Colossians 3: The Ascension's Promise of Future Glory

Looking Upward: More Than Just a Farewell

When we think about the Ascension of Jesus, it’s easy to see it as the end of His earthly ministry, a sort of final goodbye before He returned to His Father. And in one sense, it was. But if we dig a little deeper into the Scriptures, particularly a beautiful passage in Colossians chapter 3, we find that the Ascension isn’t just a historical event; it’s a powerful source of hope and a guide for how we should live our lives today.

Our New Citizenship: Raised with Christ

The Apostle Paul writes in Colossians 3:1 (KJV): "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God." Notice that powerful little phrase: "risen with Christ." As believers, our identity is now tied to His resurrection. We’re not just earthly beings anymore; we’ve been spiritually raised together with Him. Because of this, Paul urges us to "seek those things which are above." It’s not about ignoring our earthly responsibilities, but about setting our primary focus, our deepest longings, on the eternal realities where Christ is.

Setting Our Minds on Heavenly Things

Paul continues in Colossians 3:2 (KJV): "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth." The word "affection" here speaks to where our heart truly lies, what captures our attention and our desires. It’s so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day worries, the fleeting trends, the things that ultimately won’t last. But because our true citizenship is in heaven, because our Savior is there, our hearts should naturally gravitate towards those eternal values – things like love, joy, peace, and righteousness. It’s about having an eternal perspective that shapes our earthly living.

Our Hidden Life in Christ

Then comes this profound statement in Colossians 3:3 (KJV): "For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God." In Christ, our old self, the part of us that was enslaved to sin, has died. Our true life, the life that truly matters, is now hidden, secure, and intertwined with Christ in God. It’s like a precious treasure safely kept. This gives us incredible security and hope. Even when things around us feel chaotic or uncertain, our deepest identity and our ultimate destiny are safe in Him.

The Promise of Future Glory

Finally, Paul gives us this glorious promise in Colossians 3:4 (KJV): "When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory." The Ascension wasn’t the end of the story for Jesus, and it’s not the end for us either. Just as He ascended in glory, we too, because our life is now bound up in Him, will one day appear with Him in that same glory. This is the ultimate hope that the Ascension secures for us. It’s not just about going to heaven someday; it’s about sharing in His very glory.

So, the Ascension isn't just a memory of Jesus leaving. It’s a powerful reminder of our new reality in Him, our call to live with an eternal focus, the security of our life hidden in God, and the breathtaking hope of sharing in His future glory. It’s an upward call, inviting us to live today in light of the incredible future that awaits us.

Frequently asked questions

What is the main point of the blog post regarding the Ascension?

The blog post explains that the Ascension isn't just Jesus' departure but a source of hope and guidance for believers to focus on heavenly things due to their risen identity with Christ.

What does Colossians 3:2 tell believers to set their affection on?

Believers are told to set their affection on things above, not on earthly things.

What does the phrase "your life is hid with Christ in God" (Colossians 3:3) mean, according to the article?

It means that a believer's true life and ultimate destiny are secure and intertwined with Christ in God.

According to Colossians 3:1, what should believers seek?

Believers should seek those things which are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

What is the promise for believers when Christ appears again, based on Colossians 3:4?

When Christ appears, believers will also appear with Him in glory.

How should the reality of the Ascension and Colossians 3:1-4 influence a believer's daily life, according to the blog post?

It should inspire believers to live with an eternal perspective, focusing on heavenly values and the hope of future glory with Christ.