Today, we mark the day when Jesus Christ ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. Nearly 2,000 years ago, what the prophet Daniel saw in a vision came to pass:
In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. (Daniel 7:12-14)
Jesus has received from the Father a great kingdom that He has so graciously invited us to join in. So often, we as Christians get stuck in the day-in, day-out struggles of life. Even this morning, I was heavy and distracted by the troubles and difficulties that I faced. Before I even realized it, I had lost vision of this amazing kingdom that I had been invited to through Jesus.
May we never forget that all the trouble, all the trials, all the self-denial are merely the “bumpy road” to this unshakable, eternal inheritance we are offered in Christ. It was the apostle Paul who encouraged his disciples to remain faithful, reminding them, “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22).
Yet he said of these hardships, "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18).
Brothers and sisters, the Father has "qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins" (Colossians 1:12-14).
May we live like it in faith, hope and love.
Happy Ascension Day.
Maranatha!
Essene Press Team
