Galilee. The people who walk in darkness will know a great light: a light will shine on those who dwell in the land of the shadow of death."

3) In the prophet Malachi: "For from the east of the sun to the west my name will be great among the nations, and in every place they will offer incense to my name, a pure sacrifice; great shall be my name among the nations, saith the Lord of hosts" (Mal., ch.1, verse 11).

Simeon the God-Receiver saw the same thing, being filled with the All-Holy Spirit: "Now lettest Thou Thy servant, O Lord, according to Thy word, in peace; for my eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all nations, a light for the enlightenment of the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel" (Luke, chapter 2, verses 29-32).

After His resurrection, our Lord Jesus Christ appeared to His disciples and commanded Him in the fullness of Divine power: "... Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew, chapter 28, verse 19).

Also in the Holy Evangelist Mark: "... go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature, whosoever believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but whoever does not believe will be condemned" (Mark, ch. 16, v. 15-16).