THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST AND THE ENTHRONEMENT OF THE BELIEVER

The resurrection of Jesus was glorious, but it wasn't the final chapter. It was a gateway into something even higher. After appearing to His disciples and demonstrating beyond all doubt that He had conquered death, Jesus ascended into heaven, not as someone retreating from the earth, but as a conquering King entering His throne room.

Acts 1:9, "And when he had spoken these things while they beheld he was taken up and a cloud received him out of their sight."

Here's why the ascension matters so deeply in the full story of what happened at the cross: redemption doesn't stop at victory over the grave. It continues with the establishment of authority in heavenly places. Jesus didn't merely rise from the dead. He ascended. He didn't merely conquer, He was enthroned.

Ephesians 1:20-21, "Which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places far above all principality and power and might and dominion and every name that is named."

Think about that for a moment. Christ is seated at the right hand of God, the ultimate place of power, authority, and rulership. There is no higher seat in all of existence.

But here is the breathtaking mystery of redemption: you are not a spectator watching from a distance. You have been included in this enthronement.

Ephesians 2:6, "And hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus."

Friend, this might be one of the most staggering truths in all of Scripture. You are not climbing toward a place of authority, hoping to arrive there someday. You have already been positioned there in Christ. The ascension of Jesus establishes your spiritual address. Right now, you are seated in heavenly places, and that reality should reshape the way you think about everything.

Colossians 3:1-2, "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."

What Paul is describing here is a complete shift in perspective, learning to see your life from the vantage point of where you are spiritually seated, not from the ground level of your circumstances. You are not living beneath your problems, looking up at them in dread. You are positioned above them.

The ascension also settles the question of spiritual authority over the forces of darkness. Jesus was seated far above every principality and power. Every demonic force operates beneath His feet. And because you are in Him, those forces are beneath you too.

Luke 10:19, "Behold I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy and nothing shall by any means hurt you."

These aren't just metaphors. This is a declaration of dominion, the lived reality of your position in Christ. So let me ask you honestly: are you still living as though the enemy has the upper hand? Are you still reacting to spiritual opposition from a posture of fear? Beloved, you have a seat of authority. It's time to govern from it.

Consider, too, what the ascension reveals about rest. Jesus is seated. Not standing. Not straining. Not locked in combat. He is sitting down.

Hebrews 10:12, "But this man after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever sat down on the right hand of God."

That posture of sitting speaks volumes. It declares that the work is finished. There is nothing left to accomplish. The price has been fully paid, the victory fully won. And remarkably, this same posture belongs to you. You are seated with Christ, which means you operate from a place of rest, not laziness or passivity, but deep confidence. You aren't striving to achieve victory; you are enforcing a victory already secured. You aren't working to earn God's acceptance; you are living from acceptance already given.

Hebrews 4:3, "For we which have believed do enter into rest."

This rest comes through faith, through trusting completely in what Christ has already accomplished.

The ascension also opens a window into the ongoing ministry of Jesus. Right now, at this very moment, He is seated at the right hand of God interceding for you.

Romans 8:34, "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."

You are never without an advocate. There is a continuous heavenly intercession happening on your behalf, day and night. Jesus represents you before the Father as your mediator, your advocate, your faithful representative.

Hebrews 7:25, "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."

What confidence this should give you! Your position is secure. Your access to the Father is maintained, not by your own faithfulness, but by His.

And yet, with this glorious position comes a sacred responsibility. You are seated in heavenly places, yes, but you are active on the earth. You are positioned above, but you carry out your mission below. Your calling is to bring heavenly realities crashing into earthly situations, to manifest the Kingdom of God wherever you go.

Matthew 6:10, "Thy kingdom come thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven."

That is your assignment: to enforce heaven's reality on earth, to establish the will of God in your family, your workplace, your community, every sphere of influence He has entrusted to you.

The full story of the cross reveals something stunning about your identity. You are not ordinary. You are not limited. You are not powerless. You are enthroned in Christ. Your words carry authority. Your actions carry Kingdom influence. Your very presence carries the weight of heaven's power.

Begin to live with that awareness. Think from that position. Speak from that authority. Don't see yourself as barely surviving, see yourself as reigning in life.

Romans 5:17, "They which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one Jesus Christ."

This is who you are. This is where you are seated. This is what the cross, the resurrection, and the ascension have secured for you.

Now walk in it.