Can you explain to me why He told Mary not to touch Him
He didn't. He said "do not hold onto me". We've already said this.
What is the understanding of those of you that do not believe He ascended to Heaven between His conversation with Mary and later that day?
I believe what the Scripture says.
Jesus rose from the dead, appeared to Mary Magdalene, who was overjoyed and apparently went to hold on/hug him, but he told her not to do that. Later that day he appeared to the disciples and showed them his hands and side, as proof that it was him. Thomas was not there, so Jesus appeared again a week later and invited Thomas to touch his hands and side. We are not told that Thomas did so, but Jesus allowed him to if he wanted to.
There is nothing in the passage - at all - to suggest that Jesus finished talking to Mary, ascended into heaven and then returned when it was time to appear to the next lot of people. That is an assumption you have made.
It seems a bit odd, don't you think?
No, what is odd is the idea that Jesus was continually whizzing to and from heaven for 40 days until he decided to go one last time.
Did He not at some point apply His blood to the Mercy Seat in The Holy of Holys....the very Throne Room Of God?
Not as far as I know. Which Scripture says that?
Scripture says that the blood of Jesus purifies us from all sin (1 John 1:7), not that Jesus died, was raised, had to ascend to heaven to apply his blood to the mercy seat, and then came back down, after which time he allowed people to touch him and so on."
Did He not do in Heaven the same as that which occured in the earthly temple at His death?
No. Why do you think he did?
In other words, what if any are your thoughts on this matter? He spent 40 days here after His resurection, right?
Yes.
Would that not disqualify Him from entering The Holy of Holys? Does it not make sense that He applied His Blood on the day of His resurection. This work in Heaven gave every believer direct access to the Throne Room where, had He not, we would instantly die. Can you see that ascending to Heaven was an absolutely necessary part of His work before His sitting down at the right of The Father? Can't you see that had Mary touched Him before this final work He would be not only unfit to enter The Holy Places, but, being also a man, would surely die?
No.
The idea that Jesus rose from the dead and had to ascend to heaven to enter a heavenly holy of holies, without anyone touching him so they could not contaminate him, is not Scriptural. I don't know where you heard it, or if you have been reading the OT/book of Hebrews and assumed that this is what happened, but it's not what Jesus said, nor what the early church taught.
Jesus said that he had come to give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). He said he was the Good Shepherd who laid down his life for his sheep (John 10:11, 17-18) and he said that his blood was of the new covenant, shed for the forgiveness of sins (Matt 26:28.) All this happened when Jesus died on the cross. He said "it is finished", not "well I've one more thing to do; after I die I need to take my blood to the holy of holies in heaven." This is just not a Scriptural teaching, so my thoughts on it are that it didn't happen.
Can you see that ascending to Heaven was an absolutely necessary part of His work before His sitting down at the right of The Father?
Yes, and his ascension is described in Acts 1.
Can't you see that had Mary touched Him before this final work He would be not only unfit to enter The Holy Places, but, being also a man, would surely die?
No; convince me
from Scripture.
Jesus had already died and been raised. His death was a once and for all sacrifice for our sins; he couldn't die again.
If you believed it happened the way you say it did, then tell me - why did Jesus not go straight to heaven after he was raised to apply this blood to the mercy seat before appearing to anyone who might touch him, contaminate him and therefore negate the point of his death? Why didn't God take him straight into heaven to do what, you say, had to be done, and then allow him to go back to earth to appear to anyone he wanted to appear to?