Ep 235: Ascension, Kingdom, and Eschatology

In this episode I reflect on the relationship between the ascension of Jesus, his status as king over all creation, and inaugurated eschatology. The resurrected Jesus was taken up into heaven during his ascension and currently sits at the right hand of God, ruling over all creation as king and presiding over the cosmic temple as priest. Because of this, the promised ‘final days’ have already arrived. God’s kingdom grows through the empowering Spirit which the ascended Jesus poured out upon his church to proclaim the gospel to the ends of the earth. The eschatological end has been inaugurated and will be completed upon the return of Jesus. I explore how passages like Acts 1:1-11, Matthew 28:18-20, Hebrews 1, and Psalm 110 attest to this reality, why we often ignore the dangerous political ramifications of the ascension, and the impact on Biblical studies and theology.