The Ascension of Jesus Christ – Part 1
JOHN 20:17 – “Jesus saith unto her, TOUCH ME NOT; for I am not yet ASCENDED to my Father; but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ASCEND unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and to your God”.
Jesus commands Mary Magdalene to “Touch me not”. The word “Touch” is the Strong’s Greek word # 680 and means “To attach oneself to; to cling to; to fasten to; to touch” and is in the PRESENT TENSE. The probable explanation of these words is to be found in the fact that Mary had cast herself at the feet of Jesus and continued to do so, and perhaps to make doubly sure, the fact that it was the Lord’s body. Jesus’s words were spoken to her to get her to stop clinging to His feet.
THE COMMAND GIVEN TO MARY IS THE SAME COMMAND GIVEN TO ALL CHRISTIANS – “GO AND TELL ALL, THAT CHRIST JESUS IS RISEN AND NOT TO DELAY!
Jesus tells Mary to go to “MY BRETHREN” and tell them “I (WILL) ASCEND”. This is the first time that Jesus called His disciples “MY BRETHREN”. Previously, the Lord had said that His brethren were those who “WHO HEAR THE WORD OF GOD AND DO IT” (LUKE 8:21).
The ASCENSION is the moment where Christ Jesus – the “Second Adam” (1 CORINTHIANS 15:45)- in all of His physical, bodily humanity, returns to the actual presence of God the Father. It is the beginning of the reversal of the fall of man and the indwelling of God with man. Christ Jesus is the “Firstborn from the dead” (COLOSSIANS 1:18).
CHRIST JESUS’ GLORIOUS RETURN TO HEAVEN PAVES THE WAY FOR MANKIND TO HAVE ETERNAL LIFE!
CHRIST JESUS’ ASCENSION IS ABSOLUTELY CRUCIAL TO KNOW WHO HE IS AND WHAT HE ACCOMPLISHED, ON THE CROSS, FOR ALL OF HUMANITY!
Christ Jesus’ ASCENSION is absolutely CRUCIAL for the daily life of every believer. When Christ Jesus ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN, it wasn’t just because He had finished things up and needed to get back to Heaven, to rest and unwind. There is more to it than the fact of Christ’s departure. Instead, the ASCENSION is of vital importance for the whole of the Christian faith.
Just as correctly understanding and believing “The Word of God”, concerning Christ Jesus’s birth, life, ministry, crucifixion, death, burial, and His resurrection, marks the beginning of a new age, “The Church Age”, in human history. So in like fashion, we must conclude that CHRIST JESUS’ ASCENSION also marks a massive shift in the course of world events. No longer was Christ Jesus personally present. Now, He was ascending back to His Heavenly Father. He had predicted that this time would come, and now, it was here. By the act of HIS ASCENSION, He was providing us with a
valuable lesson – everything He came to do, in His earthly life and ministry, was successfully finished.
*THE VITAL IMPORTANCE OF THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST JESUS – TO ALL OF HUMANITY!
(1). It signaled the end of His earthly ministry. God the Father had lovingly sent His Son into the world to be born in Bethlehem, and that the Heavenly Father was “Well pleased” with His Son (LUKE 3:32). Now, the Son was returning to the Father. The period of Jesus’ human limitation was at an end (PHILIPPIANS 2:5-8).
(2). The ASCENSION signaled His successful “Earthly work” and all that He had come to do – That He had “FINISHED” (ACCOMPLISHED IT) (JOHN 19:30)!
(3). It marked the return of Christ Jesus’ “Heavenly glory”. Jesus’ glory had been veiled during His sojourn to the earth, with one brief exception, at His “Transfiguration” (MATTHEW 17:1-9).
(4). It symbolized His exaltation by the Heavenly Father (EPHESIANS 1:20-23). The one with whom the Father was well pleased (MATTHEW 17:5) – was received up in honor and given a name, above all names (PHILIPPIANS 2:9).
IF CHRIST JESUS, DID NOT ASCEND, VISIBLY AND BODILY INTO HEAVEN; THEN THE BIBLE IS A FRAUDULENT DOCUMENT AND THEN THE PROMISES OF THE BIBLE, FOR THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN THE BIBLE, ARE NOT THE TRUTH AND ARE LIES!
BUT IF CHRIST JESUS DID ASCEND BODILY AND VISIBLY, INTO HEAVEN, THEN ALL BELIEVERS ARE POSSESSORS OF ALL THE GREAT PROMISES, IN THE WORD OF GOD – AND IS CERTAINLY BETTER, THAN ANY PROMISE, THAT COMES, FROM THIS WORLD!
The Ascension of Christ Jesus, to God the Father’s right hand, not only certifies that a satisfactory atonement has been made, but it also inaugurates the eternal intercessory work of Christ Jesus (HEBREWS 7:25, 26; HEBREWS 9:24; HEBREWS 10:12), and thus guarantees that we will always have a loving and sympathetic access to the Heavenly Father.
* BUT IN ADDITION TO THE BENEFITS, TO HUMANITY IN GENERAL, THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST JESUS IS ALSO OF VITAL IMPORTANCE – TO THOSE IN “THE BODY OF CHRIST”.
(5). IT ALLOWS THE INDWELLING OF THE HOLY GHOST (SPIRIT). IT ALLOWS THE HOLY GHOST (THE COMFORTER) TO COME TO US AND IN US!
The English word “COMFORTER” is translated from the Strong’s Greek word # 3875, “Parakletos”, and it’s found five times, in five verses. This Greek word is only found in the writings of the Apostle John, where it is translated four times as “COMFORTER” and one time “ADVOCATE”. This Holy Spirit was destined to take the place of Christ Jesus, with the apostles and the rest of “The Body of Christ”; through “The Church Age” (After the Ascension of Christ Jesus). The Holy Spirit leads all in “The Body of Christ” to a deeper knowledge of the Gospel truth, and gives believers divine strength needed to enable them to undergo trials and persecutions on behalf of “The Kingdom of God”.
JOHN 7:39 – “(But this spake He of the (HOLY) SPIRIT, WHICH THEY THAT BELIEVE ON HIM SHOULD RECEIVE: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; BECAUSE THAT JESUS WAS NOT YET GLORIFIED (ASCENDED)”.
(6). THE HOLY GHOST TEACHES THE BELIEVER “ALL THINGS” THAT WAS DIRECTLY SPOKEN OF BY CHRIST JESUS AND IS IN THE WORD OF GOD.
JOHN 14:26 – “But the COMFORTER, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the (Heavenly) Father will send in my name, he shall teach you ALL THINGS, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you”.
THE SIXTEENTH CHAPTER OF JOHN IS CHRIST JESUS’ FINAL TEACHING, AS HE IS DEPARTING FOR HIS WORK ON THE CROSS AND FOR HIS ASCENSION INTO HEAVEN, AND IT IS ABOUT THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!
JOHN 16:7 – “NEVERTHELESS I tell you the truth; IT IS EXPEDIENT (IT IS AN ADVANTAGE) FOR YOU THAT I GO AWAY: for if I go not away, the COMFORTER (THE HOLY SPIRIT) will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you”.
THE WORD OF GOD WAS SENT TO US, TO CHALLENGE OUR SORROWS AND UNBELIEF!
“NEVERTHELESS” – Is one of the great words of the Bible, meaning “DESPITE ALL OF THAT”. Jesus knew that His disciples were filled with sorrow and unbelief because of what He had told them. But, “DESPITE ALL OF THAT, He wanted them to know, it was “EXPEDIENT – TO THEIR ADVANTAGE.
*Jesus was saying to His disciples, “It is to your ADVANTAGE, that I am arrested, it is to your ADVANTAGE, that my teachings and miracles are stopped, it is to your ADVANTAGE, that I am beaten, it’s to your ADVANTAGE, that I am mocked, it’s to your ADVANTAGE, that I am sentenced for execution, it is to your ADVANTAGE, that I am nailed to a cross, it’s to your ADVANTAGE, that I die in the company of notorious criminals and it’s to your ADVANTAGE, that my lifeless body is laid in a cold grave.
*BECAUSE (NEVERTHELESS) IT IS MORE BLESSED TO LIVE IN “THE DISPENSATION OF THE HOLY GHOST” – LIVING IN YOU AND THROUGH YOU – THAN EVEN BEING IN THE PHYSICAL PRESENCE OF CHRIST JESUS AND IT IS NOT EVEN CLOSE, BY MY ESTIMATION!
(7). THE WORK OF THE HOLY GHOST, AS A “REPROVER”, IN THE WORLD.
JOHN 16:8 – “And when He has come, He will REPROVE THE WORLD of SIN, and of RIGHTEOUSNESS, and of JUDGMENT”:
THE “REPROVE” HERE IS THE STRONG’S GREEK WORD # 1651, AND MEANS “TO REPROVE, REBUKE, CONVINCE, CONVICT, AND TO CORRECT BY WORD OR DEED”.
JOHN 16:9 – “Of SIN, because they BELIEVE NOT ON ME”;
It is UNBELIEF that causes people to reject Jesus, which ultimately proves one to be guilty of their sins. The Holy Ghost conveys the importance of trusting in, relying on, and clinging to Jesus to avoid sin.
JOHN 16:10 – “Of RIGHTEOUSNESS, BECAUSE I GO TO MY (HEAVENLY) FATHER, and ye see me no more”;
The Ascension of Christ Jesus to Heaven demonstrated that He had perfectly fulfilled the Father’s will and had proven Himself righteous and exposed the lack of righteousness of the world that rejected Him.
JOHN 16:11 – “Of JUDGMENT, because THE PRINCE OF THIS WORLD (SATAN) IS JUDGED”.
The Judgment of Satan himself means that there will be a final reckoning between God and his rebellious creature. The Holy GHOST warns the world, THAT IT IS COMING TO JUDGMENT.
WHEN PEOPLE ASK ME, “WHAT IS THE WORLD COMING TO ?” – I USUALLY SAY “JUDGMENT”!
Normally, CONVICTION is followed by JUDGMENT. When the Holy Ghost works, there is an in-between step: THE REVELATION OF THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRIST JESUS, which can satisfy the judgment, for the convicted and repentant person.
(7). THE HOLY GHOST IS A “REPROVER” OF THE BODY OF CHRIST (THE CHURCH).
REVELATION 3:19 – “As many as I love I REBUKE and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent”.
This is the last place where the Strong’s Greek word # 1651 is used in the New Testament Bible. It indirectly proves that the Holy Ghost is a “REPROVER” of “The Body of Christ” or “The Church”, in “The Last Days”.
(8). THE HOLY GHOST IS A “REPROVER”, IN AND THROUGH THE WITNESS, OF THE BODY OF CHRIST!
EPHESIANS 5:11 – “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather REPROVE THEM.
2 TIMOTHY 4:2 – “Preach the Word; be instant in season, out of season; REPROVE, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine.
* The Holy Ghost does not minister in a vacuum. Just as the Son of God had to have a physical body in order to do His work on earth, in like fashion, the Spirit of God needs a BODY to accomplish His ministries, and THAT “BODY” IS THE CHURCH!
Our bodies are His tools and temples, and He wants to use us to glorify Christ Jesus and be the witness to a lost and dying world.
On the first day of the week, according to the Jewish calendar, Christ Jesus makes His first appearance to the disciples, who had shut their doors, “For fear of the Jews (Jewish leaders)”. Jesus appears in their midst. He then says these words in JOHN 20:21: “Then said Jesus to them again, PEACE BE WITH YOU: AS MY FATHER HATH SENT ME, EVEN SO SEND I YOU”.
JOHN 20:22 – “And when He (Jesus) had said this, He breathed on them, and said unto them, RECEIVE YE THE HOLY GHOST”:
JOHN 20:22 reminds us of GENESIS 2:7, when God “BREATHED” life into the first man. In both Hebrew and Greek, the word for “BREATHE” also means “SPIRIT”.
(9). THE BREATH OF GOD, IN THE FIRST CREATION, BROUGHT PHYSICAL LIFE, AND THE BREATH OF CHRIST JESUS, IN “THE NEW CREATION”, BROUGHT SPIRITUAL LIFE!
The believers would receive the “Baptism of the Spirit” at Pentecost and the empowerment for ministry (ACTS 1:4, 5; ACTS 2:1-4). Apart from the “Filling of the Spirit”, they could not go forth to witness effectively. The Spirit had dwelt WITH THEM, in the person of Christ, but now the Holy Spirit would be IN THEM (JOHN 14:7).
The Holy Ghost works through the people in whom He lives in. When the Holy Ghost came at Pentecost, He empowered Peter to preach, and the preaching of the Word of God brought conviction to those who heard its message.
(10). THE HOLY GHOST WILL TEACH AND GUIDE “THE BODY OF CHRIST”.
JOHN 16:12 – “I have many things to say unto you, but YE CANNOT BEAR THEM NOW.”
Jesus frankly admits that His own teachings were incomplete because the disciples at that time could not “BEAR” those teachings, and anticipated the further instructions by the Holy Ghost.
JOHN 16:13 – “Howbeit when He, the Spirit of Truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: AND HE WILL SHOW YOU THINGS TO COME”.
In one sense, this was fulfilled when the New Testament was written, divinely inspired by God, and completed. In another sense, the Holy Ghost continues, today, to personally lead us into truth, but never in opposition to the Holy Scriptures, which are already written, because God’s supreme authoritative revelation is closed, and until all of God’s word is fulfilled, in the Old Testament and in the New Testament Bible.
JOHN 16:14 – “He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you”.
JOHN 16:15 – “All things that the Father hath are mine: to us therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you”.
The Holy Ghost ministry is to REVEAL JESUS TO US, to bear testimony of Jesus (JOHN 15:26). He uses many different ways and many different gifts, to accomplish this, but the purpose is always the same – TO REVEAL CHRIST JESUS TO US!
