{"id":9619,"date":"2023-04-09T17:01:48","date_gmt":"2023-04-09T22:01:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/abidingfathers.org\/?p=9619"},"modified":"2023-04-09T18:13:26","modified_gmt":"2023-04-09T23:13:26","slug":"ascended-and-reigning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/abidingfathers.org\/ascended-and-reigning\/","title":{"rendered":"Ascended and reigning!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Scripture\u2026<\/em><\/strong>records the birth, life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. All essential for the redemption of mankind, our salvation, as well as God\u2019s complete fulfillment of his plan for his creation as outlined in Genesis 1. But the one part that usually goes less noticed is the ascension. No less vital but it tends to get lost between Jesus\u2019 resurrection and the Spirit\u2019s filling of the saints at Pentecost 50 days later.<\/p>\n

Our salvation through the gospel\u2014\u2018Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead\u2019\u2014allows us to be redeemed and saved from sin\u2019s stronghold. Hallelujah! But unless Jesus ascended back to his Father\u2019s side, you and I would simply be following Jesus around watching him do all his many miracles, helping out here and there. Thus, we would not really be that useful for the kingdom. Remember what he said?\u00a0\u201cMost assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>(Jn. 14.12). The \u2018he\u2019 is you and me.<\/p>\n

Where is heaven, the place in which Jesus and the Father dwell? Listen to Psalm 8.1.\u00a0\u201cO Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth, who have set Your glory above the heavens!\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>The Father has put the Son in complete charge of running his universe. Once he ascended back to the Father, the Holy Spirit was given to Jesus to accomplish the eternal mission of God. Where better place, what better \u2018view\u2019 than where he has ascended.<\/p>\n

Jesus said he had to go away.\u00a0\u201cNevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send him to you\u201d<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0(Jn. 16.7). Now, from his vantage point, high and lifted up, as King and High Priest, he can see every empty soul and much more. And he has The Communicator, his Spirit.<\/p>\n

God\u2019s plan all along was to use us in this mission. He has made it possible through the gospel, and with the ascension of Jesus. Saved us, now sending us! Genesis 1.26a & 28 must be understood in its fullest sense.\u00a0\u201cThen God said, let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness;\u2026 then God blessed them, and God said to them, \u201cBe fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>Do you see this? It is his original plan, interrupted by the Fall, and now restored to finish the task. Through us, empowered by the Spirit, under the direction of the Son, to the glory of the Father. All can now be completed because of Christ\u2019s ascension at the right hand of the Father. In and through us!<\/p>\n

And you know what we get out of this? Joy, indescribable joy! Hear what the Lord said to his disciples, and now to us.\u00a0\u201cIf you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples\u2026These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>(Jn. 15. 7,8 & 11).<\/p>\n

Jesus’ ascension was the last step in God\u2019s eternal plan for creation. He is Risen, indeed, and He has also ascended! Hallelujah and Amen. O, I\u2019m sorry, there really is one last step. Scripture tells us he is coming back!! Are you ready?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Scripture\u2026records the birth, life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. All essential for the redemption of mankind, our salvation, as well as God\u2019s complete fulfillment of his plan for his 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