This term is constantly applied to the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to heaven from whence He came (John 3:13). Leading His eleven apostles out as far as Bethany, on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives, in the act of blessing them He ascended up to heaven, and a cloud hid Him from their sight (Mark 16:19; Luke 24:50-51; Acts 1:9). The ascension of the Lord Jesus is a momentous fact for His saints: the One who bore their sins on the cross has been received up in glory, and sits on the right hand of God.
As forerunner He has entered into heaven for the saints, and has been made a high priest forever after the order of Melchisedec (Heb. 6:20). His ascension assured, according to His promise, the descent of the Holy Spirit, which was accomplished at Pentecost (John 16:7: Acts 1:4,8; 2:1-47). As ascended He became Head of His body the church (Eph. 1:22), and gave gifts to men, among which gifts are evangelists who preach to the world, and pastors and teachers to care for and instruct the saints (Psa. 68:18; Eph. 4:8-13).
His ascension is a demonstration through the presence of the Holy Spirit that sin is in the world and righteousness in heaven, for the very One they rejected has been received by the Father into heaven (John 16:10). The ascension is also a tremendous fact for Satan: the prince of this world has been judged who led the world to put the Lord to death; and in His ascension He led captivity captive, having broken the power of death in which men were held (Eph. 4:8), for He had in the cross spoiled principalities and powers and made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it (Col. 2:15).
Above all, the ascension is a glorious fact for the blessed Lord Himself. Jehovah said unto Him, “Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool” (Psalm 110:1). He has taken His place as man where man never was before, and He is also glorified with the glory which He had before the world was, besides the glory which He graciously shares with His saints (John 17:5,22).