WHY ASCENSION
Why did Christ ascend into
heaven? The answer: our Savior’s Ascension was a necessary part of the
Atonement. It was the culmination of our interceding Redeemer’s redemptive work—the
climax of his great and last sacrifice. It was expedient that he ascend into
the presence of our Heavenly Father to forever make intercession for us.
The resurrection and ascension
stands together. If our atoning Messiah had not risen from the dead, out faith
would be “in vain.” If our propitiating Redeemer had not ascended bodily into
heaven, there would be no celestializing intercession made in the presence of
our Heavenly Father.
Our Lord’s first message, after
his resurrection, was to tell Mary to report to the Apostles: “I ascend unto my
Father, and your Father; and to my God, and to your God.” (John 20:17) (Keith
C. Warner, Infinite Atonement: Jesus Christ’s Atonement, 3 vols. [Kirk
Jotter Publishing, 2026], 3:92-93)
