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I. PROVE THE TRUTH OF THIS DOCTRINE — that Christ is gone up, or ascended.

1. This was typified under the Old Testament by the ark, which continued in a wandering, uncertain condition, as to the place of its abode, till it was taken up to Mount Zion and fixed in the holy of holies.

2. This was foretold by the prophet (Psalm 110:1).

3. This is evident from the testimony of famous witnesses (Acts 1:11; Acts 7:55, 56).

4. This is confirmed from many texts of Scripture (Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 4:14; Hebrews 8:1; Hebrews 12:2).

5. This appears from the glorious fruits and consequences of His actual accession to the throne of glory, which have appeared in the open view of all mankind.

II. SHOW WHAT IS IMPORTED IN THIS EXPRESSION OF HIS GOING UP.

1. His voluntary humiliation (John 3:13).

2. His incarnation, or assumption of man's nature.

3. That He had ended or finished the work or service for which He came down into this lower world.

4. His resurrection from the dead, whereby He was justified as the Head and Surety of an elect world, and declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness.

5. That the gates of glory, which had been shut, were again opened by the death and satisfaction of Christ.

6. That God the Father is perfectly well pleased with the person and undertaking of our glorious Redeemer; for, if He had not been well pleased, how could He give Him such a solemn reception after His work was done?

7. That when Christ ascended, after finishing our redemption, He was received into heaven with the universal applause and admiration of the triumphant company.

III. SPEAK OF THE SOLEMNITY OF CHRIST'S ASCENSION.

1. The place from whence He went up. This world, where He had met with such bad entertainment.

2. Whither He is gone up. He is gone up into the third heavens, where no unclean thing can enter; and the heavens are to contain Him till the time of the restitution of all things.

3. To whom He is gone up (John 20:17). Oh! what an infinite satisfaction would it be to Him to return to His Father, to be possessed of that glory that He had with Him before the world was!

4. Through what region, and through whose territories he went up.

5. His levee or retinue that attended Him when He went up. This seems to be pointed at (Psalm 68:17).

6. The spoils and trophies He carried along with Him when He went up.

(1)  The head of the old serpent.

(2)  The keys of the grave (Revelation 1:18).

(3)  The debt bond that we were owing to justice, retired and cancelled (Colossians 2:14).

(4)  The broken law repaired, yea, magnified and made honourable by His obedience unto death.

(5)  The keys of the house of David, i.e. an absolute dominion, sovereignty and headship over His Church, and over all creatures for the Church's sake (Isaiah 22:22).

7. With respect to the solemnity of Christ's ascension, we may consider that He went up with a shout. Who were they that gave the shout? We read of nothing but a deep and silent gazing after Him as He went up from this lower world (Acts 1:9-11); where, then, was the shouting? In the Church triumphant, among an innumerable company of angels, and the spirits of just man made perfect: these sons of God shouted for joy when they saw their glorious Head of redemption and confirmation coming in personally among them. What kind of shouts were among that triumphant company when the Lord Jesus went up to His throne and kingdom?

(1)  A shout of approbation.

(2)  A shout of joy and gladness (Revelation 19:7).

(3)  A shout of praise and gratitude (Revelation 5:9).

(4)  A shout of admiration and adoration among the triumphant company.

(5)  A shout of victory and triumph among the heavenly crowd.

IV. SHOW WHAT THERE IS IN THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST THAT AFFORDS SUCH GROUND OF TRIUMPH.

1. God is gone up with a shout, as our forerunner, to open the way to glory, and to make a report of what was done in the days of His humiliation upon this earth (Hebrews 6:20).

2. He has gone up as a victorious general to receive a triumph after the battle.

3. He is gone up as a bridegroom to prepare a lodging for His bride, and to make suitable provision for her against the day of the consummation of the marriage (John 14:2, 3).

4. God is gone up with a shout in our nature, as "the great high priest of our profession" (Hebrews 4:14; Hebrews 9:12; Hebrews 10:21, 22).

5. God is gone up in our nature as "our Advocate with the Father" (1 John 2:1).

6. God is gone up as our exalted King.

7. He is gone up to Mount Zion above, as the great Shepherd, to look after His sheep that are wandering in the wilderness.

8. He is gone up as our glorious Representative to take possession of the inheritance of eternal life, until his fellow-heirs, all believers whom He represents, follow Him.

V. USES.

1. Of information.

(1) See hence that the ignominy of the Cross of Christ is fully wiped away.

(2) See hence that none need to think themselves dishonoured by suffering the hardest things for His sake.

(3) See hence how little reason believers have to be disquieted because of the confusions of this lower world; even though heaven and earth were mingling, and seas roaring. Why, God is gone up with a shout: He governs the world for the Church's sake, and therefore nothing can go wrong, "no weapon formed against Zion shall prosper."(4) See hence the parallel or similitude between Christ's ascension and His coming to judgment.

2. Of trials.

(1) Have you received His Spirit? He is a holy Spirit, a praying Spirit, a Spirit of life and liberty, a public Spirit in a time of defection; when the house of Christ is turned into a den of thieves, the zeal of His house will eat you up.

(2) Your hearts will be frequently mounting up on high after Him, as upon eagle's wings.

3. Of consolation.

(1) Thou shall follow Him ere long.

(2) Thou shall not want the gifts, graces and influences of the Spirit to bear you up, and to carry you through in the work and service that He has for you upon earth.

(3) Here is comfort under all the glooms and frowns of men in the world for owning Christ, His cause, His kingdom, His truths, His ways and people.

(4) Here is comfort against the fear of the "roaring lion, who goes about seeking whom he may devour."(5):Here is comfort; all the angels in heaven are upon thy side, believer, all the armies of heaven are ready to fight the quarrel of His Church.

(6) Here is comfort; death is disarmed of its sting, and can do no hurt. Why, Christ carried the sting of death, and the armour of this king of terrors with Him when He went up with a shout. "I have the keys of hell and of death."(7) Here is comfort; thy life is well secured, believer. Why, it is hid in Him who is gone up with a shout (Colossians 3:3).

(8) Here is comfort, that all providential dispensations in the world are working together for thy good.

4. Of exhortation.

(1) Behold Him with the eye of faith upon the throne.

(2) Lift up the everlasting doors of your hearts, that this King of glory may come in.

(3) Come with boldness unto the throne of grace.

(4) Let all the world, angels, men and devils, reverence Him and do Him homage.

(5) See that you have a due regard to the laws and liberties of His house, and the interests of His glory and kingdom.

(6) Is He gone up with a shout? Then let us never be ashamed of Him before men, for He is our credit and ornament; He is not ashamed to confess us before His Father, and before His angels.

(7) Let us join in the solemnity of His exaltation, for it is not yet ended. They that shouted when He went first up to heaven from Mount Olivet are shouting for joy to this day, and therefore let us join in the concert.

(E. Erskine.)

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KJV: God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.

WEB: God has gone up with a shout, Yahweh with the sound of a trumpet.