3.6 Exaltation of Christ

A. The exaltation of Jesus Christ began with his Resurrection

1. On the day of His resurrection He appeared to… Mary Magdalene The women returning from the tomb Simon Peter The disciples on the road to Emmaus The Apostles

2. Between the day of His resurrection and the day of His ascension (about 40 days) He appeared to… Thomas Seven disciples by the Lake of Tiberius (Sea of Galilee) About 500 hundred believers at once James The eleven Apostles

3. At His Ascension The eleven Apostles saw Him

4. After His ascension He appeared to… Stephen Paul John, on the island of Patmos

B. The exaltation of Jesus Christ continued with His ascension The ascension of Jesus Christ was the return of Jesus Christ to heaven forty days after His resurrection

1. The circumstances of the ascension

a. It occurred forty days after His resurrection After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. Acts 1:3

b. It occurred on the top of the Mount of Olives Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. Acts 1:12

c. It pointed towards His second coming “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? 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 clouds In the Ancient Near East, the clouds are often associated with the presence of a deity. In the Old Testament, a cloud in the temple indicated the presence of God. When the priests withdrew from the Holy Place, the cloud filled the temple of the Lord. And the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled his temple. 1 Kings 8:10-11 Clouds accompanied His ascension so clouds will accompany His return to earth. The cloud imagery hints that Jesus is God. Look, he is coming with the clouds,”     and “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him”;     and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.” So shall it be! Amen. Revelation 1:7

2. The importance of the ascension

a. It provided the unlimited power of the Holy Spirit Jesus said it would be better for Him to go away because the Holy Spirit would come. That mean that God’s presence would live inside all believers.

a. It provided the unlimited power of Jesus Christ as our intercessor Jesus is now sitting at the right hand of His father. He talks to the Father and intercedes for us constantly.

C. The exaltation of Jesus Christ will continue in the future

1. Jesus will ultimately return in power

2. Jesus will reign on earth for 1,000 years

3. Jesus will be the object of glory and honor in heaven for all eternity