NIV 365 / Where is Jesus Now?

The NIV 365-Day Devotional Reading Plan

Day 305 of 365 Where Is Jesus Now? Acts 7:55 records that the dying martyr Stephen had a vision of Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Ironically, Saul/Paul was present and rejected Stephen's words, giving approval for Stephen's death (see Acts 8:1). Later, however, Paul accepted Stephen's words and, in a letter to Timothy, declared that Jesus "was taken up in glory" (1 Timothy 3:16). Old Testament prophecies also indicated that the Messiah would reign in heaven. The promised Son of God would ascend into heaven (see Psalm 68:18) and reign over all his enemies (see Psalm 110:1). Strong evidence can be found in Jesus' own words. In Mark 14:62 Jesus stated that the "Son of Man," a term he often used to refer to himself (see, for example, Mark 2:10,28), would sit at the right hand of God. In Matthew 19:28 he told his disciples, "At the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." Jesus also told his disciples he was going to his "Father's house" - heaven - to prepare a place for them (see John 14:1 - 4). Further, the disciples themselves witnessed the resurrected Jesus ascend to heaven, reinforcing all that Jesus had told them (see Luke 24:51; Acts 1:9 - 11). The Bible consistently teaches that Jesus is now in heaven, seated at God's right hand (see, for example, Romans 8:34; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 1:3; 1 Peter 3:21 - 22). That right-hand position symbolizes his equality with God, which includes divine authority, glory and power. Taken from The Case for Christ Study Bible 1 Timothy 3:16 1 Timothy 3:16 KJV 16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.