From Christ's resurrection to ascension is 40 days. Why 40 days?
Acts 1:3, 9 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: ... And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
10 days after ascension was Pentecost when the Spirit was poured out.
Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
So, why not 35 or 45 days? Why 40 days?
The brief answer is it corresponds to the 40 days from His birth to presentation at the temple.
Luke 2:22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present [him] to the Lord;
Cyril of Jerusalem confirms the 40 day period.
" the Temple into which He was then carried up on the fortieth day:"
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf207.ii.xvi.html
Lev 12:2, 4 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days; according to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean. ... And she shall then continue in the blood of her purifying three and thirty days; she shall touch no hallowed thing, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying be fulfilled.
7 days and 33 days is 40 days. So,
Birth from Mary to presentation (redemption of the first-born) is 40 days.
Pidyon haben - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Presentation of Jesus at the Temple - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
'Birth from death' to ascension is 40 days.
PS. I know there's lots of 'unpacking' to do here, but wanted to put this 'out there' for your thoughts, comments.
Acts 1:3, 9 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: ... And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
10 days after ascension was Pentecost when the Spirit was poured out.
Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
So, why not 35 or 45 days? Why 40 days?
The brief answer is it corresponds to the 40 days from His birth to presentation at the temple.
Luke 2:22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present [him] to the Lord;
Cyril of Jerusalem confirms the 40 day period.
" the Temple into which He was then carried up on the fortieth day:"
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf207.ii.xvi.html
Lev 12:2, 4 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days; according to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean. ... And she shall then continue in the blood of her purifying three and thirty days; she shall touch no hallowed thing, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying be fulfilled.
7 days and 33 days is 40 days. So,
Birth from Mary to presentation (redemption of the first-born) is 40 days.
Pidyon haben - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Presentation of Jesus at the Temple - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
'Birth from death' to ascension is 40 days.
PS. I know there's lots of 'unpacking' to do here, but wanted to put this 'out there' for your thoughts, comments.