The Great Doctrines of the Bible Part 14

a) The Certainty of a Resurrection.

1 Cor. 15:22--"As in Adam all die; even so in Christ shall all be made alive." Paul is here discussing a _bodily,_ and not a _spiritual_, resurrection (see under II. 2 d), p. 88). As in Adam all men die physically, so in Christ all men are raised physically. The resurrection of Jesus Christ guarantees the resurrection of all men (see under Resurrection, p. 245).

b) The Certainty of a Judgment Day.

Acts 17:31--"Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given a.s.surance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead." The resurrection of Christ is G.o.d's unfailing testimony to the fact of a coming day of judgment for the world.

The one is as sure as the other.

The Ascension and Exaltation of Jesus Christ.

I. THE MEANING OF THESE TERMS.

When we speak of the _Ascension_ of Christ we refer to that event in the life of our risen Lord in which He departed visibly from His disciples into heaven. This event is recorded in Acts 1:9-11--"This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven,"

etc.

By the _Exaltation_ of Jesus Christ we mean that act of G.o.d by which the risen and ascended Christ is given the place of power at the right hand of G.o.d. Phil. 2:9--"Wherefore G.o.d also hath highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name." Eph.

1:20, 21--"Which he (G.o.d) wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all princ.i.p.ality and power." See also Heb. 1:3.

II. THE SCRIPTURAL DATA FOR THE DOCTRINE.

Foregleams of this truth were granted to the prophets of the Old Testament times, Psa. 110:1; 68:18. They saw Christ in prophetic vision not only as the meek and lowly One, but as the ascended and glorified Lord.

Our Lord Himself, on many occasions, foretold His ascension and exaltation. These events were constantly before His mind's eye: Luke 9:51; John 6:62; 20:17.

The New Testament writers record the event: Mark 16:19; Luke 24:51; John 3:13; Acts 1:9-11; Eph. 4:8-10; Heb. 10:12.

Stephen, in his dying moments, was granted a vision of the exalted Christ. He saw the "Son of Man standing on the right hand of G.o.d"

(Acts 7:55, 36).

The apostles taught and preached these great truths: Peter, Acts 2:33, 34; 5:31; 1 Peter 3:22. Paul: Eph. 4:8-10; Heb. 4:14; 1 Tim.

3:16.

III. THE NECESSITY OF THE ASCENSION AND EXALTATION OF JESUS CHRIST.

The nature of the resurrection body of our Lord necessitated His ascension and exaltation. Such a body could not be subject to ordinary laws; it could not permanently abide here.

Christ's unique personality also required such an exit from the world. Should not the exit of Christ from this world be as unique as His entrance into it? Then, again, consider the sinlessness of His life. If a miraculous exit was granted to men like Elijah and Enoch, who were sinful men, why should we marvel if such was granted to Christ? Indeed it seems perfectly natural, and quite in keeping with His whole life that just such an event as the ascension and exaltation should form a fitting finish to such a wonderful career.

The ascension and exaltation were necessary to complete the redemptive work of Christ. His work was not finished when He arose from the dead. He had not yet presented the blood of the atonement in the presence of the Father; nor had He yet been given His place at the right hand of the Father as the bestower of all spiritual gifts, and especially the gift of the Holy Spirit.

The apostles were thus able to furnish to an unbelieving and inquisitive world a satisfactory account of the disappearance of the body of Christ which had been placed in the tomb, and which they claimed to have seen after the resurrection. "Where is your Christ?" the scoffing world might ask. "We saw Him ascend up into the heaven, and He is now at the Father's right hand," the apostles could reply.

It was further necessary in order that Christ might become an ideal object of wors.h.i.+p for the whole human race. We should not forget that Christ's earthly ministry was a purely local one: He could be but in one place at a time. Those who wors.h.i.+pped at His feet in Jerusalem could not, at the same time, wors.h.i.+p Him in any other place. This was the lesson, doubtless, that the Master desired to teach Mary when she would fain hold on to Him, and when He said, "Touch me not." Mary must wors.h.i.+p now by faith, not by sight.

IV. THE NATURE OF THE ASCENSION AND EXALTATION OF JESUS CHRIST.

1. IT WAS A BODILY AND VISIBLE ASCENSION.

Acts 1:9-11; Luke 24:51. It was the same Christ they had known in life, only glorified, who had tarried with them now for the s.p.a.ce of forty days, who had delivered unto them certain commandments, and whose hands were even then outstretched in blessing that they saw slowly vanis.h.i.+ng from their view up into the heavens. It was a body of flesh and bones, not flesh and blood. So will be our translation (1 Cor. 15:51, 52).

2. HE Pa.s.sED UP THROUGH THE HEAVENS.

Heb. 4:14 (R. V.); Eph. 4:10; Heb. 7:26. Whatever and how many created heavens there may be between the earth and the dwelling place of G.o.d, we may not know, but we are here told that Christ pa.s.sed through them all, and up to the highest heaven, indeed was made higher than the heavens. This means that He overcame all those evil princ.i.p.alities and powers that inhabit these heavenlies (Eph.

6) and who doubtless tried their best to keep Him from pa.s.sing through the heavens to present His finished work before the Father.

Just as the high priest pa.s.sed through the vail into the holy place, so Christ pa.s.sed through the heavens into the presence of G.o.d.

3. HE TOOK HIS PLACE AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE FATHER.

He was exalted to the right hand of G.o.d. Eph. 1:20--"Set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all princ.i.p.ality and power." Col. 3:1--"Christ sitteth on the right hand of G.o.d."

This place was not taken by Christ without conflict with these evil princ.i.p.alities and powers. But "He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it" (Col. 2:15). See also Acts 5:31.

What is meant by "the right hand of G.o.d"? Is it a definite place, or is it simply a figure of speech denoting a place of authority and power? Why can not both things be included? G.o.d has His dwelling place in heaven, and it is not incredible to believe that from the throne there Christ exercises His divine prerogatives. Stephen saw Christ standing at the right hand of G.o.d in heaven.

The "right hand of G.o.d" a.s.suredly indicates the place of the accuser whom Christ casts out (Zec. 3:1; Rev. 12:10); the place of intercession which Christ now occupies (Rom. 8:34); the place of acceptance where the Intercessor now sits (Psa. 110:1); the place of highest power and richest blessing (Gen. 48:13-19); the place of power (Psa. 110:5). All these powers and prerogatives are Christ's by reason of His finished work of redemption.

V. THE PURPOSE OF THE ASCENSION AND EXALTATION OF JESUS CHRIST.

1. HE HAS ENTERED HEAVEN AS A FORERUNNER.

Heb. 6:20--"Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus."

The forerunner is one who enters into a place where the rest are to follow; one who is sent before to make observations; a scout, a spy. The Levitical high priest was not a forerunner; no one could follow him. But where Christ goes His people may go also.

2. HE HAS GONE TO PREPARE A PLACE FOR HIS PEOPLE.

Heb. 9:21-24; John 14:2. He is there making all necessary preparations for the coming of His bride, the Church. In some way it seems that the heavenly sanctuary had been defiled by sin. It was necessary, therefore, that Christ purge it with His blood. What a home that will be if He prepares it!

3. HE IS NOW APPEARING BEFORE G.o.d IN OUR BEHALF.

Heb. 9:24--"To appear in the presence of G.o.d for us." He is there to act as High Priest in our behalf; to present the blood of atonement. "Before the throne my Surety stands." And yet not so much before the throne as on the throne. He is the Kingly Priest.

With authority He asks, and His pet.i.tions are granted.

4. HE HAS TAKEN HIS PLACE AT THE FATHER'S RIGHT HAND THAT HE MAY FILL ALL THINGS, AWAITING THE DAY WHEN HE SHALL HAVE UNIVERSAL DOMINION.

Eph. 4:10. He fills all things with His presence, with His work, with Himself. He is not a local Christ any longer (cf. Jer. 23:24).

Heb. 10:12, 13; Acts 3:20, 21--"He shall send Jesus Christ . . .

. whom the heaven must receive until the times of rest.i.tution of all things." Having won His victory, Christ is now waiting for all the spoils to be gathered. He is expecting, not doubting, but a.s.suredly waiting; already His feet are upon the neck of the enemy.

The Apocalypse pictures Christ entering upon the actual possession of His kingdom.

VI. THE RESULTS OF THE ASCENSION AND EXALTATION OF JESUS CHRIST.

1. IT a.s.sURES US OF A FREE AND CONFIDENT ACCESS INTO THE PRESENCE OF G.o.d.

Heb. 4:14-16 (R. V.)--"Having then a great high priest, who hath pa.s.sed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of G.o.d, let us hold fast our confession. . . . . Let us therefore draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace." Our great High Priest is before the throne to present pet.i.tions, secure pardons for His people, and to communicate blessings in answer to their faith and prayers. We may have a free and fearless confidence in our approach to G.o.d.

2. AN a.s.sURED HOPE OF IMMORTALITY.

2 Cor. 5:1-8 describes the longing of the Christian to be clothed with a body after he has been called upon to lay aside this earthly tabernacle. He has no desire for a bodiless existence. The ascension and exaltation of Christ a.s.sures the believer that as Christ, so he also will take his place in heaven with a body like unto Christ's own glorious body.