Apostles Creed, #18

Continuing in the Apostles Creed... I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord: who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and buried; He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead;

"He ascended into heaven,"

The Jesus I trust in was exalted even beyond His bodily resurrection. He came from heaven to atone for our sins, and after he had completed that great work on the cross and had displayed His victory with His resurrection, He returned to His Father.

Psalm 24 is one of the passages that describes the view from heaven as the glorious Son of God came home after defeating sin and death. The gates of the heavenly sanctuary were opened to our righteous Redeemer. He has purified the way for us to be with Him there through His blood. We are His willing captives, rejoicing in His glorious presence,

Psalm 24:3 Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?
And who shall stand in his holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to what is false
and does not swear deceitfully.
5 He will receive blessing from the Lord
and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6 Such is the generation of those who seek him,
who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah

7 Lift up your heads, O gates!
And be lifted up, O ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
8 Who is this King of glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty,
the Lord, mighty in battle!
9 Lift up your heads, O gates!
And lift them up, O ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
10 Who is this King of glory?
The Lord of hosts,
he is the King of glory! Selah

Psalm 68:18

You ascended on high,
leading a host of captives in your train
and receiving gifts among men,
even among the rebellious, that the Lord God may dwell there.