The exaltation of Jesus Christ is a central theme in Christian theology, reflecting His divine nature, victorious resurrection, and ascension to the right hand of God. This exaltation is a testament to His authority, glory, and the fulfillment of His redemptive work.

Resurrection and Ascension

The exaltation of Jesus begins with His resurrection from the dead, a pivotal event that signifies His victory over sin and death. As recorded in the Gospels, Jesus rose on the third day after His crucifixion, affirming His divine power and the truth of His teachings. In Matthew 28:6 , the angel declares, "He is not here; He has risen, just as He said." The resurrection is not only a demonstration of Jesus' power but also a promise of eternal life for believers.

Following His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples and many others over a period of forty days, providing them with final teachings and instructions. His ascension into heaven marks the next phase of His exaltation. In Acts 1:9 , it is written, "After He had said this, they watched as He was taken up, and a cloud hid Him from their sight." The ascension signifies Jesus' return to His heavenly glory and His enthronement at the right hand of the Father.

Seated at the Right Hand of God

The position of Jesus at the right hand of God is a powerful symbol of His authority and honor. This imagery is rooted in the Old Testament, where the right hand is often associated with power and favor. In Hebrews 1:3 , it is stated, "After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high." This seating indicates the completion of His redemptive work and His ongoing role as intercessor for humanity.

King of Kings and Lord of Lords

The exaltation of Jesus also encompasses His recognition as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. This title reflects His supreme authority over all creation and His ultimate victory over all powers and principalities. In Revelation 19:16 , it is proclaimed, "And He has a name written on His robe and on His thigh: King of kings and Lord of lords." This exalted status is a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and a declaration of His eternal reign.

Every Knee Shall Bow

The universal acknowledgment of Jesus' lordship is a key aspect of His exaltation. Philippians 2:9-11 beautifully captures this truth: "Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." This passage emphasizes the ultimate recognition of Jesus' authority by all creation, both in the present age and in the age to come.

Mediator and High Priest

In His exalted state, Jesus serves as the mediator between God and humanity. As the High Priest, He continually intercedes for believers, offering His own righteousness on their behalf. Hebrews 4:14-16 highlights this role: "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we profess." His exaltation ensures that believers have access to the throne of grace and the assurance of His ongoing presence and support.

The Return in Glory

The exaltation of Jesus is not only a present reality but also points to His future return in glory. The New Testament affirms that Jesus will come again to judge the living and the dead, establishing His kingdom in its fullness. In Matthew 24:30 , Jesus Himself declares, "At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory." This anticipated return is the culmination of His exaltation and the hope of all believers.Psalm 2:8,9
Ask of me, and I shall give you the heathen for your inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession.
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Psalm 24:7-10
Lift up your heads, O you gates; and be you lift up, you everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
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Psalm 68:18
You have ascended on high, you have led captivity captive: you have received gifts for men; yes, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.
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Mark 16:19
So then after the Lord had spoken to them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
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Luke 22:69
Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.
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Luke 24:26
Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?
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John 7:39
(But this spoke he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
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John 13:31,32
Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.
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John 17:5
And now, O Father, glorify you me with your own self with the glory which I had with you before the world was.
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Acts 2:33,34
Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he has shed forth this, which you now see and hear.
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Acts 3:20,21
And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached to you:
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Acts 5:31
Him has God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
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Acts 7:55,56
But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
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Romans 8:17,34
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
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Ephesians 1:20
Which he worked in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
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Ephesians 4:8,10
Why he said, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.
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Philippians 2:9-11
Why God also has highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
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Colossians 2:15
And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
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Colossians 3:1
If you then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God.
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1 Timothy 3:16
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached to the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
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Hebrews 1:3
Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:
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Hebrews 2:9
But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
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Hebrews 4:10,14
For he that is entered into his rest, he also has ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
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Hebrews 6:20
Where the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
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Hebrews 7:26
For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
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Hebrews 8:1
Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
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Hebrews 9:12,24
Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
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Hebrews 10:12,13
But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
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Hebrews 12:2
Looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
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1 Peter 3:22
Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject to him.
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Christ's Exaltation
... the Godhead was not lower; so in his exaltation, the Godhead ... I. God has exalted Christ
in his titles ... The name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.' He is a Lord in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/7 christs exaltation.htm

The Exaltation of Christ
... Christ Jesus is; for he is a man, even as we are: and he is no less and no more
man ... Surely, when we feel we are related to Christ, his exaltation is the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the exaltation of christ.htm

The Holy Spirit in the Glorified Christ.
... received of My Father." The apostles declare again and again not only that Jesus
was raised ... The work of the Holy Spirit in the exaltation of Christ is not ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxiii the holy spirit in.htm

Part 1 Christ's Humiliation, Exaltation, and Triumph. Phil. 2:8,9 ...
... 2:15. LM Christ's humiliation, exaltation, and triumph. Phil.2:8,9; Mark
15:20,24,29; Col.2:15. ... Proclaim inimitable love: Jesus, the Lord of worlds above,. ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/hymn 37 part 1 christs.htm

The People's Christ
... You will observe I have omitted that exaltation which Christ is to ... But I believe
Jesus Christ is to come upon the throne of judgment, "and before him ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the peoples christ.htm

The Mind which was in Christ Jesus. Rev. George Wood.
... exaltation; and exhorts them to imitate the Saviour's humility, that they might
share His triumph. "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.". ...
/.../king/the wesleyan methodist pulpit in malvern/the mind which was in.htm

Joy and Faith, the Fruits of Christ's Departure
... Christ's going is Christ's coming, and Christ's going is Christ's exaltation, and
for ... runs through the whole chapter, that the departure of Jesus Christ is in ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/joy and faith the fruits.htm

On the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
... We celebrate to-day the Exaltation of the Holy Cross; but it is impossible to ... that
is by the bitter Sorrow and sharp Suffering of our Lord Jesus Christ; for He ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/sermon xxii on the exaltation.htm

Christ Exalted
... We must consider the exaltation of Christ in heaven as being in some degree a
representative exaltation. Christ Jesus exalted at the Father's right hand ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/christ exalted.htm

The Doctrine of Jesus Christ.
... B. THE WORK OF CHRIST. 1. HIS DEATH. 2. HIS RESURRECTION. 3. HIS ASCENSION AND
EXALTATION. THE DOCTRINE OF JESUS CHRIST. A. THE PERSON OF CHRIST. ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrine of jesus christ.htm

Who is Jesus Christ? | GotQuestions.org

Is there power in the name of Jesus? | GotQuestions.org

Is Jesus God? Did Jesus ever claim to be God? | GotQuestions.org

Jesus: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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