[He] was taken up in glory.
Summary: To be ‘taken up in glory’ suggests that someone was there to give glory to Jesus. Who, what, and how become the quest in this meditation.
The last line of Paul’s poetic description of “the mystery from which true godliness springs” is that Jesus was “taken up in glory.”
Luke describes it this way:
“On one occasion, while he [Jesus] was eating with them [the disciples] gathered around him and asked [a question. After he answered,] he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.” (Acts 1:4-9)
While his departure is clearly impressive, the glory is not at all obvious. We don’t see the honor, praise, and worship that we might expect to see.
At the time of Jesus’ ascension, he had just successfully completed the most dangerous rescue mission possible: He had saved the human race from complete destruction (Romans 5:8-9).
From our perspective, here on earth, Jesus’ ascension may have seemed like a loss. If they did think to give Jesus honor, praise, and worship while he was ascending, they were a small group. The rest of the world was oblivious. In fact, there were people who hadn’t seen Jesus alive and were glad he was “dead.”
So what does “taken up in glory” mean?
I am reminded (again) of Elisha the prophet when he was staying at Dothan, and the Arameans surrounded the town to trap and kill him. His servant was terrified by the imposing army, but Elisha seemed unbothered. To reassure his servant, he prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see” (2 Kings 6:17). Then the text says:
“Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha” (2 Kings 6:17). What we don’t see in the ascension story is the army of God and the angels and heavenly hosts praising Jesus (Psalm 148:2).
To get a better idea of who Jesus is, Paul writes that Christ was seated at the right hand of God in the heavenly realm, “ far above all rule and authority, power and dominion,” and “God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church” (Ephesians 1:21-22).
Application: All praise and glory and honor to Jesus Christ, our King.
Food for Thought: What is different between the praise that comes from heavenly beings and the praise from earth-bound humans?
What is different between the praise that comes from heavenly beings and the praise from earth-bound humans?
I think that the key difference is that heavenly beings praise God for His Holiness, experience the Holiness of God in the presence of God, and are overcome with praise for God. Earth-bound humans praise God for His provision and redemption but I think we struggle to fully understand the magnitude of the Holiness of God. I think we more glorify God in expressed joy and gratitude.
Revelation 4:8
8 And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say,
“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty,
who was and is and is to come!”
Matthew 18:10
10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.
1 Peter 1:8
8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,
When I say it like that it puts a different perspective on sin for me. That Lucifer and 1/3 of the angels could openly rebel against God despite being allowed in His presence demonstrates, to me, a higher level of destructiveness than I had really thought about before.
Thank you, Chris!
Well said! Your point about Lucifer is thought provoking!
Good comments as usual CH.
I have been going through Revelation, which has several descriptions of praise and worship in Heaven by both angels and people.
As CH mentions, we first see angels praising God for His holiness and pre-existent, eternal nature: “ ‘Holy, holy, holy
is the Lord God Almighty,’
who was, and is, and is to come.”
We first see humans in heaven worshipping Him and worthy of praise due to creation and salvation and our resulting inheritance: “You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being.”
“You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased for God
persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
and they will reign on the earth.”
Of course an interesting component is that they are worshipping the Lord together extolling many reasons He is worthy of praise.
We can join them in that praise even now.
Thank you, Rich!
Your point about “humans in heaven” is interesting. Being in God’s presence would definitely give us a different perspective on God’s love and sacrifice for us.
What is different between the praise that comes from heavenly beings and the praise from earth-bound humans?
Heavenly beings are described as powerful, created beings who do not seek worship for themselves but direct all glory to God. They are fully aware of the fact that only God is truely worthy of praise.
Revelation 7:15, Therefore, they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.
Matthew 4:11, Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
Luke 2:13, a multitude of the heavenly host appears, praising God and proclaiming His glory
Hebrews 1:14, Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
Thank you, Ron!
To be “fully aware” of God is certainly a game changer!