Introduction:
In this series we spent the last four posts detailing what Jesus is doing as the exalted Prophet, Priest, and King in His "session" or activity at the right hand of God the Father. The purpose of today's post is two-fold: to recap all that I've written in the last four posts and to reference those posts as an exposition of the Nicene Creed's confession "and sits at the right hand of the Father".
Reviewing the meaning of Christ's ascension
The ascension of Jesus Christ was not merely His defying gravity and going up into heaven. The late theologian R.C. Sproul explains in an article he wrote years ago in Ligonier Ministry's "Table Talk Magazine" here: The Ascension by R.C. Sproul. An excerpt from Dr. Sproul's article crystalizes the significance of Jesus' ascension and seating at the Father's right hand:
"When Jesus speaks of ascension, He’s not speaking of merely “going up.” He is speaking of something in technical terms. He is thinking in terms of the Psalms of Ascent that celebrated the anointing of a king (Pss. 120–134). When Jesus says no one ascends into heaven, it is true that no one ascends or goes to heaven in the same manner or for the same purpose that He went there. He was lifted up on clouds of glory in order to go to His Father for the purpose of His coronation as our King—as the King of kings and the Lord of lords."
As to how Jesus' ascension and session are relevant to our current study of the Nicene Creed, readers may review my post here: Growing Christian Resources: Post #22 1700 Years of the Nicene Creed - Part One: "and ascended into heaven"
The Apostle Peter is recorded preaching on the day of Pentecost these words in Acts 2:34-36 that summarize Christ's ascension:
"This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses. 33 Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear. 34 For it was not David who ascended into heaven, but he himself says: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, 35 Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet. 36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified.”
What we understand from Scripture about Jesus' current heavenly ministry. Grasping the Nicene Creed's phrase: "and sits at the right hand of the Father".
In the last several posts, I wrote more detailed expositions of what exactly the Lord Jesus is doing in His current heavenly session and ministry on behalf of His church. I'll provide headings and links to each of the posts that unpack all He is doing as the Christian's Heavenly Prophet, High Priest, and Exalted King.
1. Jesus Christ the Heavenly Prophet.
2. Jesus Christ the Heavenly High Priest
3. Jesus Christ the exalted King
Closing thoughts for today:
This brings to a close our study of Jesus' ascension and session at the Father's right hand. In the next post we will begin to look at what the Nicene Creed means when it confesses:
"and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end."
