The Ascension of Jesus Christ
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not the end of the Gospel story. Forty days after His bodily resurrection from the dead, the Lord Jesus ascended into Heaven. This moment was not only miraculous, it was deeply meaningful. It marked the beginning of His heavenly ministry, His exaltation to the right hand of the Father, and His promise to return again in like manner.
He Was Taken Up Before Their Eyes
“And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight” (Acts 1:9).
The ascension was not a private event. It happened in plain view of the apostles. As they stood on the Mount of Olives, they watched the Lord rise until a cloud received Him. This visible, physical departure confirmed that Jesus was not just a spirit or a vision. He rose from the dead in a glorified body, and He ascended the same way.
“And while they looked stedfastly 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 1:10–11).
He Ascended to Reign
“The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool” (Psalm 110:1).
“Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him” (1 Peter 3:22).
The ascension is not just a departure; it is a coronation. Jesus was exalted to the right hand of God, the place of authority and honor. There He reigns as King and Lord. Though the world does not yet see all things under His feet, the Father has given Him dominion. Every angel, every ruler, and every power is subject to Him.
He Ascended to Intercede
“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).
“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession” (Hebrews 4:14).
The ascended Christ is our High Priest. He does not sit idle in Heaven. He prays for us. He represents us. He pleads our case before the Father. When Satan accuses, Jesus intercedes. When we fall short, He advocates. His intercession is not temporary. It is eternal, powerful, and filled with mercy.
He Ascended to Send the Spirit
“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; 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).
“Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear” (Acts 2:33).
After His ascension, Jesus poured out the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost. This fulfilled His promise to send the Comforter. The Spirit now indwells every believer, empowering the church to preach, to endure, and to grow in holiness. Without the ascension, there would be no Pentecost. And without Pentecost, no power.
He Ascended to Prepare a Place
“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).
Jesus did not go to Heaven to rest, but to prepare. The ascension is personal. Our Savior has gone before us to ready our eternal home. Heaven is not abstract. It is the place where Jesus dwells, where our inheritance awaits, and where our citizenship already lies. His ascension secures our future.
He Will Come Again
“This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner” (Acts 1:11).
The ascension is the guarantee of His return. As He went up visibly, so He shall return visibly. As He rose in glory, so He shall come in glory. The Second Coming is not an allegory. It is a certainty. The King who ascended will descend. The Lord who reigns above will soon rule below.
“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God” (1 Thessalonians 4:16).
Lift Up Your Eyes
The ascension of Jesus Christ is not a forgotten doctrine. It is a cornerstone of our hope. It reminds us that our Savior lives, that He reigns, and that He is coming again. When the world grows dark, we lift our eyes. When trials increase, we remember our Advocate above. When our hearts are weary, we set our affection on things above, where Christ sitteth.
“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).
Jesus has ascended, and He has not left us alone. He is our King, our Priest, our Friend, and our returning Lord. Let every heart rejoice. Let every soul be ready. The risen Savior has ascended, and He is coming again.