The Ascension

For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: (Philippians 3:20)

How do you understand the words: He ascended into heaven?

That Christ was taken up form the earth into heaven before the eyes of His disciples and remains there on our behalf until He comes again to judge the living and the dead.

Then, is not Christ with us unto the end of the world, as He has promised us?

Christ is true mean and true God. As a man He is no longer on earth, but in his divinity, majesty, grace, and Spirit, He is never absent from us.

But are not the two natures in Christ separated from each other in this way, if the humanity is not wherever the divinity is?

Not at all; for since divinity is incomprehensible and everywhere present, it must follow that the divinity is indeed beyond the bounds of the humanity which it has assumed, and is nonetheless ever in that humanity as well, and remains personally united to it.

What benefit do we receive from Christ=s ascension into heaven?

First, that He is our Advocate in the presence of His Father in heaven. Second, that we have our flesh in heaven as a sure pledge that He, as the Head, will also take us, His members, up to Himself. Third, that He sends us His Spirit as a counter pledge by whose power we seek what is above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God, and not things that are on earth.

I. Christ Ascended to Heaven

A. Jesus took His closest friends to see Him leave for heaven. And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. (Luke 24:50-51)

B. In heaven Christ manages our affairs with God. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: (Hebrews 9:24)

C. Heaven is the staging area from which Christ will return to judge the world. Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. (Acts 1:11)

II. Even in Heaven Christ Is with Us

A. Christ promised to be with us to the end C we have His word on it. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:20)

B. Jesus is actually in heaven. And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. (John 17:11)

C. Christ promised to come back for us to bring us to heaven to be with Him. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. (John 14:18-19)

D. In that He is actually God, Christ can also be present here while being present humanly in heaven. Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off? Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD. (Jeremiah 23:23-24)

E. This is the doctrinal point at which Christians see the importance of acknowledging that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man in two natures which remain genuine rather than becoming some third thing. And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. (John 3:13

F. The doctrine of the Ascension is an obvious consequence of the truths demonstrated in the Atonement C it Is What We Expect to Follow. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. (Colossians 2:9)

A. Believers now have the best possible representative possible to handle our interests in heaven. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. (Romans 8:34)

B. Christ is making heaven ready for us right now. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (John 14:2)

C. The Holy Spirit came to us at Christ=s direction to interact with us and work inside us, bringing us to know and understand God. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. (John 14:16-17)

D. The Ascension focuses our attention away from this world and toward the one to come. If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. (Colossians 3:1)