He Ascended Into Heaven
…. We come now to the last couple of statements about Jesus in the Creeds—statements that are often overlooked as ancillary add-ons to the central points about his death and resurrection. It’s important for us to remember, however, that Jesus’ mission has a past, present, and future dimension bound up in his titles “Son of God” and “Son of Man.”
Daniel 7 is a text that lies at the heart of the meaning of Jesus’ ascension and return. In Daniel’s vision, one like a “Son of Man” (a human being) ascends to the right hand of God and is presented before him. “To him was given dominion and glory and kingship, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not pass away, and his kingship is one that will never be destroyed” (Daniel 7:13-14). It’s no coincidence, then, that Jesus often referred to himself as the “Son of Man” while knowing also that he is the “Son of God.” His mission is to be the King, and his kingship is secured by his faithfulness unto death on a cross. Continue Reading…..