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Objective

In this lesson, we’ll see that the resurrection, ascension, and exaltation of Christ are historical events that reveal important doctrinal truths.

Key Verse

Colossians 3:1: If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.

Introduction

The incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension are all historical events. But they are also doctrinal truths. They happened at a specific time and place. But they also have eternal spiritual meaning. This is why the Bible speaks about Christ as “the Lamb who was slain before the foundation of the world.”

Revelation 13:8: All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world.

The key doctrines of the early church can be summed up with four statements:

• Jesus is the Son of God
• He died to save us from our sins
• He rose from the dead
• He is coming again

Each of these doctrines is foundational to our faith. The last two of these statements are answered by the resurrection, ascension, and exaltation of Christ—and that’s why they’re important. In this lesson, we’ll focus on the spiritual meaning of these three great events in Christ’s ministry. But we’ll also look at how we know these things to be true.

2 Peter 1:16: For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

Here are the questions we will answer in this lesson:

• Why is the resurrection important?
• Why is the ascension important?
• Why is the exaltation important?

Why Is the Resurrection Important?

The resurrection is certainly true and foundational to our faith. The death of Christ would have no meaning apart from the resurrection. Without the resurrection, we would have no proof that God accepted Christ’s sacrifice for our sins.

1 Corinthians 15:19: If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.

The Bible says we cannot be saved unless we believe that God raised Christ from the dead. This belief is not optional for Christians—it is essential for salvation.

Romans 10:9: If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

The resurrection is also important for what it reveals. The resurrection reveals that Jesus is the Son of God and the judge of the world. God’s power in raising Christ from the dead proves His divine nature and His authority to judge all mankind.

Romans 1:4: and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.

Acts 17:31: For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.

The resurrection reveals that our sin has been forgiven. It reveals that we do not have to live any longer under the power of sin. Because Christ rose from the dead, we know that His sacrifice was accepted and our debt has been paid in full.

1 Corinthians 15:17: And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.

Romans 6:4-7: We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.

The resurrection reveals that we have eternal life because of His life. Christ’s resurrection is the guarantee and the pattern for our own future resurrection.

John 14:19: Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.

2 Corinthians 4:14: We know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself.

How Do We Know the Resurrection Is True?

Christians declare that the resurrection is true. Jesus rose from the dead in a new body. Why can we be sure that this really happened? We’ll look briefly at four answers.

First, we know it’s true because the tomb was empty.

Luke 24:1-3: On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

Matthew 28:11-15: While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.

Second, we know it’s true because the disciples testified of the resurrection. There were many eyewitnesses.

1 Corinthians 15:3-8: For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

Jesus told His disciples that they would be “witnesses” for Him. What were they witnesses of? We see the answer to this question throughout Acts.

Acts 2:32: God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it.

Acts 3:15: You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this.

Acts 4:33: With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all.

Third, we know it’s true because the disciples were transformed by the resurrection. The disciples went from fear to boldness—to the point that they were willing to die for their faith. People don’t usually die for something they know to be a lie. (Notebook Moment: Think about how the disciples went from fear and hiding to bold proclamation. What does this transformation tell us about the power of the resurrection to change lives?)

Mark 14:27-31: “You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written: ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.” “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.” But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same.

Acts 2:14: Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say.

Acts 4:13: When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

Fourth, we know it’s true because Jesus changes lives today. He lives within us. The same power that raised Christ from the dead is at work in believers today, transforming hearts and giving new life.

Galatians 2:20: I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Ephesians 3:17: so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love.

Why Is the Ascension Important?

Jesus clearly told His disciples that He would be returning to the Father.

John 6:62: Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before!

John 20:17: Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'”

Like the resurrection, the ascension was a historical event.

Mark 16:19: After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.

Acts 1:9: After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

The ascension is also a doctrinal truth. The ascension is closely connected to the resurrection, present ministry, and Second Coming of Christ.

Acts 1:10-11: They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

Notice that the angels told the disciples that Jesus would return “in the same way” He ascended—visibly and bodily. Just as they watched Him go up into heaven, they would one day see Him come down from heaven.

Ephesians 4:8-10: This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.” (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)

1 Timothy 3:16: Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.

Hebrews 9:24: For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence.

This passage connects the ascension with Christ’s present work in heaven for us. He didn’t just leave earth—He went to the true sanctuary in heaven where He now represents us before the Father.

(Notebook Moment: Jesus ascended not just to leave earth, but to prepare a place for us in heaven. How does knowing that Christ is preparing a place specifically for you encourage you in your daily walk with God?)

Why Is the Exaltation Important?

The exaltation of Christ is not the same as His ascension. The ascension is Christ’s departure from earth. The exaltation is when the Father seated Him in majesty and power. Peter clearly separates the two events.

1 Peter 3:22: who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

Why is the exaltation of Christ important?

• It demonstrates the completion of Christ’s work.
• It demonstrates the sovereignty of Christ over all things.

First, sitting down is a sign that Christ has completed His work. The High Priest in the Old Testament never sat down when performing his sacred tasks—because the work was never finished. Jesus finished the work of redemption on the Cross, and then He sat down at the right hand of God.

Hebrews 10:12-14: But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

Colossians 3:1: Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

Second, the exaltation also speaks about the sovereignty of Christ. When God seated Christ at His right hand, which is the position of highest authority, He placed Him in ultimate rule over all creation, above every earthly ruler, spiritual power, and heavenly being.

Ephesians 1:20-23: he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Philippians 2:9-11: Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Psalm 110:1: The Lord says to my lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”

(Notebook Moment: Knowing that Christ is seated in absolute authority over all things, how should this truth affect the way you face challenges and difficulties in your life?)

Conclusion

Christ is our example and our pattern. We will rise again, as He arose. Just as His body was transformed into a glorious resurrection body, our mortal bodies will one day be raised imperishable and eternal.

Romans 6:5: For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.

1 Corinthians 15:22-23: For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.

We will ascend, as He ascended. When Christ returns, believers will be caught up to meet Him in the air and taken to the heavenly home He has prepared for us.

Acts 1:11: “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

We will be exalted, as He was exalted. God has already seated us with Christ in heavenly places, and one day we will reign with Him in glory and share in His eternal kingdom.

Ephesians 2:6: And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.

Revelation 3:21: To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.

These are some of the “great and precious promises” that we have in Christ. The resurrection, ascension, and exaltation of our Lord show us not only what He has accomplished for us, but also what awaits us as His followers. When we understand these historical events and their doctrinal meaning, we gain a deeper appreciation for the completeness of Christ’s work and the certainty of our future with Him.

2 Peter 1:4: Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

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