He Ascended into Heaven

As Priest

We are told that the World’s Redeemer passed through the Heavens (Heb. iv. 14, R.V.). We know that there are three Heavens, and there may be seven (2 Cor. vii. 2). But whatever be their number, Jesus passed through them as the High Priest passed through the Courts and Curtains of Tabernacle or Temple until He reached the Most Holy Place, where the Shechinah shone above the Ark. But all these things were patterns of ‘the things in the Heavens (Heb. ix. 9).

The Old Testament precedes the New, in order to give us God’s definitions and nomenclature; and the very design of the Levitical system was to furnish the phrases and symbols, which, in the process of time, would be required to describe the deepest mysteries of forgiveness, mediation, acceptance, and fellowship with God.

In order to impress on man his unfitness and unworthiness to enter the Divine Presence apart from the Mediation of the Divine-man, a special

place was constructed, viewed as the peculiar 117 residence of God. Ordinary men, who were of unclean lips and dwelt among a people of unclean lips were carefully excluded from its precincts. A certain class, however, was carefully selected, and of this the picked and perfectly developed men were again chosen, to whom was assigned the privilege of representing their fellows in the sacred courts; and of these only one who must be dressed in stainless white, and bear blood in his hands, was allowed to enter the inner shrine on one great day in the year.

But what a blessing that he could enter! What a comfort it must have been for those who were “ignorant and out of the way” to realize that he represented them, that in His Person they were accepted and welcome, and that nothing of their failure could hinder the mediation of their High Priest. Were their names not graven on his breast-plate, and borne on his shoulders! Had He not promised to plead for them at the hour of prayer! Was not the sacrificial blood which He bore a sufficient atonement! The most troubled heart might rest in such considerations.

This is exactly our position before God’s Majestic Purity and Stainless Holiness. As of old, the High Priest went into the Holy of Holies to stand before the Mystic Light that shone between the Cherubim, and plead for the people on the ground of the shed blood, so our ascended Lord passed through the Heavens “‘ now to appear in the presence of God for us.”

We must not think, of course, that Jesus needed to propitiate an angry and unwilling God, because we know that God loved the world and that “‘God was in Christ reconciling men to Himself; but we may be thankful to realize that He is God’s Ideal imputed to those who believe, that He has met the claims of infinite Justice, that life has come through His wounds, and atonement through His blood.

What a comfort it is to be able to say, “Look ‘not on me, nor on my past, O Thou of purer eyes than to behold sin, but behold my Shield, look on the Face of Thine anointed and beloved Son, my representative and propitiation. Accept me in virtue of what He is, and did, and will do for ever!”

Throughout a memorable chapter in that great Epistle which specially elaborates these thoughts, the writer repeatedly strikes the note that “He ever liveth,” and that ‘‘ He ever liveth to make intercession” (Heb. vii.). And in the Book of Revelation we behold the Angel of the Covenant mingling much incense with the Prayers of Saints offered on the Golden Altar, which is before the Throne (Rev. viii. 3). What words or symbols could more effectually reassure those who have fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before them in the Gospel! When our faith grapples such thoughts as these, we are kept from drifting on the surge of life’s tides (Heb. vi. 19).

Directly the laborious duties of the Great Day of Atonement were over, the High Priest arrayed himself in his splendid robes, and came forth to bless the congregation. So will our Saviour reappear, returning from the heaven of heavens, which has received Him till the restitution of all things of which God has spoken since the world began.

He appeared once to put away our sin. He appears always before the face of God for us. He will appear the second time in glory to put the last touches on His work by Resurrection and Eternal Judgment.