I tend to think the American Christian church, and even the Reformed church neglects the doctrine of Jesus' Ascension, or Current Exaltation. Where is Jesus right now? What is he doing? Why does your knowledge of it matter to your walk with Christ?
Listen to Acts 1:9. This is the moment of his ascension, "And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight." That's it. It's subtle. They were watching and listening to him. He starts levitating. And a small cloud takes him up through the clouds. But then angels appear and interpret his leaving this way in v. 11, "This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven…” So we have two word groups describing the ascension. We have "lifted up," and "taken up into heaven." But notice how Peter describes it to Luke in the next chapter, in Acts 2:32-33, "This Jesus God raised up [that's his resurrection], and of that we all are witnesses. (33) Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, …" [But that's an elaboration on his ascension. He didn't just leave us to go into the clouds. He didn't just go to heaven the way we leave Florida or Mississippi to come home to Mobile. Peter explains by the Holy Spirit that God the Father exalted Jesus the Messiah who died and rose again by seating him on the throne of exalted glory - the throne of the Messiah, the true throne of David: ruling from the position of the right hand of the Father. THAT's what happened in Acts 1:9. That is what Christ has been doing for the last two thousand years: ruling and reigning as the Messiah over all. The one who descended in the incarnation is also ascended to the right hand of the Father. (Ephesians 4). AND THIS HAS INNUMERABLE IMPLICATIONS FOR YOU AS A CHRISTIAN.]
it means your Messiah, who has brought you into union with him, he is now untouchable, seated on David's Throne.
Psa 2:1-7 Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? (2) The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying, (3) “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” (4) He who sits in the heavens laughs; [he mocks unbelievers!] the Lord holds them in derision. (5) Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, (6) “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.” (7) I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you. [an action of God’s wrath to this world of unbelief and unbelievers is the coronation of his Son, the Anointed One, the Messiah to his right hand. And David and Peter together are saying, he cannot be pulled off the throne.]
He cannot be ripped down. The greatest atheists and scientist have tried. He cannot be thwarted. Satan, the world, and the flesh, have yet to succeed in two thousand you. He cannot be assailed. Where are all the arrogant throughout time who made claims against Christ? Dead. But he is now. He is resurrected. And seated permanently on the throne of glory. He cannot be mutinied. He cannot lose. All flesh will rally against him and crash likes waves at the feet of his throne; destroying themselves; destroyed by the Messiah of God. Beloved, this is King Jesus. This is your Husband. He is victorious. And since He has won, and you are his wife by faith, you too shall overcome your sin and flesh and this world. Listen to how our brother Martin Luther puts it in his memorable hymn:
1 A mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing;
our helper he, amid the flood
of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
does seek to work us woe;
his craft and power are great,
and armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.
2 Did we in our own strength confide,
our striving would be losing,
were not the right Man on our side,
the Man of God's own choosing.
You ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is he;
Lord Sabaoth his name,
from age to age the same;
and he must win the battle.
3 And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God has willed
his truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim,
we tremble not for him;
his rage we can endure,
for lo! his doom is sure;
one little word shall fell him.
4 That Word above all earthly powers
no thanks to them abideth;
the Spirit and the gifts are ours
through him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
this mortal life also;
the body they may kill:
God's truth abideth still;
his kingdom is forever!
In Christ, and with you all, (Mobile, AL)
Pastor Josh