The following post is taken from The Life of Christ in Five Phases, Lesson Eighteen, ‘The End of Jesus’ Earthly Stay’’ by Aaron J. Smith. You may purchase the book here: http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/the-life-of-christ-in-five-phases/6044150 NOTE: The aforementioned book will be replaced by a revised version in a few months.
After telling the disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they were “clothed with power from on high,” Jesus led them out of Jerusalem, going to Bethany about two miles away. Descending from Jerusalem into the Kidron valley lying east of Jerusalem, they crossed over to the Mount of Olives where less than two months ago (in Gethsemane) Jesus had assumed the sins of the world. Ascending the Mount, they came to the outer edge of Bethany, where Jesus halted. Facing the disciples, He lifted His hands toward them and blessed them. As He was so engaged, He slowly began to ascend into the heavens until a cloud received Him out of their sight.
With reference to Jesus’ ascension, Apostle Paul observes,
“This is why it says [Psalm 68.18]: ‘When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men.’" (Eph. 4:8)
Further into the epistle Paul explains what the gifts were:
“11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (Eph. 8.11-13 NIV)
(Also ref., a pamphlet by Smith, A Discourse on the Gifts of the Spirit As They Relate to Individual Personalities 2007. You may purchase it on the Web at http://www.lulu.com/content/5474n009 )
The ascension of Jesus to the Father in heaven was as crucial to the redemption of man as were His birth, life, suffering and death and resurrection. The writer of the book of Hebrews informs us,
“For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's presence.” (Heb. 9.24 NIV)
The writer is saying that Jesus is now in the presence of the Father presenting His (Jesus’) blood to the Father as atonement for our sins past, present and future. As confirmation of this we read earlier in the same chapter the following comment (vs. 12 NIV):
“He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption [for all mankind].”
Also there is this:
“Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding [at this moment] for us.” (Heb. 8.33, 34 NIV)
We are indeed saved eternally – if we hold on to our faith in the atoning blood of Jesus.
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