Four Important Things That The Ascension Brings To Believers Series

FOUR IMPORTANT THINGS THAT THE ASCENSION BRINGS TO BELIEVERS

Written by Senior Pastor Ndayiragije Misigaro Joel. May 18, 2023

They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” Acts 1:10-11

INTRODUCTION

What is the ascension celebration for?

Christians around the world observe the Ascension Celebration to remember the bodily ascension of Jesus Christ. After his resurrection, Jesus is said to have spent 40 days with his disciples before ascending into heaven and promising to return.

During the Ascension Celebration, Christians all over the world commemorate Jesus Christ's ascension into heaven following his resurrection. It's a symbol of his exaltation to sit at the right hand of God and a reminder of the promise that he will return in the same way he left.

The fact that God most likely dispatched the two men in white is further reassurance to Christians that Jesus' departure was not the end of his story. They prompted the followers of Jesus to remember that he would come again. Does this reaffirm for us the importance of waiting for Jesus to come again? to our trust and confidence in God's salvation plan? As we anticipate his return, we are obligated to put our faith into action by telling others about Jesus so that they, too, can have eternal life in his presence.

The ascension of Jesus into heaven left his followers in awe. Even though he was physically absent, they were reminded that his word to return was unwavering. After witnessing Jesus' ascension into heaven, the disciples were filled with awe and wonder. The men in white (angels) gave them hope and reassurance by telling them that Jesus would return.

1. FINISHED WORK

The disciples returned to Jerusalem, where they waited for the Holy Spirit to come. This event would mark the beginning of their mission to spread the gospel throughout the world.

"After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven, where he sat at the right hand of God." Mark 16:19

with the finished work of Jesus that culminates in the end of Satan's dominion over believers, which is also very pertinent in showing Jesus' redemption work being total and complete.

This event also signifies the fulfillment of prophecy and the establishment of Jesus as the ultimate authority and ruler over all things. It is a powerful reminder of believers’ hope and victory in Christ, as it demonstrates his triumph over sin and death. Additionally, the resurrection serves as a cornerstone of the Christian faith, providing assurance of eternal life for those who trust in Jesus.

2. A PLACE PREPARED FOR BELIEVERS

"My father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you" John 14:2

These words from Jesus comfort those who believe in him because they know he has prepared a place for them in heaven. It is a promise of eternal life as well as a reminder to live every day with faith and hope.

These two aspects of Jesus' message give believers hope and assurance by demonstrating his power and love for them. The promise of a prepared place in heaven for believers emphasizes the eternal nature of their relationship with God.

Heaven is a vast place with possibilities beyond human comprehension. This demonstrates that Jesus is preparing a place in heaven for believers, indicating his promise of eternal life to those who believe in him. This promise gives believers hope and comfort in knowing that they have a place in the afterlife prepared for them.

Heaven should not be one of the things that one misses because it would be a tragedy for all eternity.

3. IT ALLOWS US TO SEE AND HEAR THE HOLY SPIRIT.

The Holy Spirit is guiding us toward living a life that is pleasing to God. The promise of eternal life also motivates believers to share the good news of salvation with others so that they too may have the opportunity to receive this promise and experience the joy and peace that come with it.

"Therefore 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." Acts 2:33

On the day of Pentecost, ten days after His ascension into heaven, the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in tongues, thus fulfilling this promise of the Holy Ghost. In doing so, it launched the Christian church and gave its members the authority to preach the gospel to the ends of the known world.