October 18, 2012
In this world, much is uncertain, but one thing we know for sure: Jesus is the King. Alistair Begg strengthens our confidence by unpacking the significance of the ascension, an often neglected aspect of Christ’s work. Jesus’ ascent into heaven completed the work of His death and resurrection and marked the Father’s acceptance of the Son’s atonement on our behalf. Christ is now physically present in heaven, reigning over all things, interceding on our behalf, and preparing for us to one day join Him.
1In the first book, O aTheophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began bto do and teach, 2until the day when che was taken up, after he dhad given commands ethrough the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3fHe presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
4And while staying1 with them ghe ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5for hJohn baptized with water, hbut you will be baptized iwith2 the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
6So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, jwill you at this time krestore the kingdom to Israel?” 7He said to them, l“It is not for you to know mtimes or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8But you will receive npower owhen the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and pyou will be qmy witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and rSamaria, and sto the end of the earth.” 9And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, the was lifted up, and ua cloud took him out of their sight. 10And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, vtwo wmen stood by them in xwhite robes, 11and said, y“Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, zwill acome in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
Copyright © 2024, Alistair Begg. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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