The Ascension: Christ’s Return to Glory and Our Assurance of Hope

The Ascension: Christ’s Return to Glory and Our Assurance of Hope
The ascension of Jesus Christ is one of the most majestic and theologically rich events in Scripture. It marked the culmination of His earthly ministry and the beginning of a new era for His disciples and the Church. More than just a physical departure, the ascension signifies Christ’s victorious return to the Father’s presence, His exaltation, and His ongoing work on behalf of believers. It bridges the earthly and the heavenly, grounding our faith in the hope of His glorified presence and our future with Him. Let us embark on a journey to explore the profound truths revealed through the ascension and the session of Christ.
The Heavenly Return: From the Tomb to the Throne
On the morning of His resurrection, Jesus spoke words to Mary Magdalene that hinted at a greater journey yet to come: “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father” (John 20:17). In this statement, we glimpse the trajectory of Christ’s mission—not only to conquer death but to return to the glory He shared with the Father before the world began (John 17:5).
The ascension was the culmination of Jesus’ earthly ministry. His death and resurrection were the critical turning points, but His ascension signified the completion of His work on earth and the restoration of His full glorification in heaven. He did not ascend as a disembodied spirit but as the resurrected Christ, the God-Man, who carried the scars of His crucifixion as eternal reminders of His love and sacrifice.
The Sending of the Spirit: A New Era Begins
Before His crucifixion, Jesus promised His disciples that He would send the Holy Spirit after He returned to the Father. “It is to your advantage that I go away,” He said, “for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you” (John 16:7). The ascension made this promise a reality. By ascending to heaven, Jesus inaugurated a new era of the Spirit’s indwelling presence and power.
In John 7:37-39, Jesus spoke of the Spirit as rivers of living water that would flow from within those who believe. This promise was fulfilled at Pentecost when the Spirit was poured out on the disciples, empowering them to carry the message of the Gospel to the ends of the earth. The ascension assures us that we are not left as orphans; we are indwelt by the Spirit, who guides, comforts, and empowers us for kingdom work.
The Session: Seated at the Right Hand of God
The word “session” refers to Jesus taking His seat at the right hand of the Father, a position of unparalleled honor and authority. This moment is more than a symbolic gesture—it is the ultimate declaration of Christ’s exaltation and victory. Psalm 110:1 prophesied this moment: “The Lord says to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.’”
When Christ sat down at the Father’s right hand (Hebrews 1:3), it signified the completion of His redemptive work. Just as a high priest would sit down after offering sacrifices, Jesus’ session declared that His sacrifice was sufficient and final. The blood of bulls and goats could never fully atone for sin, but the blood of the Lamb of God accomplished what no other sacrifice could.
Victory in the Angelic Conflict
Christ’s session also declared His supremacy in the heavenly realms. Hebrews 2:6-8 and 1 Peter 3:22 affirm that He is exalted above all angels, powers, and authorities. The ascension and session were the decisive moments in the cosmic battle between good and evil, between God and the forces of darkness.
At the cross, Jesus disarmed the powers and authorities, making a public spectacle of them (Colossians 2:15). Through His resurrection and ascension, He triumphed over them, and His session at the right hand of God is the visible confirmation of this victory. His enemies are now subject to Him, and their final defeat is assured.
Our Position in Heavenly Places
Ephesians 2:6 tells us that God “raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” This astonishing truth reveals that the ascension of Christ is not merely His triumph but ours as well. As believers united with Christ, we share in His exaltation. His victory is our victory; His inheritance is our inheritance.
This positional truth has profound implications for how we live. We are no longer bound to the patterns of this world; our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20). While we await the full realization of this promise, we live as those who are already seated with Christ, empowered to live victoriously and to fulfill His mission on earth.
Christ as Our Great High Priest
One of the most comforting aspects of Christ’s session is His ongoing ministry as our Great High Priest. Hebrews 7:25 assures us that “He always lives to intercede for them.” Jesus is not a distant figure seated on a throne; He is actively advocating for us before the Father.
His intercession is not based on our merit but on His finished work. When we stumble, He is there to remind the Father of His sacrifice, ensuring that our sins are covered and our relationship with God is secure. This continuous advocacy fills us with confidence, knowing that nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:34-39).
The Promise of His Return
As the disciples gazed into the sky, watching Jesus ascend, two angels appeared and declared, “This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11). The ascension is not just a conclusion; it is a prelude to the glorious return of Christ.
The promise of His return anchors our hope. Just as the ascension marked the beginning of His heavenly reign, His return will mark the fulfillment of His kingdom on earth. Until that day, we live in the tension of the “already but not yet,” participating in His kingdom work while eagerly anticipating His return.
Living in the Light of the Ascension
The ascension of Christ calls us to live with purpose and hope. It reminds us that our Savior reigns, that our salvation is secure, and that we are empowered by the Spirit to carry out His mission. It assures us that Christ intercedes for us and that His return is certain.
But the ascension also challenges us. Are we living as those seated with Christ in heavenly places? Are we proclaiming the message of the risen and ascended Lord with boldness? Are we anchored in the hope of His return, allowing it to shape our priorities and decisions?
The Eternal Glory of Christ
As we reflect on the ascension and session of Christ, we are drawn to worship. The Lamb who was slain is now the King who reigns. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the One who conquered death and opened the way for us to share in His eternal glory.
Revelation 5 paints a picture of heavenly worship, where countless voices proclaim, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” (Revelation 5:12). This is the reality of Christ’s exaltation, and it beckons us to join in the chorus, living lives that glorify the ascended King.
A Call to Ascend with Him
The ascension is not just a historical event; it is an invitation. It calls us to lift our eyes to the heavenly places, to set our hearts on things above (Colossians 3:1-2). It challenges us to live as those who are already raised with Christ, empowered by His Spirit, and awaiting His return.
As we journey through life, let the truth of the ascension shape our faith and fuel our mission. Christ has returned to the Father’s presence, but He has not left us alone. He reigns as our King, intercedes as our High Priest, and empowers us through His Spirit. In the light of the ascension, let us live with boldness, hope, and unwavering faith, proclaiming to the world that the King who ascended will one day return in glory.

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