Jesus' ascension tells of him, risen from his death at Easter, now going to heaven where he has an important place with God (see Mark 16.19).
There he prepares a place for his followers and sends the Holy Spirit to his disciples. A clear link is made between the importance of Jesus, his life and teaching, and the will of God.
You may have noticed that the different accounts of Jesus' ascension refer to him being 'taken', 'lifted' or 'carried' up to heaven.
At the time of Jesus people thought the earth was like a great table standing on pillars. Above the table was the 'firmament', a sort of dome containing the sky, sun and stars with heaven beyond that. Therefore it was natural for the writers to describe Jesus being 'taken' or 'carried' up into heaven.
('Sheol' was the area under the earth - literally the underworld.)
Some background links:
Ascension from The Catholic Encyclopedia.
Chapel Of The Ascension, on the Mount of Olives, which according to tradition, marks the place where Jesus ascended into Heaven.
Ascension - Acts 1:9 - a short sermon.
Ascension Home Page
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