The Ascension Of Jesus
"And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 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 1:9-11) "And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven." (Luke 24:51) "So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God." (Mark 16:19) With these words the inspired men tell of the ascension of Jesus. There was no pomp, no rituals, no ceremony, as men doubtless would have arranged for such a significant event. Yet there is no doubt in the minds of his disciples but that Jesus ascended into heaven. Jesus had said, "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) When many were offered at the teachings of Jesus, he asked his disciples, "What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?" (John 6:62)
The ascension of Jesus was important to the accomplishment of God's plan. Paul declared that Jesus ascended on high "that he might fill all things". (Eph. 4:10) Of course the statement "That he might fill all things" is all inclusive of the things which were accomplished by his ascension. His ascension was vital to God's scheme of redemption. "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." (Heb. 9:24) "Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us." (Heb. 8:4) "But now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself." (Heb. 9:26) The ascension of Jesus is as much a part of God's plan as was his resurrection. I suppose the only ones who would deny the ascension would be those who deny his resurrection.
Jesus ascended to be enthroned at God's right hand, which also was a part of filling all things, for this was God's plan. Long before his ascension the prophet of God had said, "I saw in the night visions, and behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed." (Dan. 7:13-14) This is precisely how he was given dominion, glory and a kingdom. Mark said, "He was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God." (Mark 16:19) The right hand of God signifies a place of dominion, power, and authority. When God raised Christ from the head, "and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come; and hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all." (Eph. 1:20-23) Speaking of Jesus, Peter said, "Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him. (1 Pet. 3:22) In the first gospel sermon Peter preached that Jesus had ascended into heaven and was "by the right hand of God exalted". (Acts 2:33)
Jesus ascended that all truth might be revealed. He said unto his disciples, "It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you." (John 16:7) When the Holy Spirit came unto the disciples he was to (1) teach them all things, (2) bring to their minds the things Jesus had taught them, (3) testify of Jesus, and (4) guide them into all truth. (Cf. John 14:26; 15:26; 16:13) This surely emphasizes the importance of the ascension, for unless Jesus ascends into heaven the Holy Spirit will not come. But the Spirit came to reveal God's will for man. (1 Cor. 2:10-13; Eph. 3:3-5) Therefore, until Jesus ascended all truth could not be revealed.
Jesus ascended that he might give gifts unto men. Paul wrote, "Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things?) And he gave some apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some pastors and teachers." (Eph. 4:8-11) Thus the ascending was that he might fill all things, which included sending the Holy Spirit, or as Paul says, He ascended up on high.... and gave gifts unto men." The gifts that were given (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers) were gifts of the Spirit. These gifts were given (1) For the revelation of divine truth - apostles and prophets; (2) For the propagation of divine truth - evangelists; and (3) For organization and teaching in the local church - pastors and teachers. The gifts were given after Jesus ascended on high.
Jesus ascended into heaven that he might fill all things. He ascended into heaven to be enthroned at the right hand of God, angels, authorities and powers being made subject unto him. He ascended into heaven that the Spirit might be sent for the revelation and propagation of divine truth. He ascended into heaven, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
Now as Jesus sits upon his throne at the right hand of God, with all power (Matt. 28:18), it behooves each of us to harken unto him, and every soul which will not hear him shall be destroyed. (Acts 3:23) Indeed, we must keep his commandments, without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: 'Which in him times he shall show who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, the Lord of lords; who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen." (1 Tim. 6:14-17)
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