HOUSE TOP GOSPEL
House Top Gospel is a Podcast dedicated to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
“Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, Preach on the HOUSE TOPS" Matthew 10:27.
HOUSE TOP GOSPEL
The Divine Necessity of Christ's Ascension
Have you ever wondered why Jesus had to leave His disciples after such a short time with them? What could possibly be so important that it justified leaving His followers behind?
"It is to your advantage that I go away," Jesus told His sorrowful disciples. These words from John 16 reveal a profound spiritual truth that still resonates today. Rather than abandonment, Jesus' departure was actually the essential next step in God's redemptive plan—one that would ultimately bring greater blessings than His physical presence alone could provide.
This powerful meditation explores three vital reasons Jesus needed to return to heaven. First, He ascended to take His rightful place of glory that had been prepared before the foundation of the world. From this position at the Father's right hand, exalted above every power and authority, He now rules as our King, High Priest, and Prophet. Second, Jesus went to prepare eternal dwellings for believers—the New Jerusalem, described as buildings "not made with human hands." For over 2,000 years, He has been preparing this place for all who trust Him, including saints from every generation. Finally, His departure enabled the sending of the Holy Spirit—the divine presence who guides us into truth, transforms our minds, empowers our witness, and guarantees our salvation.
Most profoundly, Jesus' ultimate desire is that we would know Him and the Father intimately. "This is eternal life," He prayed, "that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." Through His departure and the Spirit's arrival, this relationship becomes possible for believers everywhere. As theologian Mark Jones beautifully explains, "Jesus did not rise from the dead alone... He took with him into glory all his people upon his breast, so that we are as secure as he is in the heavenly places."
Let this message transform your understanding of Christ's ascension from a sorrowful goodbye into the glorious necessity it truly was—one that secured eternal blessings beyond imagination. Ask Jesus to pray for you today, knowing His prayers will certainly be answered.
Book Cited:
Jones, Mark. KNOWING CHRIST. Edinburgh, UK. / Carlisle, PA. USA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022. Print.
In Jesus' name. I did not say these things to you from the beginning because I was with you, but now I am going to him who sent me. But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth it is to your advantage that I go away. John 16, verses 4-7.
Speaker 1:During Jesus' time on earth with his disciples, they could not fully comprehend the significance of his departure and how necessary it was for Jesus to return to heaven. John writes Because I have told you these things, sorrow has filled your hearts. I tell you the truth it is to your advantage that I go away Elsewhere. In John 14.28, john records Jesus as he says if you loved me, you would have rejoiced that I am returning to my father because my father is greater than I am. That's almost as if to say, for example, you have a son or a daughter all grown up and ready to leave home and go to college or something, and you rejoice why? Because you love them and because their time has come, it's time for them to go, and you're happy for them because you love them, but not so with Jesus. He was begrudged of that joy and the honor that was due him by his disciples. Jesus' time had come. It was time for him to return to heaven to receive the great honor and glory prepared for him before the foundation of the world. However, their hearts were filled with sorrow instead. Okay, first of all, jesus had to return to heaven because he had to ascend to the highest place in heaven, prepared for him before the creation of the world.
Speaker 1:The Bible says A place no human has ever gone. Remember Jesus was 100% flesh and bone, like you and me, born of a woman right. Born of a woman right. Peter says Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels and authorities and powers having been subjected to him. And the psalmist also writes sit here at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet. That's Psalms 110, verse 1. That place belongs to Jesus above every power, every principality, every dominion and authority, above every name that can be named in heaven and on earth. All power and all authority in heaven and on earth have been given to Jesus by his Father.
Speaker 1:But even more than him taking his place in glory, it was Jesus' deep desire for us, for you and me, to eventually be with him in heaven to see his glory that the Father has given to him. Because of the love that they shared, jesus prayed Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. That's John 17, verse 24. It is the love between the Father and His Son that Jesus wants to share with you and me, you and me. We should also realize that Jesus was not only speaking on behalf of his disciples 2,000 years ago or about you and me 2,000 years in the future. He was also referring to every single believing soul, from the time of Adam to Abraham and Moses, all the way back to Abel and all the ancient saints who went before us. They were waiting for Jesus to come to heaven and to take his rightful place in glory, high above every power and principality authority, at the right hand of his Father. That was prepared for him before the foundation of the world. From there he rules as our King and our High Priest and Prophet. That is why it was so necessary for Jesus to return home to his Father and, of course, his disciples could not fully grasp that, that importance At that time, of course, because they hadn't received the power of the Holy Spirit yet. Jesus said to his disciples I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. John 16, 12.
Speaker 1:A second reason Jesus needed to return to heaven was because he promised to prepare a place for us. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, what I have told you, I go to prepare a place for you, and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again to take you to myself that, where I am there, you may be also the place that the Bible refers to as many rooms, dwelling places or buildings not made with human hands that Jesus went to repair actually did not exist before his departure. Went to repair, actually did not exist before his departure. The redeemed saints who went before us from Genesis to Malachi, all before the advent of Christ, were patiently waiting for Jesus to return to heaven to claim his rightful place in glory. In other words, god's family, his new human family remember, we are a new creation was eagerly waiting for Jesus to bring them to their true home in heaven.
Speaker 1:Now you might be thinking or you might not that if the saints before us weren't in heaven at that time, then where were they the whole time? And that's an excellent question. I mean, we've had that discussion here at home, I've heard it on the radio and it's somewhat of a mystery. But if we examine, if we look at Luke's gospel, chapter 16, verses 19 to 31, and that beautiful parable about the rich man and the poor beggar, lazarus, we can discover that the children of God were comforted and cared for by God's holy angels, along with Abraham and, of course, all the patriarchs after him, david, isaiah, daniel and so forth. I realize it's not a perfect answer to that question, but you know I'm just a layman and you know just a homegrown theologian, but that's still a great question though.
Speaker 1:Nonetheless, jesus has been preparing that place for you and me and for those who have gone before us, for over 2,000 years In our time. Of course, a place not made with human hands, the Bible says. The place referred to in the Bible as dwelling places, rooms, mansions, buildings or houses not made with human hands, that Jesus went to prepare, which did not exist before his departure, could very well be the holy city, the new Jerusalem which John speaks of in the book of Revelation, chapter 21. John speaks of in the book of Revelation, chapter 21. Mount Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God, and to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, that's right whose names are written in heaven, to the judge of all men and to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, where Jesus, the mediator of the new covenant, now resides. That's Hebrews 12, verse 24. Listen to Jesus' prayer, father. I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you and these know that you have sent me. I made known may be in them and I in them. That's John, chapter 17, verses 24 to 26. And that was Jesus praying.
Speaker 1:Mark Jones, a great theologian and scholar. Mark Jones, a great theologian and scholar, in his book Knowing Christ, writes, and I quote Jesus did not rise from the dead alone. He did not ascend alone. He does not sit in glory alone. No, he rose, ascended and sits as the husband of his bride. He took with him into glory all his people upon his breast, so that we are as secure as he is in the heavenly places. Mark Jones continues as believers, we should comfort ourselves that Christ did not return to his father alone, but as captain of our salvation who enables us to share in his glory. End quote. Now that's Mark Jones from his book Knowing Christ, that's Knowing Christ. I highly recommend it. I got my copy from Amazon.
Speaker 1:Listen to what Paul writes. Paul writes For this light, momentary affliction is preparing an eternal weight of glory, beyond all comparison, which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in heaven. 2 Corinthians 5, verse 1.
Speaker 1:A third reason Jesus needed to return to heaven was to send the Holy Spirit. Jesus said I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go. If I do not go away, the helper will not come to you, but if I go, I will send him to you and he, the spirit of truth, will come, he will guide you into all truth. That's John 16, verses 12 to 13. Jesus needed to go because he was about to send the promise of the Father, the Holy Spirit. Luke 24, 49. 49,. Behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you, but stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.
Speaker 1:The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Godhead. He is a person. This is very important. I really cringe when I hear people call the Holy Spirit an it. He's not an it. He is the person of God here on earth, where rust and dust and moth corrupt and thieves break into steel. Yes, he is here. He is the comforter in our trials and tribulations and troubles.
Speaker 1:The Holy Spirit. When you heard the gospel of truth and you believed, you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of your salvation. The Holy Spirit is proof positive that you are a child of God. That's in Ephesians, chapter 1, verse 13, and Romans, chapter 8, verse 16. The Holy Spirit is the power behind our witness. He is the one who convicts us of our sin and empowers us to repent. The Holy Spirit enables us to come close to God. He is the one who transforms our lives by renewing our mind and guiding us into all truth. Without him, the Holy Spirit, we can accomplish nothing. He is the inspiration for our devotion, he is the enthusiasm that fuels our service. He is the peace of God that surpasses all human understanding.
Speaker 1:Well, because of these few things. This is why Jesus needed to return to heaven, so he could take his rightful place in glory that was waiting for him, and to prepare a beautiful place for you and for me, and to send the Holy Spirit to guide us Through our journey there. It was Jesus' desire and it is Jesus' desire, and it is Jesus' desire even as we speak, that you know him and his Father. That, my friends, is eternal life. That was Jesus' dying prayer as he went to the cross John 17, 3,.
Speaker 1:And this is eternal life. Jesus prayed that you know the only true God and Jesus Christ whom he has sent. That is why we are here, that is the very reason we exist. That is our purpose in life. It is to know God through Jesus Christ. That was Jesus' dying prayer. But now that he has risen and has been exalted above every power and principality and authority as our faithful high priest, prophet and king, seated at the right hand of the Father as our great advocate interceding for us, we can rest assured, knowing that his prayers will be answered. Do you want Jesus praying for you? Of course you do, I do. And if you're not sure, then ask him. Ask him tonight. Ask Jesus to pray for you, to come into your heart. Ask, and you can rest assured, knowing that your prayers will be answered. Thank you.
