Ascension of Christ: Episode Five
Calvin wrote that ‘the first Adam shut the eternal, heavenly kingdom but Jesus, the second Adam, opened up that access once again’. After His death the veil in the temple was split down the middle giving us free access to God. Since the ascension we’re spiritually seated with Him in heavenly places (Eph. 2:6-7) yet, at His Return Jesus-followers will experience it in a new way.
The gospels were written after the ascension, the pain and grief the Eleven suffered were healed, they saw the resurrected Christ, and watched Him ascend back to His Father as He said He would. The confusion they felt was cleared up and they’d wait ‘a little while’ (John 16:16-24), an interim time, for His promised return. Be encouraged, we’ll be back in Eden, paradise, soon enough; there’ll be a new heaven and a new earth prepared for us.
Jesus clearly understood that He couldn’t remain on earth after the resurrection. He told Mary Magdalene not to cling to Him or try to hold Him back (John 20:17) because He needed to ascend to the Father. Things must be done in order, at His Return we’ll all experience the blessed hope since Christ returned to the position of honor beside the Father He didn’t enjoy while on earth … and so will we.
For us, the ascension begins the end; it’s called eschatology. It’s already … but not yet. Now Jesus is temporarily hidden in heaven, however, then He’ll be fully visible to all the earth. This in-between or interim time is to spread the gospel to those in our sphere of influence showing our faith by our good works helping as many as possible in His Name.
Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is. 1 John 3:2
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Colossians 3:1-4
In John’s vision he ascended in the Spirit as a foreshadow of our future ascension at His Return,
The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! Revelation 22:17, 20
As we close this series we remember the Ascension opened the way for us to be reunited with Him for eternity. When the ‘forty days’ are completed heaven and earth are reconnected forever.
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