In the ascension, the New Creation was perfected, and a new world order was established. One writer said that the gospel is “The King Jesus Gospel,” and N.T. Wright wrote a book titled “How God Became King: The Forgotten Story of the Gospels.” The ascension is the means by which Jesus took the throne where He rules today. This is such a significant aspect of the finished work of Jesus, that not only changes the way we view the world, but also helps to define our assignment here on earth. In Matthew 28 Jesus says that ALL authority in Heaven and on earth had been given to Him. Revelation 1:17 – 18 says “And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as a dead man, and He laid His right hand upon me, saying, do not be afraid; I am the 1st and the last, and the living One; and I was dead and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and Hades.” In the death and resurrection of Jesus, evil was defeated, and in the ascension, Jesus has taken His place as King of a whole new age, and as King, He has all authority, even over death and Hades. The message of Jesus was that the Kingdom of Heaven was at hand, and therefore people should change the way they think about everything and believe the good news about the Kingdom. The message for us as the followers of Christ is that the Kingdom of Heaven has arrived, not just at hand, and we are called in His name and in union with the ascended enthroned Christ to implement His authority and Kingdom wherever we see the “trespasser” at work. You and I are now the body of Christ on the earth, and the Christ who lives in us is a Christ who is enthroned in Heaven, and because of our union with Him, we are mystically in union with His ascension and enthronement. Therefore everywhere we go, we bring the throne room of Heaven with us, are called to release the reality of the reign of Heaven into every life and every situation we encounter.
The Kingdom of Heaven is an unseen realm of reality that has invaded the natural realm of time and space, and as heavenly people still housed in earth suits, may we be the answer to the prayers of millions; “on earth as it is in heaven.”