Weekly Devotional 25th of April 2025
by Bruce Billington
Acts 1:9-11 – “And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. 11 They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”
Without the ascension, Christ’s work remains incomplete. If the ascension had not occurred, Jesus’ royal authority would not have been confirmed; Christ would not rule in heaven; the church would not exist; no human being would ever rule with God, and Christ would not have been established as Lord. Because the ascension occurred, Jesus’ royal authority was confirmed.
Here is a great comment from Patrick Schreiner,
At His ascension, He appeared before the Ancient of Days and was given all dominion. He was set on the holy hill and declared to be God’s Son. His true reign began at his ascent. Now He rules in a different sense over the powers of darkness because He has been installed to the place they desired. He also became the ruler of the world and church because He sits in the throne room of God as the one exalted far above every king this world has ever seen.
His true reign began with his ascent. When He appeared before the Ancient of Days, He was granted all dominion. He was placed on the holy hill and declared to be God’s Son. He received the throne at the right hand of the Holy Father and a new name to which every knee will bow. He rules as the God-Man, the Davidic king, the Son of Man, and the Son of God.
Hebrews 1:3 – “And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.”
The fact that He sat down does not mean His work on earth is complete. In His sitting, He continues to serve in the sanctuary and true tabernacle where He was appointed as King and Lord of all (Hebrews 8).
As a result, we, His disciples, are empowered by the coming of the Holy Spirit to continue the work that Christ began when He came to earth. All the rules of the game have changed, and those in Christ are citizens of a whole new order known as the Kingdom of God.
This risen Christ now prepares us (the Church) to demonstrate this Kingdom to the rulers and authorities in heavenly places (Ephesians 3:10). This process will take time, but the day will come when all His enemies will be placed under His feet. This event and the readiness of His bride coincide, and at this point, the Lord will return, bringing the completed work of the Kingdom with Him.
John describes this by saying, “And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband” (Revelation 21:2).
Jesus will return just as He left.
Revelation 1:7 – “Behold, He is coming in the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen.”
May God bless you.
Bruce Billington