The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the foundation truth of the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:13-19).

For that reason, occasionally the “resurrection” narrative has overshadowed the “ascension” record.

 But the ascension event is of equal significance, and careful attention should be given to it.

The Abiding Significance

There are several significant doctrinal points connected with the ascension of Christ. Let us consider some of these.

The ascension of the Savior is an integral part of the proposition that Christ is the “Lord,” who has the right to exercise “all authority” (Matthew 28:18; Ephesians 1:20-23). On Pentecost, after arguing for the resurrection and ascension, Peter contended:

 “Let all the house of Israel therefore knows assuredly, that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified” (Acts 2:36).

Especially note the “therefore” connective.

The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost was implemented by the ascended Christ (Matthew 3:11; Acts 1:5; 2:33).

This supernatural event authenticated the fact that the circumstances of that day, resulting in the establishment of the church of Christ, were divinely orchestrated.

The Christian regime is from God, not man.

The ascended Christ empowered certain early disciples with miraculous gifts, by which the Mind of God was revealed to humanity and subsequently preserved in a body of sacred literature (see Ephesians 4:10ff).

 The present availability of this ancient record allows the modern student to “put to the test” the credibility of the primitive documents, find them to be trustworthy, and happily anchor his hope of heaven therein.

The ascension of Christ into heaven clearly reveals that, contrary to Jewish expectations (and even that of the misguided disciples),

 the Lord’s mission to this planet was not to overthrow Rome, and establish an earthly, political administration reminiscent of David’s (cf. John 6:15; 18:36; Acts 1:6). In the words of a poet:

They were looking for a king,

To slay their foes,

And lift them high.

Thou camest a little baby thing,

That made a woman cry.

Modern millennialists would do well to learn this important truth.

The ascension of Christ demonstrated the manner of Christ’s final return.

The disciples “beheld” Jesus vanishing into the clouds (Acts 1:11b).

The verb theaomai is employed 24 times in the New Testament, and never is it used in a figurative sense. They literally saw Christ ascend.

Additionally, Luke emphasizes that “in like manner,” i.e., in a visible fashion, the Lord will return.