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The Ascension Of Christ

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• 40 days after his resurrection Jesus ascended back into heaven

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Acts 1:9

• And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

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• The ascension was another important part of God’s plan of salvation

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1 Tim. 3:16

• And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

6I. At the ascension Christ received his kingdom

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Daniel 7:13-14

• I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him…

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• And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him…

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• his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

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Acts 2:30-33

• Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne…

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• He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore …

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• being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

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Mt. 16:18-19

• And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven…

14II. Christ ascended in order to make atonement

• Atonement --- to make atonement for man is to make satisfaction for man’s offenses against God

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Heb. 9:24

• For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:

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Heb. 9:28

• So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many

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Is. 53:4-6

• Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities…

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• the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

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Is. 53:10

• Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin

20Heb. 9:12 (NKJV) – This verse sums up the idea of atonement

• Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.

21III. Jesus ascended so he could send the Holy Spirit

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Jn. 16:5-7

• But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart…

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• Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

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• The Holy Spirit (the Comforter or Helper) guided the apostles into “all truth” (Jn. 16:13)

• “That truth is recorded for us on the pages of the N.T.”

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• There will be no further revelation for the apostles received “all truth”

26IV. Jesus ascended to prepare a place for us

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Jn. 14:2-3

• In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

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• In order to have that home in heaven, we must follow the “way” – and Christ is the “way”

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Jn. 14:4-6

• And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?...

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• Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

31V. The ascension of Christ will be followed by his return

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Acts 1:9-11

• And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel…

• .

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• Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven

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Jn. 14:3

• And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.