The Exaltation of Christ
The Ascension
Exalted to the Right Hand of God
Description
Forty days after His resurrection, Christ ascended visibly into heaven, received up in glory, and seated at the Father's right hand—the position of supreme honor and authority. The ascension completes the humiliation-exaltation pattern: He who descended is the same who ascended far above all heavens. From this throne He pours out the Spirit, intercedes for His people, and rules over all creation. The ascension marks the beginning of His heavenly session, where He awaits the subjugation of all enemies under His feet. He ascended to prepare a place for us and promised to return in the same manner—visibly, bodily, gloriously.
Key Verses
And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men... He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.
Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.
Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named.
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow.
Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.