A. 6 - He Ascended into Heaven, and Sits at the Right Hand of God, the Father Almighty

He Ascended into Heaven, and Sits at the Right Hand of God, the Father Almighty

Besides the Resurrection of Christ, we must also believe in his Ascension; for he ascended into heaven on the fortieth day. (Parallel texts: ST III.57.1, 3; In III Sent. 22.3.1; Compendium theologiae, ch. 240.) Hence, the Creed says: he ascended into heaven.

Concerning this we should observe three things, namely that it was sublime, reasonable, and beneficial.

It was certainly sublime that Christ ascended into heaven. This is expounded in three ways.

First, he ascended above the physical heaven: he ascended above all the heavens (Eph 4:10). And this first began in Christ: for previously an earthly body only existed on the earth, such that even Adam was in an earthly paradise.

Second, he ascended above all the spiritual heavens, that is, spiritual natures: raising Jesus up from the dead and setting him on his right hand in the heavenly places, above all principality and power and virtue and dominion and every name that is named, not only in this world but also in that which is to come; and he subjected all things under his feet (Eph 1:20–22).

Third, he ascended up to the very throne of the Father: Lo, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven. And he came to the Ancient of Days (Dan 7:13); and the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat at the right hand of God (Mark 16:19). Now, it is not to be taken in the literal sense, but figuratively, that Christ is at the right hand of God. Inasmuch as Christ is God, he is said to sit at the right hand of the Father, that is, in equality with the Father; and as Christ is man, he sits at the right hand of the Father, that is, in a more preferable place. The devil once feigned to do this: I will ascend above the height of the clouds. I will be like the Most High (Isa 14:13–14). But Christ alone succeeded in this, and so it is said: he ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father. The Lord said to my Lord: sit thou at my right hand (Ps 110 [109]:1).

Second, the Ascension of Christ into heaven is reasonable: and this is for three reasons. (Parallel texts: ST III.58.1, 2, 3; In III Sent. 22.3.3, qa. 2; Compendium Theologiae*, cc. 240, 246; Commentary on Ephesians, ch. 1, lect. 7; Commentary on Hebrews, ch. 8, lect. 1.)*

The first is because heaven was due to Christ by his very nature. It is natural for one to return to that place whence he takes his origin. The beginning of Christ is from God, who is above all things: I came forth from the Father and am come into the world; again I leave the world and I go to the Father (John 16:28). No man ascended into heaven, but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man who is in heaven (John 3:13). The just ascend into heaven, but not in the manner that Christ ascended, since Christ ascended by his own power. The saints, however, are taken up by Christ: draw me, we will run after you (Song 1:3). Or, indeed, we can say that no man but Christ has ascended into heaven, because the just do not ascend except insofar as they are the members of Christ who is the head of the Church. Wherever the body shall be, there shall the eagles also be gathered together (Matt 24:28).

Second, heaven is due to Christ because of his victory. For he was sent into the world to combat the devil, and he conquered him. Therefore, Christ deserved to be exalted above all things: I also have overcome and am set down with my Father in his throne (Rev 3:21).

Third, the Ascension is reasonable because of the humility of Christ. There was never humility so great as that of Christ, who, although he was God, yet wished to become man. And although he was the Lord, he yet wished to take the form of a servant, and was made obedient unto death (Phil 2:8), and descended even into the underworld. For this he deserved to be exalted even to heaven and to the throne of God, for humility leads to exaltation: he who humbles himself shall be exalted (Luke 14:11); he who descended is the same also who ascended above all the heavens (Eph 4:10).

Third, the Ascension of Christ was beneficial for us. This is seen in three ways.

The first is because, as our leader, he ascended in order to lead us; for we had lost the way, but he has shown it to us: for he who opens the breach shall go up before them (Mic 2:13). And thus, we may be made certain of possessing the heavenly kingdom: I go to prepare a place for you (John 14:2).

The second is for our security. For he ascended in order to intercede for us: whereby he is able also to save forever them that come to God by him; always living to make intercession for us (Heb 7:25); we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ (1 John 2:1).

The third is in order to draw our hearts to himself: For where your treasure is, there is your heart also (Matt 6:21), and to withdraw us from worldly things: if you be risen with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God; mind the things that are above, not the things that are upon the earth (Col 3:1).