Ascension Day

Ascension, May 1, 2008

Hi, a blessed Ascension day to you!

I noted today in reading Daniel 7 that as the vision unfolds where one like a son of man comes before the Ancient of Days and he was given authority, glory and sovereign power and all the nations of the earth worshipped him. Then it says that:

His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away,
and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

This reminded me of a phrase Peter repeats twice in his first epistle (which we looked at recently). In 4:11 and 5:11 he says "to him be dominion for ever and ever." Now it is a different word in the Greek OT and 1 Peter, but still I'm thinking about "dominion," about the exaltation of Jesus, and the kingdom of God.

Jesus has begun his rule. Though we may struggle, though there is still much evil in the world, though the devil still prowls around like a roaring lion, the resurrection and ascension of Jesus promises us something in its face. There are still casualties as the first fruits of victory has happened, but the final establishing of his kingdom with wrongs being righted, evil being ended, and his people raised to everlasting life in the new heavens and new earth. But the guarantee is sure. "He will come again to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end..."

Let us serve him, do good, share and show the good news, and advance his kingdom every day with the assurance that our labor in the Lord is not in vain (1 Cor. 15:58).

He is exalted, the king is exalted on high - I will praise him!