Between the miracle of propitiation (satisfaction of God's wrath) by Jesus on the cross and the moment the risen Jesus was physically lifted up to heaven, a lot happens that defies human expectations and understanding. But the events are just the sort of thing we claim we want: God intervening with all of his glory and might into the affairs of man, for the good of mankind.
Jesus's resurrection and his empty tomb confirm the miracle of his atonement - his rising from the dead demonstrates that his work in taking on our sins was completed. It gives us assurance. However, God is holy. Nullifying the sins of Christians does not make those Christians able to approach a holy God. Our accounts may no longer be negative but a zero balance is not sufficient to have eternal life in the presence of God. Christ, our Savior, saves us twofold by covering our sins with his death through faith and by uniting us through the same faith in his resurrected life which he and we live on the other side of a vanquished and toothless death. His bodily assumption into heaven is a glorious continuation of this truth, and a preview of our own resurrections to come. And it is another confirmation: that of his role now as our advocate at the right hand of God the Father. When our hearts stray from the lamb of God who humbly laid down his life for our sake, our affections will surely grow for man-made gods and goddesses, cherubs, spirits, and mystics. We are made to be intimate with our Lord and our Savior. His love and affection is for us - what more proof do we need? And our love and affection are rightfully for him alone, forsaking sparkling goddesses that would grant our every desire. Jesus shall not remain our advocate forever. He is returning as king to claim his own and to judge the world. Jesus said in Matthew 24: For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man...At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. Comments are closed.
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