Jesus Christ—Where Are his Now? (In Light of Scriptural Teachings)
Author: Daniel Isaiah Jesus’ earthly father, Joseph,
The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John each provide detailed accounts of Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection. His followers, his followers’ tales, and his teachings were all documented.
However, modern people are unable to experience Jesus in the same way that his disciples in the first century did. This causes many to wonder what became of Jesus.
Christ ascended to heaven 40 days after his resurrection and is seated at the right hand of the Father. Jesus predicted his own ascension, angels verified it, and the disciples witnessed it.
Jesus’ ability to intercede on behalf of Christians and the sending of the Holy Spirit are both benefits of the ascension.
What Good Does It Do for Christians that Jesus Is Currently Residing in Heaven?
Some Christians may have a hard time seeing how Jesus’ ascension helps them today more than if he had stayed on earth. There are moments when not having him around is like losing a loved one; you miss them terribly and can’t quite put your finger on why.
The Ascension, However, Is Cause for Joy Since Jesus Is Alive and The Church Is Not Alone.
Christ’s ascension accomplishes four primary goals: (1) paves the way for Christians to follow in his footsteps; (2) ushers in the Holy Spirit to build his Church; (3) gives believers the resources they need to thrive in the here and now; and (4) places Christ in a position to intercede on their behalf.
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The Ascension of Jesus Clears the Way for His Followers.
Believers will go to paradise just like Jesus did because they are united to him. 1 Thessalonians 4:17 quotes Paul on this topic: “Then we who are alive and remain, who are left, will be snatched up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.” (ESV)
Jesus told his disciples that he will return for them and take them to be with him in heaven. For if I leave and make ready a place for you, I will come back and receive you to myself that where I am, you may be too (John 14:3).
The Coming of The Holy Spirit on The Day of Pentecost Is Directly Related to Jesus’ Ascension.
Before Christ’s ascension, the Holy Spirit was already active in the world. Nonetheless, the Holy Spirit would arrive in a special way that strengthened Christians following Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.
And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you,” Jesus said to his disciples just before he ascended into heaven. But until you have been armed with divine authority, you should remain in the city (Luke 24:49; cf. Acts 1:4-5).
As Jesus stated, “the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your recollection all that I have spoken to you.” (John 14:26)
In addition to establishing the Church, God’s ability to minister to all people at all times and in all places is made possible by the unique advent of the Holy Spirit following Jesus’ ascension. Jesus could only be in one place at a time if he were still physically present on Earth. His influence grows immensely as a result of the Holy Spirit’s work in his life.
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Christians Have Been Given New Strength Since Jesus Ascended.
Union with Jesus grants Christians access to his high position, which strengthens them to overcome sin and evil.
As Paul puts it, “in Christ Jesus he has both raised us up and seated us with him in the heavenly realms” (Eph. 2:6). Despite their physical location on Earth, Christians are “sitting with Jesus” because they share in Jesus’ power and dominion over Satan.
Thanks to his resurrection and ascension, Jesus is in a prime position to pray on behalf of Christians.
Jesus prays for his disciples from his lofty and powerful vantage point. Through his exalted position at God’s right hand, his prayers are heard and granted.
Who then shall pass judgment on us? (Romans 8:34) Because of what He has done for us by dying and rising again, Jesus is now at the right hand of God and is making supplication on our behalf.
In his letter to the Hebrews, the author explains that Christians can pray to Jesus because he has risen to heaven. According to the Bible, “Christ has gone, not into holy places built with hands, which are duplicates of the actual things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the face of God on our behalf.” (Heb. 9:24)
Is the Ascension Mentioned Anywhere in The Bible?
The ascension of Jesus is a truth that is strongly supported by biblical evidence. The occurrence is mentioned both in the Old and New Testaments.
The New Testament books of the Gospels and Acts, as well as the writings of Paul, all have accounts of this. The book of Hebrews addresses the significance of the ascension, and the book of Revelation records its fruition.
Mark’s lengthy conclusion elaborates on Jesus’ ascension. Both the closing verses of Luke’s Gospel and the opening verses of Acts make reference to this.
Mark 16:19 says, “After he had spoken to them, the Lord Jesus was carried up into heaven and sat down at the right side of God.”
And when they had come to Bethany, he lifted his hands and blessed them (Luke 24:50-51). They were still in the midst of his blessing when he suddenly disappeared, taken up to heaven.
Acts 1:9, Then, while they watched, “he was lifted up, and a cloud whisked him out of their sight.”
The time of Jesus’ ascension into heaven is not described in John’s Gospel, although there are several prophecies of it there.
“No one has climbed into heaven but the one who came down from heaven, the Son of Man” (John 3:13).
John 6:62, Then what would you do if you saw the Son of Man return to his former glory?
Rather than cling to him, Jesus told Mary to tell his brothers, “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God” (John 20:17).
References to Jesus’ Resurrection and Ascension in The Writings of Paul
Paul’s theology hinges, in large part, on the veracity of the ascension’s historical occurrence and its contemporary relevance for Christians. He writes several times on how Jesus has ascended to heaven and is at the Father’s right hand.
According to Ephesians 4:10, “He who descended is the one who also rose far beyond all the heavens, so he may fill all things.”
Seek those things which are above, where Christ is seated at the right side of God (Colossians 3:1).
Great indeed is the secret of godliness, as it is written in 1 Timothy 3:16: “He was revealed in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, carried up in glory.”
The ascension is also mentioned by Peter: Jesus “has gone into heaven and is at the right side of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjugated to him” (1 Pet. 3:22).
“Since therefore we have a great high priest who has ascended through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession,” the author of Hebrews says in reference to Jesus’ ascension.
An Old Testament Account of Ascension
Paul refers to Jesus’ heavenly enthronment and present day status with the Father twice in the Old Testament. Thus, the ascension is considered to be alluded to throughout the Old Testament.
As Paul describes Jesus as having “climbed on high” in Ephesians 4:8, he alludes to Psalm 68:18: “You ascended on high, leading a multitude of captives in your train and receiving gifts among mankind, even among the rebellious, so the Lord God may live there.”
Luke also reports that Peter declared David didn’t get to heaven in Acts 2:34–35. For more support, Peter quotes Psalm 110:1, which reads, “The Lord says to my Lord: Sit at my right hand, till I make your enemies your footstool.
