The Ascension and Session of Christ
Jesus Christ, in His resurrection body, ascended from earth to heaven and now sits at the right hand of the Father. His session declares victory in the angelic conflict, guarantees the acceptance of all believers in heaven, and establishes His superiority over all angels. He now ministers as our great High Priest.
The Ascension — From Earth to Heaven
John 20:17 — "Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God."
Jesus Christ, in His resurrection body, travelled from earth to heaven. This was not a spiritual journey, but a physical ascension — the resurrected Lord, in a glorified body of flesh and bone, departed from earth and entered heaven.
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; 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."
The ascension was visible and literal. He was taken up in a cloud, and the angels promised that He would return in the same manner.
The Gift of the Holy Spirit
With Jesus Christ now in heaven, He has given His Spirit to indwell believers on earth.
John 7:37-39 — "In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)"
The Holy Spirit was not yet given to indwell all believers until Jesus was glorified — that is, until He ascended and was seated at the Father's right hand. His ascension made possible the permanent indwelling of the Spirit.
The Session — Seated at the Right Hand
Upon His arrival in heaven, God the Father commanded Jesus to sit at His right hand.
Psalm 110:1 — "The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool."
Hebrews 1:3, 13 — "Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high... But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?"
The session of Christ — His seated position at the Father's right hand — is the place of highest honor and authority. No angel has ever been invited to sit there. This position declares multiple realities:
Seven Truths Declared by Christ's Session
1. The Acceptability of the First Man in Heaven
Ephesians 1:20 — "Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places."
The session of Christ indicates the acceptability of the first man — Jesus Christ — into heaven. The Father's invitation to sit at His right hand is proof that Christ's sacrifice was accepted and His work completed.
2. The Guarantee of All Believers' Acceptance
Ephesians 2:6 — "And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus."
If the first man, Jesus Christ, is acceptable in heaven, then all who are in Christ are also acceptable. We are positionally seated with Him in heavenly places. His acceptance guarantees ours.
3. Christ's Superiority Over All Angels
Hebrews 2:6-8 — "But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him."
1 Peter 3:22 — "Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him."
The session of Christ declared Him superior to all angels. All authorities and powers are subject to Him.
4. Victory in the Angelic Conflict
Hebrews 1:3-13 — "Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they... But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?"
The session of Christ produced victory in the angelic conflict. His seated position declares that the battle is won, the victory is secure, and the final subjection of Satan and his angels is only a matter of time.
5. The Subjection of His Enemies Under His Feet
Psalm 110:1 — "The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool."
Colossians 2:15 — "And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it."
Revelation 20:1-3 — "And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season."
The session begins the subjection of His enemies "under His feet." This will be fully realized at the Second Advent when Satan is bound and Christ reigns on earth.
6. The Completion of Christ's Glorification
Acts 2:33 — "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."
Philippians 2:9 — "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name."
The session completes the glorification of Christ. He is exalted, given the name above every name, and honored as King of kings and Lord of lords.
7. His Ministry as Our Great High Priest
Hebrews 7:23-25 — "And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."
Hebrews 4:14-16 — "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."
Seated at the right hand of the Father, Jesus now ministers as our great High Priest. He ever lives to make intercession for us. He is touched with the feeling of our infirmities, and we may come boldly to the throne of grace because of Him.
Conclusion
The ascension and session of Christ are not minor doctrines — they are central to our faith and our hope. Christ is in heaven, seated at the Father's right hand, victorious over all enemies, superior to all angels, and interceding for all believers. His position guarantees our acceptance, His victory secures our inheritance, and His priesthood grants us access to the throne of grace.
Hebrews 10:12-13 — "But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool."