“And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight” Acts 1:9

The ascension of Jesus into Heaven crowns the beauty of his glorious work. Believers should therefore appreciate this glorious moment at all times. Please join me as we examine the beauty of His Ascension.

1. He Ascended as the Crucified One - When Jesus returned to Heaven, He returned bearing in His body the marks of the cross (John 20:27; Rev. 5:6; Zech. 13:6). He went back to Heaven as the crucified Lamb of God. He returned having accomplished redemption on the cross for all who will believe in Him by faith. He returned with His Own blood to present in Heaven as the perfect, eternal, once for all atonement for sin (Heb. 10:12-13; Heb. 9:11-14)

2. He Ascended as the Conqueror - When He ascended back to Heaven, He ascended as a conquering general Who had invaded the territory of the enemy, ransacked his position, spoiled him and returned in victory to His Own city! This is exactly what the Bible says He did (Col. 2:13-15). 

3. He Ascended as the Consoler - When He returned to Heaven, He did not leave His people alone. He sent His Spirit into the world to indwell, fill, guide and comfort the people of the Lord (John 16:7). He sent the Holy Spirit, Who came bringing gifts for the people of God (Eph. 4:8; 1 Cor. 12). His gifts make our service to Him possible.

4. He Ascended as the Intercessor - One of the most vital ministries the Lord provides for us is His ministry of intercession. He is our Mediator (1 Tim. 2:5, John 14:6). He is our advocate (1 John 2:2). He expresses our heart and our needs before the throne of grace (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25). 

5. He Ascended as the Confirming One - His presence in Heaven is the guarantee of our presence in Heaven someday (Eph. 2:6)! He ascended into Heaven as our “forerunner” (Heb. 6:18-20). 

He Ascended as the Coming king - These two angels promised the disciples that this same Jesus would return in the same manner. They are referring to His second coming! When He went up, He left the promise that He would come down again! When He comes the next time, it will be to receive His people unto Himself and take them to Heaven, (1 Cor. 15:51-52); 1 Thes.