FromNowUntilForeverBook8.5x5.5 REV.indd

(Luke 19:12). Spiritually speaking, this “journey” represents the transition Jesus made 40 days after His resurrection, one in which He returned to heaven to assume His rightful positon at the right hand of the Father (Luke 24:51, Acts 7:55, Romans 8:34, Ephesians 1:20). This event is perhaps the most under emphasized part of the Gospel. For, if Jesus had not ascended to heaven:

The Holy Spirit would not live within us. “If I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but ifI go, I will send Him to you” (John 16:7) Our sins would remain unforgiven. Christ “Entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle . . . through His own blood . . . once for all, having obtained eternal redemption . . . into heaven itself , now to appear in the presence of God for us” (Hebrews 9:11,12,24). Jesus would not currently be praying on ourbehalf. Stationed at the Father’s right hand, Christ “Always lives to make intercession” (Hebrews 7:25). Heaven would not be ready for us. “I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and received you to Myself, thatwhere I am, there you may be also (John 14:2,3). The church would lack spiritual gifts. “The . . .Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one (gifts) individually just as He wills (1Corinthians 12:11). Many great works would go undone. “He who

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