5.1 Ascension

Jesus ascended to heaven for the Holy Spirit to descend upon the church. The church became His body, reaching the entire world to declare the gospel. The division of the tongues on Pentecost enabled each recipient to continue the ministry of Jesus Christ worldwide. Every Christian received their own "copy" of the Holy Spirit. They acquired divinity - the very divine nature of God that was in Jesus Christ.

They were welcomed into fellowship with the Father and Son. The Holy Spirit marked their ambassadorship as those who further God's earthly kingdom. The disciples received customized growth plans. Thus began the priesthood and ministry of all believers.

Romans 8:26-27 explains the ministry of the Holy Spirit in each believer:

2 Romans 8:26-27

26 In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don't know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can't be uttered.

27 He who searches the hearts knows what is on the Spirit's mind, because he makes intercession for the saints according to God.

The Holy Spirit introduced discernment to the believers, distinguishing between God's thoughts and theirs. Meanwhile, the Holy Spirit activates the words of the Bible to keep disciples from justifying disobedience. The Holy Spirit approves and disapproves of our choices.

Believers hear Jesus' words spoken to them through the Holy Spirit. God the Son, i.e., Jesus the Word, is no longer just walking beside them. God the Holy Spirit, Father, and Son have come to fellowship with believers and believers with them.

The natural man Jesus died on the cross. Subsequently, the disciples witnessed Jesus' return from the grave. He was resurrected with a physical nature where he could partake of food and drink and experience physical touch, but He was also spiritual and could walk through doors. Before His ascension to heaven, it assured the disciples that He overcame death was alive forever.

Jesus had a plan for the disciples to carry on the work of His ministry. That hasn't changed and applies to his followers to this day. His disciples have been called to serve the Great Commission from generation to generation.

His disciples still did not understand because they had not yet received the Holy Spirit. This is evident from the passage in Acts 1:6-11:

6 Acts 1:6-11

6 Therefore when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, are you now restoring the kingdom to Israel?"

7 He said to them, "It isn't for you to know times or seasons which the Father has set within his own authority.

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth."

9 When he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight.

10 While they were looking steadfastly into the sky as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white clothing,

11 who also said, "You men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who was received up from you into the sky, will come back in the same way as you saw him going into the sky."

God the Son returned to heaven in a spiritually glorified body. After that, Jesus never again appeared to any disciples in physical form. It was only with spiritual ears and eyes that they would behold Him. Does it mean that He cannot? He is God and He can do as He wills, but maybe we do not understand why He chooses not to do so.

It was like when Elijah was taken up into heaven. He was changed from having a physical body to a spiritual body. The same thing happened to Enoch because he pleased God. He was also given a completely spiritual nature.

Peter, James, and John understood the concept of the cloud because of their experience on the Mount of Transfiguration. The transfiguration can be understood from the events surrounding Luke 9:28-36:

9 Luke 9:28-36

28 About eight days after these sayings, he took with him Peter, John, and James, and went up onto the mountain to pray.

29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became white and dazzling.

30 Behold, two men were talking with him, who were Moses and Elijah,

31 who appeared in glory, and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.

32 Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they were fully awake, they saw his glory, and the two men who stood with him.

33 As they were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good for us to be here. Let's make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah," not knowing what he said.

34 While he said these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered into the cloud.

35 A voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is my beloved Son. Listen to him!"

36 When the voice came, Jesus was found alone. They were silent, and told no one in those days any of the things which they had seen.

In 2 Peter 1:16-18, Peter commented on this experience and of Jesus coming to the earth in power, of which Peter and the other apostles were eyewitnesses.

3 2 Peter 1:16-18

16 For we didn't follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

17 For he received from God the Father honor and glory when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

18 We heard this voice come out of heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain.

Jesus revealed what a transfigured life looked like on the other side of the cloud, and He proved that He had a unique relationship with His Father. He showed that Moses and Elijah were subordinate to Him, even as the disciples should be. There was confusion about Jesus being reincarnated as Elijah. Jesus clarified this issue before He died, revealing the truth to Peter in Luke 9:18-20.

3 Luke 9:18-20

18 As he was praying alone, the disciples were with him, and he asked them, "Who do the multitudes say that I am?"

19 They answered, "'John the Baptizer,' but others say, 'Elijah,' and others, that one of the old prophets has risen again."

20 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered, "The Christ of God."

Elijah was held in high esteem. In Matthew 27:46-49, some of the "bystanders" thought Elijah might rescue Jesus from the cross.

4 Matthew 27:46-49

46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lima sabachthani?" That is, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

47 Some of them who stood there, when they heard it, said, "This man is calling Elijah."

48 Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with vinegar, put it on a reed, and gave him a drink.

49 The rest said, "Let him be. Let's see whether Elijah comes to save him."

In Luke 9:23-27, Jesus He made a connection between taking up the cross, denying the world, not being ashamed of by the Son of Man when He comes in glory, and His listeners not tasting of death until they see the Kingdom of God. Remember, Jesus' death and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit had not yet occurred.

5 Luke 9:23-27

23 He said to all, "If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.

24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever will lose his life for my sake, will save it.

25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits his own self?

26 For whoever will be ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed, when he comes in his glory, and the glory of the Father, and of the holy angels.

27 But I tell you the truth: There are some of those who stand here who will in no way taste of death until they see God's Kingdom."

When the Holy Spirit was poured out on Pentecost, his disciples saw and experienced the Kingdom of God on earth. This also explains what Jesus meant when He said they would not taste death until after the Kingdom of God imminently arrived on Pentecost.

In Matthew 11:11, Jesus said that the least in the Kingdom of God is greater than John the Baptist. That is because Jesus' disciples received the promise of the Holy Spirit.

1 Matthew 11:11

11 Most certainly I tell you, among those who are born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptizer; yet he who is least in the Kingdommof Heaven is greater than he.

John was the Old Covenant's last prophet who heralded the New Covenant. His very words in John 3:30 convey that the Greater Glory of the New was surpassing the Old before the very eyes and ears of Israel (at leat for those whom had ears to hear).

1 John 3:30

30 He must increase, but I must decrease."

John certified the beginning of Jesus' public ministry given the evidence of the Spirit descending like a dove upon Jesus, but Jesus initiated the public ministry of his disciples with the sign of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, His disciples were clothed with power from on high. Luke described this event in Acts 2:1-4.

4 Acts 2:1-4

1 Now when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all with one accord in one place.

2 Suddenly there came from the sky a sound like the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

3 Tongues like fire appeared and were distributed to them, and one sat on each of them.

4 They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability to speak.

Notice how the tongues were "divided" on each of the disciples. Each received their own personalized "copy" of the Holy Spirit, who was uniquely tuned to their individual hearts and minds. Note that even though the Holy Spirit proceeded forth from God it did not create multiple Holy Spirits. This shows the unique attention that God shows to each of his saints and that He is never too preoccupied with someone or something else.

Colossians 2:10 further describes how Jesus fills us with the Holy Spirit.

1 Colossians 2:10

10 and in him (Jesus) you are made full (by the Holy Spirit), who is the head of all principality and power.

The Kingdom of God is within us because the Holy Spirit tabernacles with us. We are seated in heavenly places in Jesus when He makes intercession for us before the throne. The Holy Spirit concurrently intercedes for us as described in Romans 8:26-27. This is a prime explanation of the purpose of speaking in tongues.

2 Romans 8:26-27

26 In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don't know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can't be uttered.

27 He who searches the hearts knows what is on the Spirit's mind, because he makes intercession for the saints according to God.

Peter quoted the prophet Joel when describing what happened on Pentecost in Acts 2:14-18.

5 Acts 2:14-18

14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice and spoke out to them, "You men of Judea, and all you who dwell at Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to my words.

15 For these aren't drunken, as you suppose, seeing it is only the third hour of the day.

16 But this is what has been spoken through the prophet Joel:

17 'It will be in the last days, says God, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh. Your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions. Your old men will dream dreams.

18 Yes, and on my servants and on my handmaidens in those days, I will pour out my Spirit, and they will prophesy.'

Peter associated Pentecost with the last days prophesied by the prophet Joel. He was not talking about a future end time. Peter prophesied about the last days of the Mosaic Covenant when it was being surpassed by the Greater Glory of the New Covenant.

In Acts 19:1-7, Paul encountered twelve Baptists who had been unaware of the baptism in the Holy Spirit, but they were more than willing to embrace it.

7 Acts 19:1-7

1 While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul, having passed through the upper country, came to Ephesus and found certain disciples.

2 He said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" They said to him, "No, we haven't even heard that there is a Holy Spirit."

3 He said, "Into what then were you baptized?" They said, "Into John's baptism."

4 Paul said, "John indeed baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe in the one who would come after him, that is, in Jesus."

5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

6 When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them and they spoke with other languages and prophesied.

7 They were about twelve men in all.

Revelation 4:1-11 describes what the heavenly realm looked like before Jesus ascended.

11 Revelation 4:1-11

1 After these things I looked and saw a door opened in heaven, and the first voice that I heard, like a trumpet speaking with me, was one saying, "Come up here, and I will show you the things which must happen after this."

2 Immediately I was in the Spirit. Behold, there was a throne set in heaven, and one sitting on the throne

3 that looked like a jasper stone and a sardius. There was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald to look at.

4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones. On the thrones were twenty-four elders sitting, dressed in white garments, with crowns of gold on their heads.

5 Out of the throne proceed lightnings, sounds, and thunders. There were seven lamps of fire burning before his throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

6 Before the throne was something like a sea of glass, similar to crystal. In the middle of the throne, and around the throne were four living creatures full of eyes before and behind.

7 The first creature was like a lion, and the second creature like a calf, and the third creature had a face like a man, and the fourth was like a flying eagle.

8 The four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within. They have no rest day and night, saying, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come!"

9 When the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to him who sits on the throne, to him who lives forever and ever,

10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives forever and ever, and throw their crowns before the throne, saying,

11 "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, the Holy One, to receive the glory, the honor, and the power, for you created all things, and because of your desire they existed, and were created!"

Through John's eyes we get a front-row seat in the throne room of God, who was described as having the appearance of Jasper and Carnelian. It was a prelude to seeing the ascended Jesus in the form of a sacrificial Lamb in Rev 5:1-14.

14 Revelation 5:1-14

1 I saw, in the right hand of him who sat on the throne, a book written inside and outside, sealed shut with seven seals.

2 I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the book, and to break its seals?"

3 No one in heaven above, or on the earth, or under the earth, was able to open the book or to look in it.

4 Then I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open the book or to look in it.

5 One of the elders said to me, "Don't weep. Behold, the Lion who is of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome: he who opens the book and its seven seals."

6 I saw in the middle of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the middle of the elders, a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth.

7 Then he came, and he took it out of the right hand of him who sat on the throne.

8 Now when he had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

9 They sang a new song, saying, "You are worthy to take the book and to open its seals: for you were killed, and bought us for God with your blood out of every tribe, language, people, and nation",

10 and made us kings and priests to our God, and we will reign on the earth."

11 I saw, and I heard something like a voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders. The number of them was ten thousands of ten thousands, and thousands of thousands;

12 saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb who has been killed to receive the power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing!"

13 I heard every created thing which is in heaven, on the earth, under the earth, on the sea, and everything in them, saying, "To him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb be the blessing, the honor, the glory, and the dominion, forever and ever! Amen!"

14 The four living creatures said, "Amen!" Then the elders fell down and worshiped.

Jesus was worshipped like the one on the throne in holiness and adoration. He looked like he had been slain but lived following His crucifixion and ascension. Jesus ascended to the right hand of the Father as the Lamb of God. Satan no longer had a place in the throne room to accuse saints.

Hebrews 1:1-4 further describes Jesus' ascension and His accolades.

4 Hebrews 1:1-4

1 God, having in the past spoken to the fathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways,

2 has at the end of these days spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds.

3 His Son is the radiance of his glory, the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, who, when he had by himself purified us of our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high,

4 having become as much better than the angels as the more excellent name he has inherited is better than theirs.

The Father is a fruit-bearing tree whose exact nature was impregnated within Mary. Jesus had a distinct role on earth as God's mouthpiece. He is also the heir of God's kingdom on earth and in heaven, in all things in complete unity with the Father, including in creation.

Continuing in verse 3:

1 Hebrews 1:3

3 "His Son is the radiance of his glory, the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, (the fullness of the Godhead dwells in Jesus bodily) who, when he had by himself purified us of our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high."

The Father gave all ruling power and authority to Jesus. Before Jesus' ascension to heaven, Satan stood before the court of God in heaven, accusing people before the throne. It began with temptation. Once someone yielded to temptation, they experienced separation from God. They experienced guilt, condemnation, and shame, all of which comprised spiritual death. There was constant anxiety, unwillingness to confess sin for fear of judgment, and a lack of spiritual and emotional peace. Having disobeyed God, they rationalized sinning again because they believed that God would no longer forgive and restore them to spiritual wholeness.

Satan "had the goods on people." He became a self-appointed prosecuting attorney accusing people before the throne of heaven. It is why he was known as the accuser of the brethren: confusion, self-justification, and rebellion warped man's conscience. Satan was not content with only being the prosecuting attorney. He also wanted to be the jury, sentencing judge, and prison warden. In short, he wanted to replace God with himself.

Satan does not fight fair. He will gladly tempt and then blame people for it, but HALLELUJAH, Jesus kicked Satan out of heaven and became an intercessor and advocate for people before the throne of God. Imagine going to court with a citation and noticing a desk where someone offers to pay the penalty for your crime so you can go free. We call it SALVATION!

The 12th chapter of the book of Revelation describes the history of Satan being cast out and Jesus' ascension. Verses 1-6 refer to Mary birthing Jesus as a chosen representative of God's Israel. Meanwhile, Herod had been granted authority by the Roman government, the great Red Dragon, i.e., Herod, who, in his insane lust for power and jealousy of God's appointed king, sought to kill all the male children who were born around the time of Jesus' birth. However, Mary succeeded in giving birth to Jesus, who was caught up to the throne of God, and she fled with Joseph to Egypt to avoid Herod's wrath:

6 Revelation 12:1-6

1 A great sign was seen in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.

2 She was with child. She cried out in pain, laboring to give birth.

3 Another sign was seen in heaven. Behold, a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven crowns.

4 His tail drew one third of the stars of the sky, and threw them to the earth. The dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she gave birth he might devour her child.

5 She gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron. Her child was caught up to God, and to his throne.

6 The woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that there they may nourish her one thousand two hundred sixty days.

Subsequently, verses 7-10 reveal that the accuser of the brethren was cast down from heaven because Jesus ascended to heaven with all power and authority over the devil. Of course, Satan had to be removed from heaven. There was no longer a position for the accuser of the brethren before the throne of God. Jesus' atonement transitioned the court of heaven from wrath and judgment to grace and mercy for all who obey God:

4 Revelation 12:7-10

7 There was war in the sky. Michael and his angels made war on the dragon. The dragon and his angels made war.

8 They didn't prevail. No place was found for them any more in heaven.

9 The great dragon was thrown down, the old serpent, he who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

10 I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation, the power, and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ has come; for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them before our God day and night."

When Jesus ascended to the throne of God, He cast down the accuser of the brethren, whose primary tactic was to bring condemnation, shame, and hopelessness to inhabitants of the earth. In replacement, Jesus inaugurated the Law of the Spirit. This is the crux of transformation from the Old Covenant to the New," even as Paul stated in Romans 8:1-2:

2 Romans 8:1-2

1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who don't walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death.

The Holy Spirit was poured out on all people groups, beginning with the Jews and subsequently the Gentiles, as was clearly stated in Revelation 5:9-10:

2 Revelation 5:9-10

9 They sang a new song, saying, "You are worthy to take the book and to open its seals: for you were killed, and bought us for God with your blood out of every tribe, language, people, and nation,

10 and made us kings and priests to our God, and we will reign on the earth."

How do they reign on earth? Again, Zechariah 4:6 answers this question:

1 Zechariah 4:6

6 'Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says Yahweh of Armies.

Not by human strength, not by power granted by human authority, but by the Holy Spirit. Isaiah 11:4 prophesied this about Jesus:

1 Isaiah 11:4

4 He will judge the poor with righteousness,  and decide with equity for the humble of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth;  and with the breath of his lips he will kill the wicked.

Just as Jesus ministered in healing, deliverance, and correction, so He has also commissioned the church to follow in His footsteps, as stated in John 14:12-14:

3 John 14:12-14

12 Most certainly I tell you, he who believes in me, the works that I do, he will do also; and he will do greater works than these, because I am going to my Father.

13 Whatever you will ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

14 If you will ask anything in my name, I will do it.

Let us further understand Jesus' role in heaven as intercessor as described in Romans 8:31-34:

4 Romans 8:31-34

31 What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

32 He who didn't spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how would he not also with him freely give us all things?

33 Who could bring a charge against God's chosen ones? It is God who justifies.

34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, yes rather, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

In a very real and practical sense, God put a human face on Jesus, whom we can identify with because it is a man's face.

This is so powerful. After pouring out his life on the cross to make purification for our sins and to make God approachable, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. We should accept that the right hand of God is not literal but represents all the authority of God bestowed upon the Son. The Father is inseparable from the Son, and, through the Holy Spirit, we are inseparable from the Father and Son.

He did not leave the disciples (or believers) as orphans. Jesus sits at the Father's right hand in heaven while ruling over the earth through the church, the body of believers, who are Holy Spirit-filled and empowered.

The enemy's hatred brands us with rejection, but the Father's love marks us with acceptance.

If God is for us, who can be against us? - Romans 8:31

(Nothing) will be able to separate us from God's love which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 8:39

Jesus is our ticket to rivers of eternal life on earth and in the life to come.