Lord’s Day 18
Q49. How does Christ's ascension to heaven benefit us?
First, he pleads our cause in heaven in the presence of his Father. Second, we have our own flesh in heaven—a sure guarantee that Christ our head will take us, his members, to himself in heaven. Third, he sends his Spirit to us on earth as a further guarantee. By the Spirit's power we make the goal of our lives, not earthly things, but the things above where Christ is, sitting at God's right hand.
Scripture Proofs — King James Version
Romans 8:34
“Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.”
1 John 2:1
“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:”
John 14:2
“In my Father's house are many mansions: if not , I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.”
John 17:24
“Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.”
Ephesians 2:4–6
“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised up together, and made sit together in heavenly in Christ Jesus:”
John 14:16
“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;”
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.”
2 Corinthians 1:21–22
“Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.”
2 Corinthians 5:5
“Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.”
Colossians 3:1–4
“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.”
Philippians 3:14, 20
“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:”
Commentary — Zacharias Ursinus (1616)
V. What Are The Fruits Of The Ascension Of Christ?
The fruits, or benefits of Christ's ascension into heaven are chiefly these three:
1. His intercession with the Father in our behalf. This embraces, as we have already remarked, the perpetual force and virtue of the sacrifice of Christ; the divine and human will of Christ which is favorable to us, by which he desires that we may be received of the Father for the sake of his sacrifice; and the consent of the Father, falling in with this will of his Son. and approving of his satisfaction as a sufficient atonement for our sins. In a word, it is the will of the Father and the Son, that the sacrifice of Christ may for ever avail in our behalf. Objection. But intercession was made before the ascension of Christ; yea, even before his advent. Therefore it is not one of the fruits of his ascension.