1.  Jesus promised to prepare a place for His disciples, Jno. 14:2-3.

2.  What is Jesus now doing in heaven?

 

I.  JESUS IS GOD'S PROPHET TODAY. Deut. 18:15, 18

  A.  Predicted and Fulfilled. Isa. 61:1-2; Lk. 4:18-21

  B.  Jesus Spoke God's Commands. Jno. 8:26-28, 38; 12:49

  C.  We Are to Hear and Obey Him Today. Acts 3:22-23 (Matt. 17:5)

    1.  How? (He is in heaven). Yet...Jno. 13:20.

    2.  Apostles are His ambassadors, 2 Cor. 5:20 (Eph. 6:20).

        -He committed to them the "word of reconciliation", 5:19.

    3.  Once in heaven, Jesus sent them the Holy Spirit to equip them to speak the mind of God, Jno. 15:26-27; 16:12-13.

        -Events on Pentecost testify that Jesus is in heaven doing this work, Acts 2:32-33.

    4.  We must receive apostles to receive Jesus, Jno. 13:20.

      a.  Their words/writings, 1 Cor. 14:37; 2 Pet. 3:1-2.

      b.  Inspired Scriptures, 2 Tim. 3:16-17.

 

II.  HIGH PRIEST OVER THE HOUSE OF GOD. Heb. 10:21 (Zech. 6:13)

  A.  Appointed by God. Heb. 5:1-6 (Promised, Psa. 110:4)

  B.  Priestly Service for Us. Heb. 8:1-2 (3:1)

  C.  High Priest Who Offered Himself to God as the Sacrifice for Sins. Heb. 7:27; 8:1-33; 9:11-14

    1.  Mediator of a new covenant for all, Heb. 9:15; 8:6 (1 Tim. 2:5).

      a.  "one who intervenes between two, either in order to make or restore peace and friendship, or form a compact, or for ratifying a covenant" (Thayer).

      b.  Appears before God for us, Heb. 9:24-28.

    2.  The blood of Christ (death):

      a.  Ratified (dedicated) new covenant, Heb. 9:15, 16-23.

      b.  His life was an offering for sin, Heb. 10:11-14.

    3.  He constantly makes intercession "for those who come to God through Him", Heb. 7:25-26; Rom. 8:34.

    4.  We have an Advocate with the Father so that we may come to God and obtain mercy, 1 Jno. 2:1-2; Heb. 4:15-16.

 

III. JESUS IS KING OVER HEAVEN AND EARTH. Matt. 28:18

  A.  His Coronation. Dan. 7:13-14; Eph. 1:20-23

  B.  He Reigns with Expectation: All His Enemies will be Made His Footstool. Heb. 2:5-9; 10:12-13; 1 Cor. 15:25 (God's promise kept, Psa. 110:1)

    1.  The King vanquishes every foe, Psa. 110:5-7; Rev. 6:1-2.

    2.  Christ subdues His enemies, Rev. 19:11-16.

    3.  This is why we put on the whole armor of God - to be victorious over evil in Christ! Eph. 6:10-17; Rev. 17:14

  C.  The Final Enemy to be Defeated will be Death. 1 Cor. 15:25-27

      -Resurrection of all the dead, Jno. 5:28-29; 1 Cor. 15:50-58

 

Conclusion

1.  Seeing we have a...

  a.  Prophet: Do not refuse Him who speaks from heaven, Heb. 12:25.

  b.  High Priest: Hold fast our confession, Heb. 4:14.

  c.  King: Stand with Christ and be victorious, Rev. 17:14 (Eph. 6:13).

2.  If Jesus had not gone to heaven to "prepare a place for us", then we could not/would not be raised to eternal life when He comes again , Jno. 14:3.