All-Inclusive Christ — New Testament Reality

Ascension

In ascension, the victorious resurrected Christ was raised to the right hand of God (Rom. 8:34). This signifies that He has the preeminence, holding the most exalted place of honor. He has ascended to the height of the universe and has been crowned with glory and honor (Heb. 2:9). With such a position on God’s throne, He is able to administrate the entire universe according to God’s economy (Heb. 12:2; Rev. 3:21; 22:1, 3; Rev. 5:6). In order to carry out such an administration, Christ is has been made the Ruler of the kings of the earth (Rev. 1:5). As the One who is far above all earthly rulers, He is ruling over all those who are in power. (Witness Lee, Conclusion, 336)

In ascension Jesus was officially inaugurated as the Lord, the Savior, and the Christ.

In ascension Jesus was officially inaugurated as the Lord, the Savior, and the Christ (Acts 5:31; 2:36; 10:36). Surely He had already been designated as such in eternity past. However, it was only after passing through incarnation, death, resurrection, and ascension that He was qualified to attain such a position. As the Lord of all, He is above all rule and authority on earth. He is ruling over every aspect of the earthly environment so that it may be fit for God’s chosen people to receive His salvation and to experience Him as their Savior. By ruling over all and being the Savior to God’s people, He is also carrying out His commission as the Christ, the One appointed and anointed by God to fulfill His eternal plan. (Witness Lee, Conclusion, 338-340)

There is a marvelous heavenly transmission from the ascended Christ to His Body on earth.

Further, Ephesians 1:20-22 indicates that in ascension Christ is the Head over all things to the church. This one phrase implies that there is a marvelous heavenly transmission from the ascended Christ to His Body on earth. All that Christ has attained and obtained is being transmitted to the church in order for her to share in the wealth of His person and work. (Witness Lee, Conclusion, 340-341)

In ascension Christ is also the Paraclete (1 John 2:1). The Greek origin of this word is parakletos, denoting one who is called to another’s side to help him, one who intercedes on behalf of someone else, hence an advocate, counsel or intercessor. Christ is our Advocate with the Father caring for our case, interceding on our behalf (Rom. 8:34), and pleading for our forgiveness when we sin. He intercedes on our behalf based on His propitiation. He has presented Himself to the Father as the unique sacrifice for sin, fully satisfying God’s righteous demand. (Witness Lee, Conclusion, 343-344) We are thus forgiven and justified (Col. 1:14; Rom. 5:18).

Finally in ascension Christ is the High Priest (Heb. 4:14) for the purpose of bearing us into the presence of God and caring for all of our needs (Heb. 2:17-18; 4:15). In the Old Testament the high priest, as a type of Christ, would go once a year into the presence of God with the names of the children of Israel upon his shoulders and breast (Exo. 28:9-12, 15-30). Today Christ actually bears each of us before God continually and is caring for us as a faithful divine-human High Priest, who is able to sympathize with our weaknesses (Heb. 4:15), yet is also qualified to save us to the uttermost (Heb. 7:25).