Our first base has to be the event that marks a transition in the earthly ministry of Jesus. It rolls back the division between time and eternity. He took 3 disciples with Him. As He communed with the Father His appearance began to shine like the sun. A foretaste of the transition heavenward in His Ascension.
The Glory began to fill the mountain with the cloud. Moses and Elijah appear and speak as Luke recites, concerning the decease of Jesus and what He would accomplish in Jerusalem. As we chart this road to the Right Hand, the central point of the efficacy of this journey resides in the suffering that Christ would undergo in this process. Paul accurately describes this in his letter to the Philippians chapter 2. He speaks of a lifelong humiliation and then a sudden exaltation.
Paul also mirrors this in his life too where in Jerusalem also he is persecuted by his own and handed over to the Romans for similar ends. It seems that Jerusalem is a focal point for all those who have walked with God met with opposition in what will become the eternal city. Yet many prophets, apostles and the Lord Himself met death there. Only to have God outpouring grace and His Spirit. It is not by chance that I am writing this with a regional conflict with Iran raining missiles that have reached Jerusalem.
It seems to me that as we historically consider Jesus’ journey to the Right Hand we too have a similar journey to make as Ephesians promises that we too shall sit with Him at the Right Hand.
However modern expression of Christianity shies away from a main component that we must face head on. The road before us is a road of suffering and persecution. For at least 50 years what has been preached has been gaining blessings and comforts from God. Has not prepared the saints what is up ahead. Maybe the ultimate price.
The blood of His Saints for His sake is the seed and catalyst for the judgments that come from God upon the nations, kings and governments of the world who have raged against the Lord and His Anointed One. (Psalms 2)
The Blood of Jesus opened the way for redemption, in turn the blood of the saints pave the way for the judgments which are the gateway to eternity and a New Heaven and New Earth, where a New Jerusalem will no longer persecute the saints. No longer burdensome but a blessing. Where Jesus will rule eternally and where the devil and the unrighteoua shall no longer influence.
We have to make the decision to change our value system from self preservation and see the ultimate sacrifice affects eternity. We no longer live for ourselves but He who redeemed us.
Hebrews 12 says “who for the joy set before Him endured the cross ” gives us insight to what we need, the joy that sees beyond the pain, death itself, to see a Kingdom of Love and Peace established. It will not be founded and fully manifested through armies, air power or missiles but by saints who give their lives for the cause.
This is the journey to the Right Hand. He who endures, despises the “shame” for identifying with Christ, qualifies to sit down at the Right Hand.
It is a lonely road, but also a road that unlocks eternal realities. May we walk with Him in it.
Maranatha!!!!
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