What is Jesus doing in Heaven?

Christ’s Exaltation in the Heavenly Realm

Jesus, having ascended bodily into Heaven following His resurrection, occupies a place of incomparable honor. As recorded in Mark 16:19, “He was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.” This seating at God’s right hand signals supreme authority and vindication of His redemptive work. It also sets the stage for His ongoing ministry on behalf of those who trust in Him.

Seated at the Right Hand of Power

Scripture repeatedly affirms that Jesus is enthroned in Heaven. Paul writes, “God raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 1:20). This enthronement indicates that Jesus now reigns with power and majesty over all creation. Referencing Psalm 110:1, the New Testament writers highlight that the exaltation of Christ fulfills Messianic prophecy.

In the wider historical record, early manuscripts of the Gospels and ancient sources such as the writings of the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus attest to the crucifixion and the post-crucifixion worship of Jesus. These confirmations strengthen the credibility of the biblical narrative that Jesus rose from the dead and ascended in bodily form.

High Priest and Mediator

Unlike earthly priests, His priesthood is eternal. Hebrews refers to Jesus as “a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek” (Hebrews 7:17). Building on Old Testament themes, the Book of Hebrews explains that He is continually acting in a priestly role for believers.

• A Perfect Sacrifice Fulfilled: Whereas the Levitical priests offered repeated sacrifices (Hebrews 10:11), Jesus offered Himself “once for all” (Hebrews 7:27). After completing this perfect sacrifice, He sat down in Heaven to demonstrate the finality of His atoning work.

• Ongoing Mediation: Jesus serves as “the mediator of a new covenant” (Hebrews 9:15). In this role, He continually stands as the believer’s representative before God’s throne, ensuring open fellowship between humanity and God.

Intercession for Believers

Romans 8:34 states, “Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is interceding for us.” This intercession is a profound comfort. It assures believers that Jesus actively presents their needs and petitions before the Father.

• Advocacy in Spiritual Struggles: In 1 John 2:1, Jesus is called “an Advocate with the Father,” underscoring His representation of believers when they struggle with sin or require grace.

• Encouragement and Transformation: His intercessory work also aligns with the Holy Spirit’s ministry of strengthening and transforming followers of Christ. This synergy evidences the triune nature of God, as taught in the New Testament.

Ruler of All and Head of the Church

From Heaven, Jesus rules over all creation and is specifically recognized as the head of the Church. In Ephesians 1:22, it says, “God put everything under His feet and made Him head over everything for the church.” Equipping and uniting believers worldwide, He empowers them through the Holy Spirit to fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18–20).

The historical expansion of the Christian faith from the earliest centuries to the present day frequently cites this spiritual authority. Missionaries and Christian communities throughout time have obeyed what they regard as His divine directive, leading to numerous reports of transformation, miracles, and changed lives.

Preparation of an Eternal Dwelling Place

Jesus promised, “In My Father’s house are many rooms… I am going there to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2). This promise brings hope that those who trust in Him will dwell with Him eternally.

• A Personal, Ongoing Ministry: The phrase “I am going there to prepare a place” implies ongoing divine activity. Jesus, as Lord of Heaven, orchestrates the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan for redeemed humanity.

• Hope in Future Restoration: This heavenly preparation underlines the biblical teaching of ultimate restoration, when believers will experience a renewed creation (Revelation 21:1–4).

Continuous Sanctifying Influence

While reigning in Heaven, Jesus exercises a ministry that shapes and grows His followers. Scripture teaches that believers are conformed “to the likeness of His Son” (Romans 8:29).

• Spiritual Maturity: By the Holy Spirit, Jesus guides His people into a deeper understanding of truth (John 16:13). This influence is not abstract; countless testimonies detail moral endurance, forgiveness, and love that believers credit to His active presence.

• Refining of the Church: The ongoing transformation of the global Church has been evident through historical revival movements and changed cultures, often accompanied by accounts of unexpected healing or deliverances that Christians view as credible miracles from God.

Execution of Divine Judgment

Acts 10:42 calls Him “the One appointed by God to judge the living and the dead.” As the sovereign King, Jesus not only intercedes for believers but will also judge His creation in righteousness.

• Harmonizing Love and Justice: The Scriptures depict a God of both love and holiness. Jesus’ role as judge reflects the perfection of God’s justice, ensuring wrongs are addressed and righteousness vindicated.

• Future Fulfillment: Nothing in Scripture suggests this responsibility is delegated solely to a distant future. Even now, He reigns with awareness of every human choice, orchestrating events toward the eventual final judgment that will usher in the new heavens and new earth.

Orchestrating the Consummation of All Things

In Ephesians 1:9–10, we read that God’s plan centers on “bringing all things in heaven and on earth together in Christ.” Jesus guides history toward this climax.

• Sovereign Over Time: Biblical genealogies, supported by various dating methods and archaeological finds that align with Scripture’s cultural and historical references, point to a consistent timeline in the Bible. These findings bolster confidence that Jesus is orchestrating events according to a sovereign plan.

• The Grand Restoration: Revelation 21–22 describes a final state where God’s dwelling is with humanity, free from pain and death. Jesus presides over the unfolding of these events, demonstrated by the heavenly scenes in Revelation 5, where He alone is found worthy to open the scroll and enact God’s declarations upon the world.

Awaiting His Return in Glory

While He is active and enthroned, the New Testament also emphasizes that Jesus will visibly return to Earth at the appointed time. Acts 1:11 states, “This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you saw Him go into heaven.”

• Final Redemption: At His return, Jesus will fully actualize the redemption of believers, raising them unto eternal life in a glorified state (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17).

• Motivation for Readiness: The reality that He will return in the same manner encourages believers to remain steadfast, committed, and hopeful. This anticipation shapes Christian conduct, moral decision-making, and worship.

Implications for Everyday Faith

1. Confidence in Prayer: Because Jesus actively intercedes, individuals can approach God with confidence (Hebrews 4:16).

2. Hope in Trials: Trials and suffering are endured with the assurance that Christ is aware of all difficulties and is able to bring comfort.

3. Mission and Witness: Recognizing His ongoing reign compels believers to share their faith and serve others, believing that He orchestrates circumstances and softens hearts.

Supporting Historical and Scriptural Foundations

• Documentary Evidence: Early New Testament manuscripts, such as Papyrus 52 (dating to the early second century), display remarkable textual consistency. This lends weight to the trustworthiness of verses describing Jesus’ heavenly activity.

• Archaeological Corroborations: Sites like the Garden Tomb and ancient inscriptions referencing Pontius Pilate and other biblical figures align with the historical record found in Scripture. These discoveries do not merely prove spiritual truths but do reinforce the credibility of biblical chronology.

• Miraculous Interventions Today: From regions in the world reporting dramatic healings to anecdotal cases of unexplained recoveries, many attribute these to Christ’s continuing lordship from Heaven. While scientific study seeks natural explanations, believers point to these events as consistent with God’s active involvement in creation.

Conclusion

Jesus is not passive in Heaven; rather, He is enthroned in majesty, exercising rule over creation, continually interceding, advocating as the High Priest for those who believe, preparing an everlasting dwelling place, orchestrating the ultimate fulfillment of God’s plan, and awaiting the appointed time of His glorious return.

These truths, woven throughout Scripture, offer profound hope, assurance, and motivation for believers to persevere. For those open to exploring the reliability of the Bible, evidence from archaeology, manuscript testimony, and historical accounts present compelling reasons to trust the biblical narrative about Jesus, His resurrection, and His current activity in Heaven.