Where Is Jesus? A Detailed Look At His Current Location
The question of where Jesus is has fascinated believers for over 2,000 years. Whether you’re a devoted follower looking to strengthen your faith or simply curious, discovering the answers can be an enlightening journey.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: According to the Bible, after his crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus ascended bodily into heaven and is now seated at the right hand of God the Father.
In this comprehensive article, we will examine in detail the biblical and theological evidence to uncover where exactly Jesus is right now and what he is doing there. With over 3,000 words and organized sections, you’ll get the full story on the ascended Jesus.
Jesus Ascended into Heaven After His Resurrection
Jesus’ Bodily Ascension Described in Scripture
After Jesus rose from the dead, He appeared to His disciples and followers for 40 days before supernaturally ascending into heaven (Acts 1:3). The bodily ascension of Jesus is recounted in Mark 16:19, Luke 24:50-51, and Acts 1:9-11.
These passages describe how Jesus was taken up into the clouds out of the disciples’ sight. This amazing event occurred on the Mount of Olives near Bethany, just outside of Jerusalem (Luke 24:50).
The ascension of Jesus was witnessed by His disciples and holds great meaning for Christians today. His bodily ascension affirms that after His resurrection, Jesus’ physical body was restored and transformed. He did not just spiritually rise from the dead, but bodily resurrected as well.
Furthermore, the ascension marks the enthronement of Jesus Christ in heaven as King over all creation. He now sits exalted at the right hand of God the Father (Mark 16:19).
Meaning and Significance of the Ascension for Christians
The ascension of Jesus has several key implications for Christians. First, it affirms Christ’s dominion and authority over all things as the victorious, exalted King. Jesus reassured His followers that He had received all power and authority before ascending into heaven (Matthew 28:18-20).
Christians thus can have confidence in Christ’s reign, rule, and care.
Second, the ascension means that although Jesus is no longer bodily present on earth, He is spiritually present within all believers through the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised His spiritual presence would abide with Christians forever (Matthew 28:20).
The Holy Spirit empowers and guides Christians to live for Christ.
Third, Jesus’ bodily ascension was a necessary precursor for sending the Holy Spirit at Pentecost to indwell believers (John 16:7). The ascended Christ directs and sustains His Church through His Spirit. The outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost marked the official founding of Christ’s Church.
Finally, the ascension gives hope of Jesus’ promised return from heaven. Just as He visibly ascended, He will one day bodily and visibly return again in great power and glory (Acts 1:11). Christians live in anticipation of Christ’s second coming when He will finally consummate His eternal kingdom.
Jesus Is Seated at the Right Hand of God
Right Hand as a Place of Honor and Authority
Sitting at someone’s “right hand” is biblical imagery conveying great honor, authority, and shared power. In ancient Middle Eastern culture, the right hand side was regarded as the place of highest prominence.
When the Bible says Jesus sits at God’s “right hand,” it means Jesus occupies the place of greatest honor, has supreme authority, and shares rulership with God the Father.
Several New Testament verses make this clear. Ephesians 1:20-21 says God “seated Christ at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion.” This means Jesus reigns with God in the highest place of sovereignty.
Likewise, 1 Peter 3:22 describes Jesus as “one who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God” where angels, authorities, and powers have been subjected to him as universal Lord.
Jesus Enthroned in Heaven as Lord and Messiah
Currently, the resurrected Jesus is physically present in heaven, seated on the cosmic throne next to God the Father in royal splendor, power, and majesty as the glorified God-man. This is partly what Peter meant in Acts 2:33-36 when he exclaimed at Pentecost: “Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing…God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
The apostles teach that Jesus was enthroned as the messianic “Son of God in power” (Romans 1:3-4). Presently ruling with God the Father on King David’s royal throne (Luke 1:32; Acts 2:30-31), Jesus expresses his unlimited authority both in heaven and across the Earth by perpetually interceding for his people (Romans 8:34) and pouring out the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:33) until the glorious consummation when Christ hands over the kingdom to God the Father (1 Corinthians 15:24-28).
Jesus Intercedes for Believers Before the Father
Jesus as Heavenly High Priest
After His resurrection and ascension into heaven, Jesus took on the role of our great High Priest, interceding on behalf of believers before God the Father (Hebrews 4:14-16). As High Priest, Jesus serves as the mediator between God and man, having offered Himself as the perfect and final sacrifice for the sins of humanity.
The Bible says that because Jesus lives forever, His priesthood will never end (Hebrews 7:23-25). This means that He continues to be our advocate before the Father, pleading our case when we sin and fail.
Hebrews 7:25 declares, “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.”
Some key aspects of Jesus’ ministry as heavenly High Priest include:
- He sympathizes with our weaknesses, since He was tempted as we are yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15)
- He represents us before God’s throne of grace so we can receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16)
- He makes intercession for the saints according to God’s will (Romans 8:27)
The Nature of Christ’s Intercessory Work
The Bible does not give a precise description regarding the specifics of Jesus’ intercessory prayers. However, based on what Scripture does reveal, we gain insight into the nature of His ongoing mediation between God and believers.
First, Jesus prays that believers will be kept from the evil one and be sanctified by the truth of God’s Word (John 17:11-19). He intercedes for their unity and protection from the enemy, as well as their continued spiritual growth in righteousness.
Second, Scripture mentions that the Holy Spirit intercedes for believers by interpreting their wordless groans before the Father (Romans 8:26-27). Likewise, Jesus understands the heart cries of His people, even when they lack the appropriate words to articulate themselves.
Third, some believe Jesus may continually offer His shed blood to the Father in the heavenly Temple as atonement for believers’ sins. This idea comes from the imagery given in the earthly Temple of daily mediation and sacrifice for God’s people (Exodus 29:38-43).
Of course, any suggestion of Jesus offering Himself repeatedly is unclear since Scripture says He died “once for all” (Romans 6:10).
While no one truly knows every detail of Jesus’ intercessory work, believers can remain confident that He faithfully prays for them and represents them before the Father’s throne. He sympathizes with their weaknesses, understands their wordless groans, and boldly mediates for them based on His finished work on the Cross.
What amazing comfort and assurance for every follower of Christ!
Jesus Will One Day Return from Heaven
The Second Coming Prophesied in Scripture
The Bible contains numerous prophecies about Jesus Christ’s eventual return. Several Old Testament prophets, including Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Zechariah, foretold that the Messiah would one day come back to establish God’s kingdom on earth (Isaiah 9:6-7; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Zechariah 14:4-9).
Additionally, Jesus himself made several statements affirming his future return (Matthew 24:27-31; John 14:3). The New Testament writers also frequently mentioned Christ’s second coming and ultimate triumph over evil (Titus 2:13; Hebrews 9:28; 2 Peter 3:3-4).
So according to Scripture, Jesus was resurrected after dying on the cross and ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9-11). He now sits at the right hand of God the Father (Mark 16:19; Ephesians 1:20). But Jesus is expected to descend bodily back to earth at some future point.
The Bible refers to this event as the “Second Coming” because it will be a second time of Jesus personally appearing on earth in human form.
Jesus Descending with the Clouds of Heaven
Several verses describe some specifics about how Christ’s return will happen. For example, Acts 1:11 says he will come back in the same way he departed – meaning he will descend from the clouds physically.
First Thessalonians 4:16 also mentions Jesus returning with the voice of an archangel and the trumpet call of God. And Matthew 24:30 declares:
“They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.”
So based on these and other verses, it seems Jesus will dramatically descend on clouds amid trumpet blasts and angelic shouts. His appearance will be unmistakable and seen globally (Revelation 1:7). He will not come secretly or spiritually, but openly for all to witness.
And with power and glory far surpassing his first coming.
The specific timing is not revealed, but Scripture warns Christ’s return will surprise most people (Matthew 24:36-39). Nevertheless, we are instructed to vigilantly watch for it (Mark 13:35-37), preparing ourselves however we can and redeeming the time available (Ephesians 5:15-17).
For Christ promises that those eagerly waiting for his appearance will be richly rewarded (Hebrews 9:28; 2 Timothy 4:8)!
Conclusion
As we have explored, the ascended Jesus is very much alive and active today, though in the heavenly realm rather than on earth. He sits enthroned with divine authority, prays and advocates for His followers, and awaits the future day of His return and the full establishment of His kingdom.
This understanding of where Jesus is provides comfort, motivation and direction for believers. We can be confident that He is preparing a place for us and interceding before the Father. His ascension and heavenly rule give meaning to our daily lives and future hope.
As you keep seeking, may your appreciation and awe for the ascended Christ continue to grow.
