The Ascension of Christ

Introduction:

We often will enjoy a study of the life of Jesus. When we study His life we will often consider:

the some-what scandalous circumstances around His birth

His great teachings that we learn and apply

the importance of the cross with a mixture of sadness and gladness

His resurrection from the dead and defeat of sin and death and the devil

However, it becomes easy for us to ignore His ascension into heaven, when Jesus ascended into heaven to be in the presence of His Father.

The ascension serves as the grand finale to His extraordinary life on the earth -

Acts 1:9–11 NASB95

9 And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. 11 They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”

Ascension & the Atonement

When Christ ascended into heaven, He went to fulfill His role as our great high priest.

Part of the duties of the high priest was making the appropriate sacrifices for the sins of those whom he represented -

Under the old covenant, the high priest would enter the Most Holy Place once a year, before the presence of God, presenting the blood of the sacrifice -

Hebrews 9:7–10 NASB95

7 but into the second, only the high priest enters once a year, not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the sins of the people committed in ignorance. 8 The Holy Spirit is signifying this, that the way into the holy place has not yet been disclosed while the outer tabernacle is still standing, 9 which is a symbol for the present time. Accordingly both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make the worshiper perfect in conscience, 10 since they relate only to food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until a time of reformation.

All of this served as a picture of what Christ would come to do!

While the Old Testament priests would enter once a year, Jesus died only once -

When Jesus entered heaven, He presented Himself as the atoning sacrifice to God, then sat down at the right hand of God to complete the work of redemption - ,

Hebrews 10:11–14 NASB95

11 Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; 12 but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time onward until His enemies be made a footstool for His feet. 14 For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.

Hebrews 10:17 NASB95

17 “And their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”

It was not until Jesus ascended into heaven that the final work of Jesus’ priestly work was finished.

Now that atonement has been completed and Jesus is at the right hand of God, He serves as our mediator -

Jesus’ humanity qualifies Him to be our mediator and high priest

Jesus was God in the flesh; we must not deny His humanity and His high priestly role. He represents us before the throne of God -

Christ’s blood was shed as the necessary sacrifice for sins -

Hebrews 9:22 NASB95

22 And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

He presented His body as the sacrifice for sins, completing the work of redemption - ;

We should not minimize the importance of Jesus’ ascension, for without His ascending into heaven then the sacrifice for sins would not have gone before the Father’s throne.

Ascension & the Throne

Another important aspect of the ascension of Jesus is that He sat down at the right hand of God -

Sitting down at the right hand of God was symbolic of taking the appointed place to rule the kingdom of God -

Jesus was exalted to become Lord of lords and King of kings -

Before ascending into heaven, He taught His disciples a 40-day crash course on the kingdom -

Acts 1:3 NASB95

3 To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God.

However, they were still awaiting when the kingdom would come -

Then, in , Peter proclaims that Jesus is at the right hand of God and has been exalted to the throne of David -

This was the fulfillment of God’s promises to David -

Some people are still waiting for the kingdom of God to come, expecting Jesus to return to the earth and establish an earthly, physical, nationalistic kingdom in Jerusalem.

Premillennialism denies the kingship of Christ and the existence of His kingdom.

The nature of Jesus’ kingdom and Lordship proves that Jesus is greater than David because of His divinity -

Even David acknowledge God Jehovah with the Lord Jesus in .

Jesus was the preexistent One that God gave the kingdom.

Through Jesus we have the ultimate victory and He rules with all authority and power -

Because He has been exalted and rules the kingdom, we are to praise Jesus and confess Him as our Lord and give Him our allegiance/obedience -

If we deny His kingdom, power, and authority then how can we ever begin to enjoy the blessings of His kingdom?

He shed His blood and is now reigning over a kingdom that is not of this world. He offers the freedom from sin—the greatest blessing we could ever receive.

His kingdom is not built around prosperity, but by being poor in spirit.

Without Jesus’ ascension into heaven then His kingship and kingdom would never have become a reality.

Ascension & Second Coming

There was a promise associated with Jesus’ ascension: His second coming -

Acts 1:11 NASB95

11 They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”

Illustrate: sequel to a movie; there’s more to this Jesus. It’s not over yet! (Terminator and Arnold Schwarzeneggar, “I’ll be back” or after you learn the secret between Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker in Empire Strikes Back you must see Return of the Jedi)

With Jesus leaving the earth, there is the promise of His return

The purpose of His first coming was for salvation and making the sacrifice for sin - ;

John is not suggesting that Jesus will never take the role of judge; He is emphasizing that His coming to earth was in respect to saving people from their sins.

Jesus will return and at His second coming it will be a glorious day for those who are saved -

Saints will go home to be with the Lord forever -

Those who disobey the Lord Jesus Christ will face the wrath of God - ;

Christ will return and will judge the world by righteousness. He will judge us based on the words He has spoken - ;

John 12:47–50 NASB95

47 “If anyone hears My sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 “He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day. 49 “For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak. 50 “I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me.”

Have you obeyed Jesus’ words about not being angry with a fellow brother in Christ?

Have you obeyed Jesus’ teachings about one reason for divorce? And only the innocent party having a right to remarriage?

Have you obeyed Jesus’ words about not performing your religious practices to be seen by men?

We must be sure we are doing what Christ taught so we are prepared for the day of Christ’s judgment and when the wrath of God is made visible upon those who are ungodly and unrighteous. Don’t be among that group.

Conclusion:

The ascension of Jesus was a grand and glorious event.

It was the finale to Jesus’ life here on earth and is the bridge to what has yet to happen.

The ascension of Christ gives hope to the Christian and the certainty of judgment to sinners.

Jesus died for your sins and He went into heaven to take His place as high priest and king. He extends grace and forgiveness to you.

Will you become a part of the wonderful kingdom of Jesus Christ?