The WESTMINSTER LARGER Catechism

WLC 53. How was Christ exalted in His ascension?

A. 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,1 and giving them commission to preach the gospel to all nations,2 forty days after His resurrection, He, in our nature, and as our head,3 triumphing over enemies,4 visibly went up into the highest heavens, there to receive gifts for men,5 to raise up our affections thither,6 and to prepare a place for us,7 where Himself is, and shall continue till His second coming at the end of the world.8

Proofs

1Acts 1:2–3; 2Mt 28:19–20; 3Heb 6:20; 4Eph 4:8; 5Acts 1:9–11; Eph 4:10; Ps 68:18; 6Col 3:1–2; 7Jn 14:3; 8Acts 3:21

Comments

Ascension is the Lord’s second step in His exaltation. Seven things may be said in regard to His ascension.

Firstly, as regards to the timing of His ascension, the Scripture teaches us that it occurred forty days after His resurrection. During these forty days, the Lord appeared to the disciples on numerous occasions, speaking to them about the kingdom of God (Acts 1:2-3) and charging them to preach the gospel to all nations (Mt 28:19-20).

Secondly, as regards to the nature of His ascension, we know that He ascended in our nature and as our covenant head. The writer of Hebrews insists that: (1) Christ took on human nature in order that He might be our great high priest (2:17); (2) He ascended to heaven as our high priest (6:20); and (3) He has "an unchangeable priesthood" for our sakes as He continues forever in our nature in heaven (7:24).

Thirdly, as regards to His victory, the Lord in His ascension triumphs over enemies. Our catechism has Ephesians 4:8 as proof for this proposition: "When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive…". The leading of captivity captive speaks metaphorically of how those who were hitherto subjects of Satan and enemies of God are now ‘captured’ and become willing slaves of God. But along with the metaphor of war, the captivity of captive involves victory. Christ triumphed over His enemies who under the leadership of Satan, hated Him, and crucified Him, in that, despite all their efforts He ascended into heaven to be crowned King of kings and Lord of lords.

Fourthly, in terms of appearance, the Scripture teaches us that He ascended visibly, for we are told that the disciples beheld as He ascended (Acts 1:9-10). The fact that He ascended visibly is important, for the angels, which spoke to the disciples after the Lord went out of sight 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" (Acts 1:9-11).

The Jehovah’s Witness’ teaching that Christ returned in the spirit and invisibly in 1874, 1914 or 1918, simply does not square with Scripture.

Fifthly, in terms of benefits, we are told that in ascending to heaven, (1) He gave gifts to men (Ps 68:18, Eph 4:8). This refers to the giving of the gifts of the Holy Spirit "for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ" (Eph 4:10-12); and (2) He "raise up our affections thither." In this regard, the apostle Paul exhorts:

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 (Col 3:1-2).

Sixthly, in terms of purpose, one of the purposes which the Lord gave His disciples to comfort them just before He went to the cross was that He was going to prepare a place for us. He says:

"In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also" (Jn 14:2-3).

Finally, in terms of duration, we know from the Scripture that Christ is ascended and seated at the right hand of the throne of God, and He will be there until the end of the world or "the times of restitution of all things" (Acts 3:21) when He shall come as King and Judge over all. W