6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

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

10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

11 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.

Acts 1:6-11 (KJV)

There are three main scriptures which give us the historical record of the ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ: Mark 16:19, Luke 24:51 and Acts 1:9.

It is clear from these passages that our Saviour, who was crucified, died and was buried and who rose again – ascended! This He did forty days after He rose again from the dead.

Sometimes, it is easy for us, Christians, to neglect the doctrine of the ascension of our Lord. We give far too little attention to this period in His earthly life than we do.

Few notes will help us understand that the ascension of Lord Jesus was:

  • Declared by Old Testament prophecy. (Psalm 68:18)
  • Anticipated by our Lord Himself in a promise. (John 7:33)
  • Recorded in history: His birth, His life, His death, and His resurrection are recorded in history, and so is His ascension. Each historical fact is necessary to the integrity of the whole record.
  • Confirmed by the angels: His birth (Luke 2:9-10), His resurrection (Mark 16:6-7), and His ascension (Acts 1:9-11).

The Lord’s ascension was essential to show His earthly work is completed.

He came to do His Father’s will which was to die upon Calvary’s Cross for the sins of men. (1 Peter 2:24) In anticipation of this, He prayed – “I have finished the work.” (John 17:4) In the process of doing this, He said – “It is finished.” (John 19:30) When the work was actually done, He ascended and “sat down…“ (Hebrews 10:11-12)

The Lord’s ascension was essential so that He will be our high priest.

It was only His earthly work that was finished – His heavenly work had not yet started. That is why it was necessary for Him to ascend in order that He might begin this work – His priestly work. As our great High Priest, He now stands in the presence of God as our advocate (1 John 2:1) and our mediator (1Timothy 2:5). Because He is now our High Priest, we can come boldly unto the throne of grace!

The Lord’s ascension was essential before He could send the Holy Spirit.

Do you remember in Matthew, John the Baptist said about his baptism and Christ’s baptism? The ascension of Jesus Christ means the presence and power of the Holy Spirit is within us. On two occasions, Jesus prepared His followers for the coming of the Holy Spirit. Because He didn’t leave them comfortless (John 14:16).

It’s the responsibility of the ascended Christ to send the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God indwells us and is with us forever. As our helper, He guides us into all truth (John 16:13). This permanent and guiding Helper, this Spirit of God, indwells every believer. Without the ascension of Christ, there’s no indwelling Spirit inside of us.

The Lord’s ascension was essential so He would prepare our heavenly home.

At His ascension, the “bridegroom” went to prepare a place for “His bride.” He has been engaged in that work of preparation for over 2000 years. Heaven is a wonderful place! Where Christ, our forerunner, has gone, His people may and will also go there someday! (Hebrews 6:20)

Every real Christian is a living proof of an ascended Lord! Not only we are serving a risen Savior, we are saved (Hebrews 7:25), kept moment by moment (Jude 24), live in constant fellowship (1 John 1:3) and are represented (1 John 2:1) by an ascended Lord.