Young People's Group

“Received up in Glory”

by Mitchell Tan
October 21, 2016

DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS

During the last few weeks, we have been piecing together a special portrait of Christ. He is the mystery of godliness. With absolute certainty, we can see the Lord Jesus as the embodiment of what godliness is. He came to be with us in the flesh and was justified in the Spirit. He was specially seen and ministered to by angels. He was boldly preached among the Gentiles and wonderfully believed on in the world. The last aspect of the mystery of godliness is about the Lord’s ascension.

“Received up in glory.”
1 Timothy 3:16

Another wonder that we want to dwell on about the Lord Jesus is how he ascended to heaven.
He was specially taken up to glory.

THE REALITY OF THE LORD’S ASCENSION

“Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.”
Acts 1:9

It is a fact that the Lord Jesus was brought up to heaven 40 days after His resurrection. His disciples were His best eyewitnesses. They saw it happen with their very own eyes. After He had blessed His disciples (Luke 24:51), the Lord Jesus ascended in a cloud. The cloud brought Him up till He was out of sight. What a sight this must have been! Indeed, the Lord is alive and real in heaven. He is now at the right hand of the throne of God. This truth is indeed amazing.

RESPONSES TO THE LORD’S ACENSION

1. WRONG RESPONSE – LOST IN THE WONDER OF IT ALL

“Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven?”
Acts 1:11

The disciples initially had a wrong response to the ascension of the Lord Jesus. They just stared steadfastly into heaven, lost in the wonder of it all. Two angels appeared and they had to rebuke them.

2. RIGHT RESPONSES

A. WORSHIPPING THE LORD WITH GREAT JOY

“And they worshipped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.”
Luke 24:52-53

The disciples of Jesus found great joy in the Lord. After spending 40 days with the Lord Jesus, they had found a new sense of love and faith in Him. Their response was to worship Him and to praise Him continually. Let’s also respond in faith by continuing in worshipping the Lord, the mystery of Godliness, with great joy.

B. HOPE IN THE LORD’S SECOND COMING

“This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”
Acts 1:11

The angels assured the disciples that the Lord Jesus would come again. That same Jesus who was taken up to heaven will come in the same manner. Let’s also be assured and exercise hope in His second coming.

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