The Christian church has been waiting for the return of Christ longer than Israel waited for his first appearing. Back on that spring day on Mount Olivet when the disciples saw Jesus ascend into heaven, did they expect this wait to be so long? How should the church conduct itself while its king and head is absent? What is Jesus doing in heaven all this time anyway? Although sometimes overlooked and often misunderstood, the ascension of Christ is as cardinal a doctrine of the faith as the incarnation and resurrection. In this issue, we’re defining and defending this doctrine by applying the benefits of Christ’s absence to the church body he left behind.
Our first article, from New Testament theologian Matthew Barrett, answers some of the questions: Where did Jesus go? Why is it significant that Jesus was taken up into the clouds? What did his departure communicate to the disciples? How should we understand the character of the event itself?
Our second article, from Pastor Jeremy Treat, takes up the meaning of the ascension. Pastor Treat argues that ascension essentially means enthronement. Jesus ascended to the right hand of the Father where he rules and reigns. This act of ascending, then, helps to define both his kingship and his kingdom. In his article, Pastor Treat also shows us what the ascension means for us as the subjects of King Jesus who will one day reign with him.
Our third article, from our editor-in-chief Michael Horton, examines those strange words of Jesus in John 16:7, ‘Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.’ Dr. Horton’s article will show how the presence of the Holy Spirit is more beneficial for the church than the continued presence of Jesus on earth.
In addition to these feature articles, we’re including two interviews related to the topics we’re taking up in this issue. The first is with Dutch theologian Ad de Bruijne, an expert on the life and legacy of Abraham Kuyper. The second is with Russell Moore, who serves as president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. He is also the author of Onward: Engaging the Culture without Losing the Gospel. While each interview takes up its own distinct subject, we hope you’ll see how our thinking about the role of the Christian and the church here between Jesus’ first and second comings is determined by what Jesus is doing after his ascension.
With this issue, we’re now halfway through the 2016 calendar. Still to come are issues on justification, heaven, and the incarnation. We’d love to hear from you’especially if you’re a new subscriber. Contact us at editor@modernreformation.org or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
