A Present Application of Christ's Ascension

Jesus told Mary to tell his disciples, 'I ascend." He speaks of that as present which was surely to be. So, we should think of our future state as if we were presently to go to heaven. Faith has this force, to make things to come present. If we could keep it in us, and exercise it, could we live in any sin? But that it is distant, that is the cause of sinning. We put off things in a distance. If it be at the day of judgment, that is far off; and therefore, they will not leave their present pleasure for that which is coming they know not when. But look on things in the word of a God who is Jehovah, who gives being to all, who has spoken of things to come as if present, and then you will be of another mind. Faith is the privilege of a Christian, which makes things far off present. Believe God on his word, that these things shall be. Another man lives all by sense; but the Christian will trust God on his word.
We must not think of the ascension of Christ as a severed thing from us, but if we would have the comfort of it, we must think of it as ourselves ascending with him. Think of Christ as a surety for us, and then we will have great comfort in that, that he said, 'I ascend.' God prepared paradise before he made the creatures. He would have him to come into a place of honour and pleasure. And so, God, before ever we were born, provided a place and paradise for us in heaven, that we might end our days with greater comfort. We may be in duress here. Many a good Christian has scarce a place to lay his head; but Christ is gone to prepare a place for them in heaven.

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Richard Sibbes 'Refreshment for the Soul.'
A Heavenly Conference, pp. 77-78
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