The Stages of Christ's Ascension and Return (Part 4)

In Part 3 of this post series, we had a look at the continued ascension of Jesus from the clouds (the position in which Stephen saw Jesus in Acts 7:55-56), to the position in light which He occupied according to 1 Tim.6:16. Between these two scripture references, it clearly identified Jesus in two different places. However, I won't be dogmatic and claim that these two positions are separated by the "waters above the firmament", but based on my current convictions, I'll illustrate it as such in my diagram below. (The purpose of the diagram is simply to show the eventual symmetry between Christ's ascension and return. I don't claim it to be accurate in depicting locations or positions in the heavenly ascension). 

In this 'short' post, I'd like to identify one final position, as quoted from scripture, in which Jesus ascended to. This I believe is the throne of God and the ultimate position that Christ has held in all eternity past and for all future to come.

Paul, writing to the Ephesians, provides us the identity of this place,

Eph.4:10  He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above ALL heavens, that he might fill all things.

The 'ALL' in this verse is all three heavens, as discussed in the previous post. The verse also tells us the purpose for this position; "that He might fill all things". This is of course the ultimate aim of God's full redemption plan (according to the timeline in the top banner of this blog), that determines the two programs, one for the Jews, to inherit earth, and the other for the Body of Christ to inherit the heavens. By filling all of creation with the redeemed of the Lord, it will bring about the completion of God's purpose in reclaiming creation, restoring all things to its proper order, and having Jesus Christ fill all created things with His substance, glory and power.

So, we see that Jesus ascended into various positions, and it's these positions that will help identify how He will return again. These positions can be seen in terms of location, but more so in terms of glory and authority.

Eph.1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

Deut.10:14 Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens (highest heavens) is the Lord's thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is.

Ps.68:33 To Him who rides in the heavens of heavens (highest heavens), the ancient heavens, Behold, He sends out His voice, a mighty and majestic voice.

In the next set of posts to come, we will start looking at the return of Christ, building into the diagram the positions he will occupy as he returns, in increasing glory and power. Having looked at the positions He took as He ascended, it will now help us to understand the significance of He return and the stages of that return to complete the redemption plan of God. It will reveal some wonderful revelations and confirm the interpretation of some scriptures that have been misunderstood because of not rightly dividing the scriptures between the Body of Christ and Israel.