Ascension
Summary
The bodily departure of the risen Christ from earth to heaven forty days after His resurrection, marking the completion of His earthly ministry and the commencement of His heavenly session at the Father's right hand.
☩The Historical Event
Forty days after His resurrection, Jesus led His disciples to the Mount of Olives near Bethany. While conversing about the kingdom and blessing them, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. Two angels in white appeared, assuring the disciples that Jesus would return in the same manner as they had seen Him go. The disciples returned to Jerusalem with great joy, awaiting the promised Spirit. The account in Acts 1 provides the authoritative narrative, while Luke 24 offers a brief summary of the departure.
☩Anticipations and Predictions
Throughout His ministry, Jesus spoke of His coming departure and return to the Father. He told His disciples that He would go away and come again to receive them to Himself. To Mary Magdalene He announced, 'I ascend unto my Father.' The Ascension was constantly in view as the necessary conclusion to His earthly work and the means by which He would send the Holy Spirit as another Comforter to abide with believers forever.
☩Session at God's Right Hand
The Ascension brought Christ to God's right hand, the position of supreme authority and honor. Scripture repeatedly affirms that He 'sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,' fulfilling Psalm 110. From this position He exercises universal lordship, makes intercession for His people, and awaits the subjection of all enemies under His feet. Hebrews especially emphasizes His role as High Priest who has 'passed through the heavens' and 'entered within the veil' as our forerunner.
☩Results and Blessings
The Ascension secured the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, for Jesus had promised that unless He went away, the Comforter would not come. As the ascended Head, Christ gave gifts to men—apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers—for building up His body, the Church. Believers are now seated with Him in heavenly places, their citizenship in heaven, awaiting His return. The Ascension demonstrates that sin has been judged and righteousness is now in heaven, vindicating the One whom the world rejected.
☩Nature and Significance
The Ascension was a real, bodily departure—a transition from one mode of existence to another rather than merely from one place to another. It marks the completion of Christ's redemptive work on earth and His entrance into glory. As the resurrection vindicated His person, the Ascension confirmed His finished work and inaugurated His continuing ministry of intercession. It assures believers that where He is, they shall be also, for He has gone to prepare a place for them.
Related Verses6 mentions
References
- 1.James Hastings (ed.), "Ascension," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Ascension," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Ascension," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
- 4.Philip Schaff and Johann Herzog (ed.), "Ascension, Feast of the," in The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, vol. I (Funk and Wagnalls, 1908–1914).
- 5.George Morrish, "Ascension," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).