THE ASCENSION OF OUR LORD JESUS
“Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, 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, who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven." Acts 1:9-11 (NKJV)
Our Lord Jesus died for our sins; arose bodily from the dead; ascended into heaven where He is now seated at the right hand of the Father to make intercession for us and from whence He will come again in power and great glory to execute judgment and rule this world with truth and righteousness.
Let us explore how the ascension of our Lord further validates "that blessed hope".
THE FACT OF HIS ASCENSION
“Jesus said to her, [Mary Magdalene] ‘Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ’I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God." John 20:17 (NKJV)
“And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven.” Luke 24:50-51 (NKJV)
THE COMMAND AND PROMISE ACCOMPANYING HIS ASCENSION
“And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, which, He said, you have heard from Me… But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Acts 1:4; 8 (NKJV)
THE ADMONITION ASSOCIATED WITH HIS ASCENSION
“And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven." Acts 1:10-11 (NKJV)
EVENTS THAT FOLLOWED HIS ASCENSION
1.) The disciples returned to Jerusalem with great joy and renewed devotion
“Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey. And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers [James, Joses, Simon, and Judas (Matthew 13:55)].” Acts 1:12-14 (NKJV)
“And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.” Luke 24:52-53(NKJV)
2.) The Lord Jesus returned to the Father to intercede for us while He waits the time the Father has appointed for His return in power and glory.
“But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool.” Hebrews 10:12-13 (NKJV)
“My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” 1 John 2:1 (NKJV)
“Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.” Romans 8:34 (NKJV)
(PARENTHETICAL NOTE:
The question: “Who is he who condemns?” answered by Paul. “It is Christ who died.” Paul later wrote to Timothy: “I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom.” 2 Timothy 4:1 (NKJV).
We read the judgment pronounced by the Lord Jesus in Matthew 7:22-23: “Many will say to Me in that day, ’Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ’I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ Matthew 7:22-23 (NKJV)
END OF PARENTHETICAL NOTE)
IT IS FOR US TO WATCH AND BE READY FOR HIS RETURN!
“This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven." Acts 1:11 (NKJV)
"But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
"For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
"Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left.
"Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.
"Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” Matthew 24:36-44 (NKJV)
