[254]. A Message From A Poem – The Ascension Of Christ

[254]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST

This poem ends with the ascension of Christ in this passage – {{Acts 1:9-11 After He had said these things, HE WAS LIFTED UP while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight, and as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was departing, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them, and 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.”}}

The poem traces His birth, through death and resurrection, and then to ascension.

Up until the ascension of Jesus Christ, all the righteous souls were together in Paradise to where Jesus went (hell/grave/death was in two compartments). The converted thief on the cross went to Paradise with the Lord. The beggar in the true story went to Paradise, to Abraham’s bosom. BUT when the Lord ascended from Olivet He took all these souls to heaven.

{{Ephesians 4:8 Therefore it says, “When He ascended on high, He led captive a host of captives, and He gave gifts to men.”}} and that is quoted from {{Psalm 68:18 “You have ascended on high. You have led captive Your captives. You have received gifts among men, even among the rebellious also, that the LORD God may dwell there.”}} Before the ascension not one human being was in heaven. They were not fit for heaven because even the Old Testament saints have to be saved through Christ’s sacrifice. They waited for that time when the heavenly Lamb would become sin for them so they too would share the righteousness of Christ.

Jesus ascended, but soon will open heaven’s door to come in the air for His own saints before the great and terrible day of God’s wrath bursts on earth. {{Revelation 4:1 After these things I looked, and behold, A DOOR STANDING OPEN IN HEAVEN, and the first voice which I had heard like the sound of a trumpet speaking with me said, “COME UP HERE, and I will show you what must take place after these things.”}}

Then after 7 years Jesus returns and descends from heaven to Olivet. {{Zechariah 14:3-4 “Then the LORD will go forth and fight against those nations, as when He fights on a day of battle. And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which is in front of Jerusalem on the east; and the Mount of Olives will be split in its middle from east to west by a very large valley, so that half of the mountain will move toward the north and the other half toward the south.”}}. That will be His descent back to Olivet at The Second Coming.

================================================================

THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST

Heaven watched as one young virgin, in a cattle stall,

Brought forth the blesséd Babe of God who gave Himself for all.

Jesus Christ, the sinner’s Lamb, came in God’s holy plan;

To earth descended for a time, the sinless Son of Man.

=============================

Grace and mercy, lovely Saviour, prince of Peace His Name,

Descended as our Substitute; to die for sin He came.

Healed the sick; taught His disciples; on the cross He died,

But ended sin’s dread dominance when He was crucified.

=============================

From the dark grave resurrected, evermore to live -

Through forty days He ministered, instructions had to give.

Soon the time of teaching ended, and on Olivet,

Ascended high the Son of God, from where they all had met.

=============================

Lifted up from earth and taken from their presence there,

The Saviour now is seated where He serves us in His care.

At the right hand of the Father, there He intercedes;

Ascended that He might direct His children’s loving deeds.

=============================

Now on high, this One ascended, firstly knew descent.

Into the lower parts of earth; into the grave He went.

Into Paradise descended; raised in victory;

Above the heavens ascended, with glory, joyfully.

=============================

He led captive all the captives waiting years for this.

And in ascension, took them all to their eternal bliss.

Gifts He gave to redeemed Christians that the Church would thrive,

Equipping saints for service in His Church which is alive.

=============================

Jesus Christ, now Lord ascended, is the Great High Priest,

The One in triumph raised on high, the One on whom we feast.

He awaits the time declared when He’ll descend once more,

When to Him, at the trumpet call, then all His saints will soar.

=============================

12 October 1999 R E Ferguson 13-14-13-14