Ascension and exaltation are Christ’s bodily return to the Father’s presence and the Father’s vindication of the risen Son, seated at His right hand.
Forty days after the resurrection the risen Christ ascended bodily, and the Father seated Him at His own right hand — the place of highest authority. There His finished sacrifice is declared sufficient, He pours out the Holy Spirit upon His church, and He ever lives to make intercession for His people.
He has received all authority as the obedient, risen Son; yet He awaits the day when His reign is made publicly complete and every enemy is subdued. Until then He is seated, interceding, and reigning in an authority the world does not yet see — and His people, who share His life, will one day share His visible reign.
See in Scripture: Psalm 110:1; Luke 24:50–53; Acts 1:9–11; Acts 2:32–36; Ephesians 1:20–23; Hebrews 7:25