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Ascension DayChrist Ascends to Heaven
Introduction
Forty days after his resurrection, Jesus ascended bodily into heaven in the presence of his disciples. This event, celebrated on Ascension Day, marks the conclusion of Christ's earthly ministry and the beginning of his heavenly reign. The Ascension is Jesus entering into glory: he takes his seat at the Father's right hand and assumes his role as mediator, high priest, and king. Understanding the Ascension is crucial for grasping Christ's present ministry and the believer's hope. Jesus has not abandoned his people; he has gone ahead to prepare a place and will return to bring his own to be with him forever.
The Ascension Accounts
Luke records the Ascension in both his Gospel and the book of Acts. In his Gospel, Luke describes how Jesus led the disciples out to Bethany, blessed them, and while blessing them, was parted from them and carried up into heaven. The disciples worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, continually blessing God in the temple.
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. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.
Luke 24:50-53
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Acts provides additional details. Jesus appeared to the apostles over a period of forty days, speaking about the kingdom of God and commanding them to wait in Jerusalem for the promised Holy Spirit. He told them they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them and would be his witnesses to the ends of the earth.
To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Acts 1:3-8
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After saying these things, Jesus was lifted up before their eyes, and a cloud took him out of their sight. As they were gazing into heaven, two angels appeared and declared, "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." The Ascension thus points forward to the Second Coming—Jesus will return visibly, bodily, and gloriously.
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 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 1:9-11
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Old Testament Prophecy and Typology
David prophetically described the Messiah's exaltation in Psalm 110. The Lord says to my Lord, "Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool." This psalm envisions the Messiah enthroned at God's right hand, a position of supreme authority and honor. Jesus himself cited this psalm to confound the Pharisees, demonstrating that the Messiah is both David's son and David's Lord.
Psalm 68 celebrates God's triumphal ascent: "Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men." Paul applies this psalm to Christ, describing how when he ascended on high, he led a host of captives and gave gifts to men. Christ's ascension was a victory procession, demonstrating his conquest of sin, death, and Satan.
Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
Ephesians 4:8
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The story of Elijah being taken up to heaven in a whirlwind prefigures Christ's ascension. As Elijah was caught up, Elisha received a double portion of his spirit. Similarly, after Christ ascended, the disciples received the Holy Spirit and continued Christ's ministry with even greater power.
And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
2 Kings 2:11
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Christ Seated at the Father's Right Hand
After accomplishing redemption through his death and resurrection, Jesus sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. This sitting posture signifies completed work. Old Testament priests stood daily offering sacrifices, but Christ offered a single sacrifice for sins for all time and then sat down. His work of atonement is finished; nothing remains to be added.
Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Hebrews 1:3
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And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
Hebrews 10:11-12
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The right hand of God is the place of highest honor and authority. God has placed all things under Christ's feet and made him head over all things for the church. Christ now exercises universal dominion. Every authority in heaven and on earth has been given to him.
Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, 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,
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Matthew 28:18
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Peter proclaimed on Pentecost that God has made Jesus both Lord and Christ, exalting him to his right hand. From this position, Jesus has poured out the Holy Spirit, as the crowd witnessed at Pentecost. Christ's exaltation is the basis for the Spirit's outpouring and the church's empowerment.
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. For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Until I make thy foes thy footstool. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
Acts 2:33-36
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Christ's Present Ministry as High Priest
Jesus now serves as our great high priest, seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven. He ministers in the true sanctuary, not the earthly copy but the heavenly reality. Unlike the Levitical priests who entered an earthly tabernacle, Jesus has entered heaven itself to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.
Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
Hebrews 8:1-2
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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
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Our high priest is not unable to sympathize with our weaknesses. He has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. Because of his perfect empathy and perfect sacrifice, we can draw near to the throne of grace with confidence, receiving mercy and finding grace to help in time of need.
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:15-16
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Christ's priesthood is permanent and unchanging. Because he lives forever, he always lives to make intercession for those who draw near to God through him. Therefore, he is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through him. We have a Savior who perpetually intercedes for us, praying on our behalf.
But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
Hebrews 7:24-25
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Christ as Advocate and Intercessor
John assures believers that if anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. When we sin, we do not stand alone before the Father; we have a defense attorney who has already paid our penalty and pleads his own blood on our behalf.
My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
1 John 2:1-2
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Paul declares that no one can bring any charge against God's elect, for it is God who justifies. Who can condemn us? Christ Jesus died, was raised, is at the right hand of God, and intercedes for us. Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Our security rests not on our own performance but on Christ's finished work and ongoing intercession.
Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 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 8:33-34
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The Ascension and Our Hope
Jesus promised his disciples, "I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." Christ's ascension guarantees his return. He has gone to prepare a dwelling place for his people in his Father's house. When everything is ready, he will return to bring us home.
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. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
John 14:2-3
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Our citizenship is in heaven, from which we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform our lowly bodies to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him to subject all things to himself. The ascended Christ is our forerunner, guaranteeing that we too will be raised and glorified.
For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
Paul teaches that God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. In a spiritual sense, believers are already enthroned with Christ, sharing in his victory and authority. Our current earthly experience does not reflect our true identity and destiny; we are hidden with Christ in God, awaiting the revelation of our glory.
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Ephesians 2:6
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For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
Colossians 3:3-4
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The Gift of the Spirit
Jesus told his disciples it was to their advantage that he go away, for if he did not go, the Helper would not come. But if he departed, he would send the Spirit. Christ's physical departure was necessary for the Spirit's universal presence. In the flesh, Jesus was limited to one location; through the Spirit, he is present with all believers everywhere.
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
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Peter explained on Pentecost that the risen and ascended Jesus, having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, poured out what the crowd saw and heard. The Spirit's coming was proof of Christ's exaltation. The church operates in the power of the Spirit sent by the ascended Lord.
Paul teaches that the ascended Christ gave gifts to the church—apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers—to equip the saints for ministry and build up the body of Christ. These gifts flow from Christ's triumphant ascension, distributed by the Spirit for the church's edification and mission.
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Conclusion: Looking Up and Looking Forward
The Ascension reminds us that Jesus is alive, exalted, and actively reigning over all things. He has not abandoned his people but intercedes for us, sends his Spirit to empower us, and prepares a place for us in his Father's house. We live between the Ascension and the Second Coming, empowered by the Spirit to be Christ's witnesses, eagerly awaiting his return. Like the disciples on the Mount of Olives, we look up in worship, recognizing Christ's glory and authority. But we do not remain gazing into heaven; we return to our Jerusalem, our daily lives, our mission fields, faithfully serving until the day when the trumpet sounds and we see him face to face. The same Jesus who ascended will return in glory—this is our blessed hope.