God The Son, The Executor of the Plan His Ascension and Priestly Ministry

2 A. The Fact of the Ascension of Christ Since the resurrection of Christ is the first in a series of exaltations of Christ, the ascension of Christ to heaven may be considered the second important step. The word of Christ to Mary Magdalene in John 20:17 is often cited, in which Christ said, Mark 16:19 Luke 24:50-51 Acts 1:9-11 “I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.”

3 His Ascension and Priestly Ministry A. The Fact of the Ascension of Christ The typology of the Old Testament where the priest, after sacrifice, brought blood into the holy place is also cited. Most evangelicals interpret the present tense of John 20:17, “I ascend,” as a vivid future. “by His blood” “through His blood.” 1 John 1:7 Hebrews 9:12 Hebrews 9:23-24

4 His Ascension and Priestly Ministry A. The Fact of the Ascension of Christ A further question has been raised whether the ascension in Acts 1 was a literal act. 1. ejpaivrw ( epairo ), meaning “to lift up” 2. uJpolambavnw ( hupolambano ), meaning “to take, or bear up,” “to take from below” 3. poreuvomai ( poreuomai ), meaning “go, proceed, travel” 4. ajnalambavnw ( analambano ), meaning “to take up,” “raise”

5 His Ascension and Priestly Ministry A. The Fact of the Ascension of Christ These four statements are significant because in verse 11 it is predicted that His second coming will be in like manner; that is, His ascension and His second coming will be gradual, visible, bodily, and with clouds Acts 1:9-11

6 His Ascension and Priestly Ministry B. Evidence for the Arrival of Christ in Heaven 1.Although the evidence for His ascension from earth to heaven is complete, the fact that Christ is repeatedly said to have arrived in heaven confirms the fact of His ascension.

7 B. Evidence for the Arrival of Christ in Heaven 2.Many passages testify that Christ is seen in heaven after His ascension. Acts 2:33-36 Acts 3:21 Acts 7:55-56 Acts 9:3-6 Acts 22:6-8 Acts 26:13-15 Romans 8:34 Ephesians 1:20-22 Ephesians 4:8-10 Philippians 2:6-11 Philippians 3:20 1 Thessalonians 1:10 1 Thessalonians 4:16 1 Timothy 3:16 Hebrews 1:3 Hebrews 2:7

8 His Ascension and Priestly Ministry B. Evidence for the Arrival of Christ in Heaven 2.Many passages testify that Christ is seen in heaven after His ascension. Hebrews 4:14 Hebrews 6:20 Hebrews 7:26 Hebrews 8:1 Hebrews 9:24 Hebrews 10:12-13 Hebrews 12:2 1 John 2:1 Revelation 1:7 Revelation 1:13-18 Revelation 5:5-12 Revelation 6:9-17 Revelation 7:9-17 Revelation 14:1-5Revelation 19:11-16

9 His Ascension and Priestly Ministry C.The Meaning of the Ascension 1.The ascension marked the end of His earthly ministry. 2.It also marked the return to His manifested glory which was hidden in earthly life after His resurrection.

10 His Ascension and Priestly Ministry C. The Meaning of the Ascension 3.Christ is frequently pictured at the right hand of the Father. Psalm 110:1 Matthew 22:44 Mark 12:36 Mark 16:19 Luke 20:42-43 Luke 22:69 Romans 8:34 Ephesians 1:20 Colossians 3:1 Hebrews 1:3-13 Hebrews 8:1 Hebrews 10:12 Hebrews 12:2 1 Peter 3:22

11 His Ascension and Priestly Ministry C. The Meaning of the Ascension 4.The throne which Christ occupies in heaven is the Father’s throne, not to be confused with the Davidic throne which is earthly. 5.Earth yet awaits the time when it will be made His footstool and His throne will be set up on earth. Matthew 25:31

12 His Ascension and Priestly Ministry D. The Present Work of Christ in Heaven Christ as the last Adam and head of the new creation. Christ as the Head of the body of Christ. Romans 12:5 Christ as the Great Shepherd of His sheep. John 10:2-16 Christ as the True Vine in relation to the branches. 1 Corinthians 15:45-50 John 15:1-7

13 His Ascension and Priestly Ministry D. The Present Work of Christ in Heaven Christ as the Chief Cornerstone in relation to the church as stones of the building. 1 Peter 2:5-9 Christ as our High Priest in relationship to the church as a royal priesthood. Christ as the Bridegroom in relation to the church as the bride. 1 Peter 2:9Hebrews 6:20 Ephesians 5:22-23

14 His Ascension and Priestly Ministry D. The Present Work of Christ in Heaven a.As High Priest over the true tabernacle on high, the Lord Jesus Christ has entered into heaven itself there to minister as Priest in behalf of those who are His own in the world Hebrews 8:1-2 Revelation 11:15 Psalm 2:8 Matthew 25:31-46 Acts 15:13-18 Hebrews 5:10 Hebrews 7:1 Ephesians 1:22-23

15 His Ascension and Priestly Ministry D. The Present Work of Christ in Heaven b.As our High Priest Christ is the bestower of spiritual gifts. Romans 12:3-8 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 Romans 12:1-2 Romans 12:6-8 Philippians 2:13 Ephesians 4: Corinthians 12:11-18

16 His Ascension and Priestly Ministry D. The Present Work of Christ in Heaven c.The ascended Christ as Priest ever lives to make intercession for His own. d.Christ now appears for His own in the presence of God. John 17: John 1:9 Luke 22:31-32 Hebrews 7:25 Psalm 23:1 Hebrews 9:24 1 John 2:1 Revelation 12:10 1 John 2:2 Romans 8:34

17 His Ascension and Priestly Ministry E.The Present Work of Christ on Earth Christ is also at work in His church on earth while He is bodily at the right hand of God in heaven. Matthew 28:18-20 John 14:18,20 Colossians 1:27

18 His Ascension and Priestly Ministry E.The Present Work of Christ on Earth He also abides in His church in the sense that He is the giver of eternal life to His church. John 1:4John 10:10 John 11:25John 14:6 Colossians 3:41 John 5:12

19 His Ascension and Priestly Ministry E.The Present Work of Christ on Earth In addition to Christ’s own ministry to the church, He has sent His Holy Spirit to accomplish a present work in the believer, and the Father, likewise, indwells all believers in this age. John 14:23

20 1. How does the ascension of Christ relate to His exaltation? Since the resurrection of Christ is the first in a series of exaltations of Christ, the ascension of Christ to heaven may be considered the second important step. 2. Discuss the question of whether Christ ascended on the day of His resurrection. John 20:17, Hebrews 9:12, Hebrews 9: Most evangelicals interpret the present tense of John 20:17, “I ascend,” as a vivid future. The expressions in Hebrews that Christ entered heaven with His blood are better translated “by His blood” or “through His blood.”

21 3. What evidence may be offered to prove that the ascension in Acts 1 was a literal ascension? Four Greek words are used in Acts 1 in regards to Christ’s ascension: ejpaivrw ( epairo ), meaning “to lift up,” uJpolambavnw ( hupolambano ), meaning “to take, or bear up,” “to take from below,” poreuvomai ( poreuomai ), meaning “go, proceed, travel,” ajnalambavnw ( analambano ), meaning “to take up,” “raise”, better translated “received up.” These four statements are significant because in verse 11 it is predicted that His second coming will be in like manner; gradual, visible, bodily, and with clouds.

22 4. To what extent does Scripture testify to the arrival of Christ in heaven after His ascension? Many passages testify that Christ is seen in heaven after His ascension. Acts 2:33-36; Acts 3:21; Acts 7:55-56; Acts 9:3- 6; Acts 22:6-8; Acts 26:13-15; Romans 8:34; Ephesians 1:20-22; Ephesians 4:8-10; Philippians 2:6-11; Philippians 3:20; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; 1 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 2:7; Hebrews 4:14; Hebrews 6:20; Hebrews 7:26; Hebrews 8:1; Hebrews 9:24; Hebrews 10:12-13; Hebrews 12:2; 1 John 2:1; Revelation 1:7; Revelation 1:13-18; Revelation 5:5-12; Revelation 6:9-17; Revelation 7:9-17; Revelation 14:1-5; Revelation ; 19:11-16

23 5. How does the ascension of Christ relate to His earthly ministry? The ascension marked the end of His earthly ministry. 6. In what sense was the ascension of Christ a triumph? His entrance into heaven was a great triumph, signifying the completion of His work on earth, and an entering into His new sphere of work at the right hand of the Father. 7. Distinguish the throne of Christ in heaven from the Davidic throne. The throne which Christ occupies in heaven is the Father’s throne, not to be confused with the Davidic throne which is earthly.

24 8. Name the seven figures relating Christ to His church. –Christ as the last Adam and head of the new creation. –Christ as the Head of the body of Christ. –Christ as the Great Shepherd of His sheep. –Christ as the True Vine in relation to the branches. –Christ as the Chief Cornerstone in relation to the church as stones of the building. –Christ as our High Priest in relationship to the church as a royal priesthood. –Christ as the Bridegroom in relation to the church as the bride.

25 9. What is the significance of Christ now being seated on the Father’s throne? That He sat down on His Father’s throne and not on His own throne reveals the truth, constantly and so consistently taught in the Scriptures, that He did not set up a kingdom on the earth at His first advent into the world, but that He is now “expecting” until the time when that kingdom shall come in the earth and the divine will shall be done on earth as it is done in heaven.

How is Christ as our High Priest related to the bestowal of spiritual gifts from men? To each believer some gift is given, but the blessing and power of the gift will be experienced only when the life is wholly yielded to God. The Spirit will be working in that one both to will and to do of His good pleasure. Certain men who are called his “gifts unto men” are provided and locally placed in their service by the ascended Christ. The Lord did not leave this work to the uncertain and insufficient judgment of men.

Contrast the priestly intercession of Christ with the priests of the Old Testament. The priestly intercession of Christ is not only effectual, but unending. The priests of old failed because of death; but Christ, because He ever lives, has an unchanging priesthood. 12. Describe the work of Christ as our Advocate in heaven. As Advocate, Christ is now appearing in heaven for His own when they sin. His pleading is said to be with the Father and Satan is there also, ceasing not to accuse the brethren night and day before God.

Describe the work of Christ as our Advocate in heaven. In marvelous grace and without solicitation from men, the Advocate pleads the cause of the guilty child of God. He pleads His own efficacious blood, and the Father is free to preserve His child against every accusation from Satan or men and from the very judgments which sin would otherwise impose, since Christ through His death became the propitiation for our sins. The truth concerning the priestly ministry of Christ in heaven does not make it easy for the Christian to sin.

Describe the work of Christ as our Advocate in heaven. On the contrary, these very things are written that we be not sinning, for no one can sin carelessly who considers the necessary pleading which his sin imposes upon the Advocate. 13. To what extent is Christ also working on earth during the present age? Christ is also at work in His church on earth while He is bodily at the right hand of God in heaven. In numerous passages Christ is said to indwell His church and to be with His church.