The Exaltation of Christ in His Ascension: A Glorious Triumph

In our previous study, we marveled at the miracle of Christ’s resurrection, a display of divine power that shattered the chains of death and secured the hope of eternal life for all who trust in Him (Read Here). The resurrection was not the end of Christ’s work but the beginning of His exalted state, a journey that continued with His glorious ascension into heaven. Today, we turn our hearts to the 53rd question of the Westminster Larger Catechism, which asks, “How was Christ exalted in his ascension?” The answer provides a rich picture of truth to deepen our worship and hope:

“Christ was exalted in his ascension, in that having after his resurrection often appeared unto and conversed with his apostles, speaking to them of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God, and giving them commission to preach the gospel to all nations, forty days after his resurrection, he, in our nature and as our head, triumphing over enemies, visibly went up into the highest heavens, there to receive gifts for men, to raise up our affections thither, and to prepare a place for us, where himself is and shall continue till his second coming at the end of the world.”

This profound statement invites us to explore the multifaceted glory of Christ’s ascension, an event that not only confirms His victory but also shapes the life and hope of His people. Let us unpack this truth, anchoring our thoughts in Scripture, and see how Christ’s ascension exalts Him and lifts our hearts heavenward.

The Foundation of the Ascension: Christ’s Post-Resurrection Ministry

The catechism begins by grounding Christ’s ascension in the forty days following His resurrection, during which He “often appeared unto and conversed with his apostles, speaking to them of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:2-3). These forty days were not a mere epilogue to the resurrection but a purposeful season of instruction and preparation. The risen Christ, in His glorified body, walked among His disciples, teaching them about the kingdom of God. This was no abstract theology lesson; it was the risen King equipping His followers to carry His message to the ends of the earth.

Imagine the awe of the apostles as they beheld their Lord, once crucified, now alive and speaking with divine authority. These appearances—whether to Mary Magdalene, the disciples on the road to Emmaus, or the gathered apostles—confirmed the reality of His resurrection and prepared them for their mission. The resurrection, as we explored in our previous post, was the divine stamp of victory over sin and death. The ascension builds on this triumph, transitioning Christ from His earthly ministry to His heavenly reign. During these forty days, He was not only comforting His disciples but also commissioning them, as we see in Matthew 28:19-20: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” This Great Commission is the bridge between Christ’s earthly work and His ascended glory, entrusting His church with the task of proclaiming His kingdom.

The Ascension: A Visible Triumph

The catechism describes the ascension itself as a moment of exultant glory: “forty days after his resurrection, he, in our nature and as our head, triumphing over enemies, visibly went up into the highest heavens.” Acts 1:9-11 vividly captures this scene: “And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.” The ascension was not a quiet departure but a visible, triumphant ascent, witnessed by His disciples. Christ, in His human nature—the same nature that bore our sins on the cross—ascended as the victorious King, “triumphing over enemies.” As Ephesians 4:8, echoing Psalm 68:18, declares, “When he ascended on high, he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” The imagery here is of a conquering king returning from battle, leading a procession of defeated foes and distributing the spoils of victory.

This triumph is no small thing. In our previous study, we saw how Christ’s resurrection crushed the power of death and Satan. The ascension seals this victory, displaying Christ’s dominion over all spiritual forces of evil. As our head, He represents us, His people, in His exaltation. Hebrews 6:20 calls Him our “forerunner,” who has entered the heavenly sanctuary on our behalf. His ascension in our nature assures us that humanity—redeemed and glorified—has a place in the presence of God. What a comfort to know that our Savior, who knows our weaknesses, now reigns as our mediator in heaven!

The Purpose of the Ascension: Gifts, Affections, and a Prepared Place

The catechism highlights three purposes of Christ’s ascension: “to receive gifts for men, to raise up our affections thither, and to prepare a place for us.” Each of these purposes draws us closer to our Savior and fuels our hope.

First, Christ ascended “to receive gifts for men.” Ephesians 4:10 explains that He who descended to the depths of the earth “also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.” From His exalted throne, Christ pours out His Spirit and the gifts that equip His church for ministry. The apostles, empowered by the Spirit at Pentecost, were the firstfruits of these gifts, but the blessing continues. Every believer, endowed with spiritual gifts, is a beneficiary of Christ’s ascended generosity. This reminds us that the church’s mission—proclaiming the gospel to all nations—rests on the power of our ascended Lord.

Second, Christ’s ascension “raises up our affections thither.” Colossians 3:1-2 exhorts us, “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” The ascension reorients our hearts. In a world that pulls our affections toward fleeting pleasures and temporary gains, Christ’s exalted presence in heaven calls us to fix our eyes on eternal realities. Just as the resurrection gives us hope for new life, the ascension directs that hope upward, reminding us that our true home is with Christ.

Third, Christ ascended “to prepare a place for us.” In John 14:3, Jesus promises, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” This is the heartbeat of our hope. The ascension is not Christ’s abandonment of His people but His purposeful departure to secure our eternal dwelling. Every believer can rest in the assurance that our Savior is actively preparing a place for us in the Father’s house. This promise ties directly to the resurrection’s victory: because Christ lives, we will live with Him forever.

The Duration of the Ascension: Until the Second Coming

The catechism concludes by noting that Christ “himself is and shall continue till his second coming at the end of the world.” Acts 3:21 affirms that heaven must “receive him until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.” Christ’s ascension is not a temporary state but the inauguration of His eternal reign. He is seated at the right hand of God, interceding for us, ruling over all things, and awaiting the day when He will return in glory.

This truth anchors our faith in a world of uncertainty. Just as the angels assured the disciples in Acts 1:11, “This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven,” we live in eager expectation of His return. The ascension is not the end of Christ’s story but the prelude to His triumphant second coming, when He will fully establish His kingdom and gather His people to Himself.

Living in Light of the Ascension

What does Christ’s ascension mean for us today? It calls us to worship, missions, and hope. We worship a Savior who is not only risen but reigning, exalted above all powers and authorities. His victory over sin, death, and Satan is complete, and we are invited to rest in His finished work. We are also called to missions, carrying out the Great Commission with the confidence that our ascended Lord equips us with His Spirit and gifts. Finally, we live in hope, setting our hearts on the things above and trusting that Christ is preparing a place for us.

As we reflected in our previous post, the resurrection is the foundation of our faith, proving Christ’s power over death and securing our justification. The ascension builds on this, exalting Christ as our King and Priest, who intercedes for us and guarantees our eternal inheritance. Let us, then, lift our eyes to the heavens, where our Savior reigns, and live each day in the light of His glorious ascension, eagerly awaiting His return.

Soli Deo Gloria