I Believe Jesus Ascended Into Heaven
Minister: |
Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: |
1/13/2019 AM
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Text:
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Hebrews 9;
Lord's Day 18
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Psalters: |
133, 338, 183, 302 |
- What happened.
- Both God and Jesus were active in the ascension – God transported the resurrected Jesus from earth to heaven.
- When Jesus ascended a cloud actively received Him out of the sight of the disciples (Acts 1:9).
- This change in the location of Jesus marks progress in His exaltation.
- At His resurrection Jesus’ humbled (earthly) human nature was changed into an exalted (heavenly) human nature.
- The ascension took His heavenly human nature from the earthly realm into the heaven.
- The ascended Jesus is active in heaven.
- He ascended because He had completed that portion of the work He came to do on earth (John 17:4; Heb. 9:11,12,24).
- Second, He is our advocate with the Father, constantly presenting the evidence of our justification (Heb. 9:11,12,24,28).
- Third, He is our Intercessor, constantly praying for blessings to be given to us for our sanctification (Heb. 7:25).
- And now He is with His people in a much closer sense.
- His ascension brings spiritual benefits to us.
- It is a cause of great joy (Rev. 12:10- 12).
- He ascended to prepare things (John 14:2 and 7:39; 16:7).
- In essence the church ascended with Him (our Head) and sits with Him in heavenly places (Eph. 2:6).
- Practical benefits for us.
- The presence of the Spirit of our ascended Lord within each believer makes His presence with us very real (John 14:3).
- Concerning our prayers (Belgic Art. 26; Heb. 10:19-22).
- As Jesus was other-worldly (between resurrection and ascension), so now we are in this world, but not of it.