Jesus Christ, Ascension of
The ascension of Jesus Christ is His bodily return to heaven after His resurrection. It marks the exaltation of the risen Lord and His ongoing reign at the Father’s right hand.
At a Glance
The ascension of Jesus Christ is His bodily return to heaven after His resurrection. It marks the exaltation of the risen Lord and His ongoing reign at the Father’s right hand.
Description
The ascension of Jesus Christ is the historical and theological event in which the risen, incarnate Son of God was taken up into heaven after His resurrection and appearances to His disciples. The New Testament presents this not as a mere symbol but as Christ’s bodily exaltation into the Father’s presence, where He is seated at God’s right hand, reigns as Lord, intercedes for His people, and continues His saving ministry. The ascension completes a major stage of Christ’s earthly work without implying any loss of His true humanity, since the same risen Jesus who was crucified and raised is the one who ascended. It is also closely connected with His present heavenly rule, the sending of the Holy Spirit, and the church’s hope of His visible return.