I find this one interesting. Correct me if I'm wrong. Read John
1:49 Nathanael answered and saith to him, `Rabbi, thou art the Son
of God, thou art the king of Israel.'
1:50 Jesus answered and said to him, `Because I said to thee, I
saw thee under the fig-tree, thou dost believe; greater things
than these thou shalt see;'
1:51 and he saith to him, `Verily, verily, I say to you, henceforth
ye shall see the heaven opened, and the messengers of God going up
and coming down upon the Son of Man.' (YLT)
Was Jesus referring to His resurrection and ascension with the angels?
Genesis 28:12-17 And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. {13} And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; {14} And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. {15} And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of. {16} And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not. {17} And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.The Ladder in verse 12 represents the Son of man of which Jesus spoke to Nathaniel. Notice it reached to heaven. Jesus is the ladder by whom we climb up to heaven. Jesus spoke about those who try to climb up some other way:
John 10:1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.God said He would bring Jacob again to this land. Of course this promise was made to Abraham as well (Gen 17). Hebrews declares that this land (attained by climbing the Ladder [Christ]) is the heavenly country. Hence, the ladder reaches unto heaven:
Hebrews 11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.This is what God was telling Jacob in Genesis 28. And notice Jacob's reponse:
Hebrews 11:13-14 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. {14} For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
Hebrews 11:16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
Genesis 28:16-19 And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not. {17} And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven. {18} And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it. {19} And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first.First, Jacob says, "How dreadful is this place." He understood that in heaven was contained the presence of God. He understood that the Ladder was the only way into the presence of God. This is why Jacob called the Ladder "The Gate of heaven."
Matthew 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.There are no additions or combinations, or any other ways to heaven but through Christ:
John 10:7-9 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. {8} All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. {9} I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.This Gate of heaven is none other than those by which (or whom) one enters into the New Jerusalem:
Revelation 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.It is fascinating that Jacob called the place "Bethel" which is Hebrew for House of God. How does Paul and the writer of Hebrews describe us?
2 Corinthians 5:1-2 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. {2} For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:
Hebrews 3:6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.The question arises when considering the ministry of the angels ascending and descending upon the Son of man (John 1:51) or the Ladder (Gen 28). Hebrews describes angels as such:1 Peter 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 10:19-22 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, {20} By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; {21} And having an high priest over the house of God; {22} Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
Hebrews 1:13-14 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? {14} Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?It seems very possible that at least during the apostolic era the angels were used to bring men up the ladder:
Luke 16:22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;Jesus told Nathaniel that he would see the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of God. This could also be referring to "messengers" Gk-angelos preaching the Gospel. But it seems more likely that they are actual angels.
In regard to seeing these events Paul says:
Romans 15:20-21 Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation: {21} But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.Jesus spoke of seeing life:
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.Jesus spoke about seeing the kingdom of God:
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.All this to say that I think your answer that it could be referring to Christ's resurrection is directly related:
Ephesians 2:5-6 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) {6} And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:Colossians 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
1 Corinthians 15:17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
John 14:19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.