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The Unseen Real: Life in the Light of the Ascension of Jesus
The early Christians believed that when Jesus ascended into heaven, he had been installed and exalted as King, reigning as Lord of all. Today, however, we tend to view Christ’s kingship as merely symbolic—like that of a contemporary British monarch. With sin and suffering, pain and brokenness, evil and injustice all around, how dare we proclaim that Jesus is reigning now. So we push his kingship off into the future when he returns.
- GenresTheology
108 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 15, 2016
16 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
Stephen Seamands
21 books10 followersStephen Seamands (Ph.D., Drew University) is professor of Christian doctrine at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. He also frequently speaks and leads retreats and seminars on such issues as emotional healing and spiritual renewal.
His books include Give Them Christ (InterVarsity Press, 2012), Christology and Transition in the Theology of Edwin Lewis (University Press of America, 1987), Holiness of Heart and Life (Abingdon, 1990), A Conversation with Jesus (Victor, 1994) and Wounds That Heal (InterVarsity Press, 2003).
His books include Give Them Christ (InterVarsity Press, 2012), Christology and Transition in the Theology of Edwin Lewis (University Press of America, 1987), Holiness of Heart and Life (Abingdon, 1990), A Conversation with Jesus (Victor, 1994) and Wounds That Heal (InterVarsity Press, 2003).
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 4, 2020
In the divine-human person of ascended Christ, they are bound together eternally. The horizon of the present, is the dominant horizon in the NT for viewing Jesus, ascended and sitting in heaven at God’s right hand. Today, he is reigning, validates and vindicates yesterday (life, death, and resurrection).
Which OT scripture is quoted most in NT? Deut. 6:5, Isa. 53:5, Ps. 23:1, Lev. 11:45. None of the above. Psalm 110:1.
Eph. 1:20-23, Jesus is not only risen but reigning, not only alive but sovereign, not only central but supreme. All things - politics, society, history, culture, personal lives are to be viewed from the vantage point of the ascended Christ.
2 Kings 6:17, O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see. For Elisha there was the seen real and also the unseen real (that made all the difference).
Christ ascended to the right hand of God that he might lift us up into an ascension life (A.B. Simpson).
In the apostle’s creed, it’s past, past, then boom, present: Jesus sits at the Father’s right hand. In the unfolding drama, the climax has been reached, all the other events to Jesus lie in the past, but his ruling from on high is present and ongoing.
Because there is seen and unseen real, we shouldn’t reduce the reality of his reign to the seen real. When Christ returns, what is already real - Jesus is Lord and King - will be perceived and evident to all (Rev. 1:7). Then he who is now King will be recognized and acknowledged and affirmed as King by all. (Phil. 2:10-11) What is now the unseen real (in heaven) will become the seen real (on earth).
Who is our King? Are there areas of our lives where we are bowing down to other kings even as we proclaim Christ is King? Have we submitted to Jesus and made him Lord and King over all? Where are we still sitting on the throne? Where do we insist on being in control of our lives?
Richard Neuhaus, "We are premature ambassadors, having arrived at the court before the sovereignty of our King has been recognized. It is awkward, of course, and our authority is very much in question. We must resist the temptation to relieve the awkwardness by accepting a lesser authority from another kingdom.”
F. B. Myer, Jesus Christ is literally in this room. It is true that He is at the right hand of God, but this is only to allow Him more easily to fill my heart, my need, my life. He is the very same as when Martha and Mary welcomed him to their home in Bethany. He is the same loving, tender Savior as when the children flocked around his knees, and His tears brimmed over at the grave of His friend.
We must be receptive and attentive, intentional and purposeful about cultivating an awareness of Christ’s presence. He is present whether we are aware or not, but our attentiveness to His presence isn’t automatic. Paradoxically, his presence must be sought (though always present). Psalm 105:4. Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his presence continually. He is speaking but we are not listening too often, leading, but we are not following.
You can boldly declare to your enemies, I am a beloved daughter or son of the King. I am a servant of the Most High. I am seated with Christ at God’s right hand. All authority has been given to Him and he has bestowed that power upon me. Therefore, in Jesus name i declare, you shall not pass!
By not removing Paul’s thorn in the flesh, God chose to do something even better, to perfect his power through weakness. As a result, this transformed Paul’s attitude towards his thorn. It didn’t signal defeat, fuel anger or self-pity, but he boasted, the power of Christ can dwell in me because of this weakness.
The ascension is both the basis for being sent to make disciples and being empowered as witnessed by the Holy Spirit. Mission is possible because of the ascension.
The Spirit enable us to be witnesses, to carry out the mission of Christ (Jn 20:21-22) to live victoriously over sin (Rom. 8:9) to overcome weakness (Rom. 8:26) to forgive our enemies, to know we are God’s beloved, to be bold and courageous (Acts 4:8-13), to exercise spiritual authority in Christ (Acts 16:18) to persevere in prayer (Eph. 6:18) to patiently endure in our weakness and suffering (Rom. 8:22-28).
In our own efforts, it becomes a heavy yoke, a burden we cannot bear. I am the vine, you’re the branches. Apart from me, you can do nothing. We may be productive, but we won’t be fruitful. Th Spirit joins us to the risen ascended Christ so that he himself can accomplish his mission through us. J. Wesley
I look upon all the world as my parish. Wherever I am, i judge it good and right and my duty to declare to all who willingly hear, the glad tidings of salvation.
Before we can be filled with the Spirit, the desire to be filled must be all consuming…We have as much of God as we actually want. A.W. Tozer.
Richard Neuhaus, It is our determination to be independent by being in control that makes us unavailable to God. (In order to experience more of the Spirit’s presence in our lives, we need to surrender areas of our lives in which we are insisting on being “independent by being in control”). Where in your life does self need dethroned? (A coup de grace needs to happen) Are there areas of unhealed hurt and pain and anger and bitterness and unforgiveness? Ask the ascended Christ then to empty you of anything that’s preventing the Holy Spirit from being in control.
Ask God to increase your will to surrender all to him. Ask for increased desire. Ask for increased will to surrender. Ask for increased faith.
Which OT scripture is quoted most in NT? Deut. 6:5, Isa. 53:5, Ps. 23:1, Lev. 11:45. None of the above. Psalm 110:1.
Eph. 1:20-23, Jesus is not only risen but reigning, not only alive but sovereign, not only central but supreme. All things - politics, society, history, culture, personal lives are to be viewed from the vantage point of the ascended Christ.
2 Kings 6:17, O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see. For Elisha there was the seen real and also the unseen real (that made all the difference).
Christ ascended to the right hand of God that he might lift us up into an ascension life (A.B. Simpson).
In the apostle’s creed, it’s past, past, then boom, present: Jesus sits at the Father’s right hand. In the unfolding drama, the climax has been reached, all the other events to Jesus lie in the past, but his ruling from on high is present and ongoing.
Because there is seen and unseen real, we shouldn’t reduce the reality of his reign to the seen real. When Christ returns, what is already real - Jesus is Lord and King - will be perceived and evident to all (Rev. 1:7). Then he who is now King will be recognized and acknowledged and affirmed as King by all. (Phil. 2:10-11) What is now the unseen real (in heaven) will become the seen real (on earth).
Who is our King? Are there areas of our lives where we are bowing down to other kings even as we proclaim Christ is King? Have we submitted to Jesus and made him Lord and King over all? Where are we still sitting on the throne? Where do we insist on being in control of our lives?
Richard Neuhaus, "We are premature ambassadors, having arrived at the court before the sovereignty of our King has been recognized. It is awkward, of course, and our authority is very much in question. We must resist the temptation to relieve the awkwardness by accepting a lesser authority from another kingdom.”
F. B. Myer, Jesus Christ is literally in this room. It is true that He is at the right hand of God, but this is only to allow Him more easily to fill my heart, my need, my life. He is the very same as when Martha and Mary welcomed him to their home in Bethany. He is the same loving, tender Savior as when the children flocked around his knees, and His tears brimmed over at the grave of His friend.
We must be receptive and attentive, intentional and purposeful about cultivating an awareness of Christ’s presence. He is present whether we are aware or not, but our attentiveness to His presence isn’t automatic. Paradoxically, his presence must be sought (though always present). Psalm 105:4. Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his presence continually. He is speaking but we are not listening too often, leading, but we are not following.
You can boldly declare to your enemies, I am a beloved daughter or son of the King. I am a servant of the Most High. I am seated with Christ at God’s right hand. All authority has been given to Him and he has bestowed that power upon me. Therefore, in Jesus name i declare, you shall not pass!
By not removing Paul’s thorn in the flesh, God chose to do something even better, to perfect his power through weakness. As a result, this transformed Paul’s attitude towards his thorn. It didn’t signal defeat, fuel anger or self-pity, but he boasted, the power of Christ can dwell in me because of this weakness.
The ascension is both the basis for being sent to make disciples and being empowered as witnessed by the Holy Spirit. Mission is possible because of the ascension.
The Spirit enable us to be witnesses, to carry out the mission of Christ (Jn 20:21-22) to live victoriously over sin (Rom. 8:9) to overcome weakness (Rom. 8:26) to forgive our enemies, to know we are God’s beloved, to be bold and courageous (Acts 4:8-13), to exercise spiritual authority in Christ (Acts 16:18) to persevere in prayer (Eph. 6:18) to patiently endure in our weakness and suffering (Rom. 8:22-28).
In our own efforts, it becomes a heavy yoke, a burden we cannot bear. I am the vine, you’re the branches. Apart from me, you can do nothing. We may be productive, but we won’t be fruitful. Th Spirit joins us to the risen ascended Christ so that he himself can accomplish his mission through us. J. Wesley
I look upon all the world as my parish. Wherever I am, i judge it good and right and my duty to declare to all who willingly hear, the glad tidings of salvation.
Before we can be filled with the Spirit, the desire to be filled must be all consuming…We have as much of God as we actually want. A.W. Tozer.
Richard Neuhaus, It is our determination to be independent by being in control that makes us unavailable to God. (In order to experience more of the Spirit’s presence in our lives, we need to surrender areas of our lives in which we are insisting on being “independent by being in control”). Where in your life does self need dethroned? (A coup de grace needs to happen) Are there areas of unhealed hurt and pain and anger and bitterness and unforgiveness? Ask the ascended Christ then to empty you of anything that’s preventing the Holy Spirit from being in control.
Ask God to increase your will to surrender all to him. Ask for increased desire. Ask for increased will to surrender. Ask for increased faith.
May 12, 2021
This was an excellent book. Seamands brings to light a routinely overlooked -- but clearly important -- event in the life of Christ Jesus, the life of the Church, and in the life of individual Believers.
The Ascension of Jesus into Heaven is an occurrence the Bible clearly states took place 40 days after Jesus rose from the dead. The Faithful do not dispute this, regardless of Traditional background. However, other than giving it a nod and reading about it, the Church has not truly recognized it's importance, other than to say unless Jesus ascended, the Spirit could not descend.
Seamands begs to differ. His point is that much more has been accomplished for us than the giving of the Holy Spirit -- a gift he addresses at the end of the book. Rather, Seamands' focus is that Jesus' Ascension is when He took His throne, a fulfilment of Psalm 110:1-2, and now that He reigns as Sovereign King over all. His followers are also now citizens of an exalted Kingdom. We who follow Jesus are seated with Him in the heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6), which is where our thoughts and minds are to be set (Col. 3:1-4). Each chapter discusses in detail what this means for Christ followers in real time, with questions for personal or group reflection at each chapter's end.
I found this book fascinating. On the one hand, much of the theology wasn't new to me. But for so much of it to be tied directly to the Ascension WAS new to me. This was a paradigm shift, and I was grateful for it.
I would encourage anyone who is a Believer to read this book, as well as anyone who is interested in Christian Theology. It is a relatively short book (134 reading pages), with a strong set of footnotes. It is published by Seedbed, a house that is known for putting out solid material. You will not be sorry.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND
The Ascension of Jesus into Heaven is an occurrence the Bible clearly states took place 40 days after Jesus rose from the dead. The Faithful do not dispute this, regardless of Traditional background. However, other than giving it a nod and reading about it, the Church has not truly recognized it's importance, other than to say unless Jesus ascended, the Spirit could not descend.
Seamands begs to differ. His point is that much more has been accomplished for us than the giving of the Holy Spirit -- a gift he addresses at the end of the book. Rather, Seamands' focus is that Jesus' Ascension is when He took His throne, a fulfilment of Psalm 110:1-2, and now that He reigns as Sovereign King over all. His followers are also now citizens of an exalted Kingdom. We who follow Jesus are seated with Him in the heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6), which is where our thoughts and minds are to be set (Col. 3:1-4). Each chapter discusses in detail what this means for Christ followers in real time, with questions for personal or group reflection at each chapter's end.
I found this book fascinating. On the one hand, much of the theology wasn't new to me. But for so much of it to be tied directly to the Ascension WAS new to me. This was a paradigm shift, and I was grateful for it.
I would encourage anyone who is a Believer to read this book, as well as anyone who is interested in Christian Theology. It is a relatively short book (134 reading pages), with a strong set of footnotes. It is published by Seedbed, a house that is known for putting out solid material. You will not be sorry.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND
June 16, 2019
My pastor, himself an author and authority on the ascension, gave me this book...probably because he was referenced several times in chapter 3. That said, what does it mean to Christians today that Christ is still in flesh, seated at the right hand of God, with all authority, and his enemies being made a footstool? I won’t give it away, but I will say that the ascension is the most overlooked significant event in the life of Christ. Let’s fix that!
September 29, 2023
It is a wonderful book that dives deep into the theological and biblical meaning of the Ascension. This book is helpful for the Church to understand the importance of the celebration of Ascension Sunday as a true Holiday.
May 12, 2021
I’ve grown up in a tradition that talked about the Ascension and even would celebrate that high holy day. Seamands expounding on the ascension makes a fire burn in me to want more.
October 4, 2021
Very insightful book about the connection between the Ascension and the Christian life, especially living the Christian life in the Spirit. Very helpful to me in this season of my life.
April 12, 2023
Well written, accessable. Helpful. Recommend!
November 23, 2024
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Doctrine based on the Ascension is often under underrepresented, I think. Chapter 2 alone, about the Kingship of Christ, is worth the price of the book.
October 9, 2025
Highly recommend for an understanding of the significance of the Ascension of Jesus.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews