The Ascension of Jesus Christ

 

Text: Luke 24:49-53 and Acts 1:8-11

 

Introduction: Quote from Vallowe, the last milestone of Christ’s first coming and an important prophetic picture of his second coming (Acts 1:11).

What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? John 6:62

“… I leave the world, and go to the Father.” John 16:28

 

The scene is the Mount of Olives (in Luke 24 it says as far as to Bethany which if you read Mark 11:1 puts you at the Mount of Olives), just opposite Mt. Moriah which is the site of the fortified city of Jerusalem. The mount is a limestone ridge running a little over a mile in length and separated from the Eastern wall of the city by the Brook Kidron.

 

This location was very important site throughout Jesus’ ministry. Jesus, according to Luke 21:37, went to the Mount of Olives frequently to pray and have time with the Father. It’s no coincidence that at this site that he’s prophesied to return to at his second coming he gave his most extensive prophetic discourse in Matt 24-25. It was from this location that he dispatched two of his disciples to secure the colt for his triumphal entry, this was the location of his departure into Jerusalem for that entry, and it’s on the Mount of Olives that he spent the most agonizing and sorrowful moments in the Garden before going to the Cross for us.

He spent 40 days after his resurrection revealing himself to his disciples walking around in a glorified body having fellowship with mortal man. (It’s a picture of what we’ll be doing when we return to earth to reign with him for 1000 years.) And now he carries his disciples out to Olivet to give his final instruction to them before leaving planet Earth.

 

So How do you know He made it?

 

1. The Bible says he ascended.

  1. §         Get the picture: Jesus with his disciples, the last instructions…
  2. §         Mark 16:19 “received up” (The glorious heavenly reception)
  3. §         Lk 24:51 “carried up” (Desire to be with the Father) Jesus even told his disciples that if they loved him they’d rejoice that he was going back to the Father (John 14:28)
  4. §         Acts 1:9 “taken up” (Desire of Father to be with the Son) If the Father would speak out of heaven at his baptism and his transfiguration to honor him imagine the way he’d respond to have him in his presence once again.

 

In Acts 1:9 it says that a cloud received him out of their sight.

 

While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. Matthew 17:5

 

And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD, 1 Kings 8:10

 

These two men standing by even tell you that what they’re looking at is a picture of Jesus Christ Second Coming. And when he come he does so sitting on a white cloud according to Revelation 14 and he come in power and great glory.

 

2. The Comforter showed up.

 

Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

John 16:7

  • Comfort: If Jesus hadn’t ascended there’d be no comfort for the church of God, because there’d be no Comforter present with us.
  • Conviction: He said he’d reprove the world of sin and righteousness and judgment. You ever seen the Spirit of God just bear down on a mind that needs the Lord? That’s proof of the ascension.
  • Courage: Ye shall be witnesses, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you.

 

3. The Saint’s Prayers are being answered.

Hebrews 10:12 “sat down on the right hand”

Mark 16:19 “sat down on the right hand of God”

Hebrews 1:3 “sat down on the right hand of majesty on high”

  • Heb 4:15-15
  • 1 John 2:1 “Advocate”
  • 1 Tim 2:5 One mediator between God and man…
  • Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25

 

4. I’m going to where he is! And that’s heaven.

How many of you know where you’re going when you die? John 14:1-3

 

Law versus Grace (Mark 11 versus Acts 1)

  • Speaks to 2 out of the 12 vs. speaking to all
  • Go ye therefore and do something vs. Tarry ye in Jerusalem
  • Ye shall find a colt vs. ye shall receive power
  • Rode into the temple prior to humiliation vs. riding a cloud up to glory

 

 “Lifted up his hands” twice in the Bible

Habakkuk 3:10  speaks of the deep lifting up his hands in judgment vs. Luke 24:50 where Jesus Christ lifted up his hands and blessed them. The difference between the first and the second is Christ lifting up his hands on Calvary and purchasing your soul.

 

You must see the Lord lifting up his hands to buy you before he’ll lift up his hands and bless you!