Acts 1:6-10

The ascension of Christ was an object lesson.  It physically illustrated truths that the disciples had heard, but had not understood.  When they saw Christ rise, they opened their minds to spiritual truths that before had been beyond understanding.

1. They had been concerned about the earthly kingdom of Israel. The ascension of Christ reminded them that the heavenly kingdom is real.  Of the two kingdoms, the heavenly kingdom is eternal, but all earthly kingdoms will fade away.  We live on the earth, but our focus is heaven.
2. His ascension revealed the resurrection of His physical body was permanent. Christ had raised Lazarus from the dead, but he died again.  Christ disappeared into heaven, and He will return in the same way, He will still have a body. The resurrection He offers us is forever.
3. Once he was gone, they experienced the reality that they were alone. After having walked with him for three years, his physical presence was no longer with them.  The lost must have been overwhelming, but they had hope; he had promised that his father would give them the gift of the Holy Spirit.  For the first time they intensely experienced their need for the Holy Spirit’s presence.

These truths are still true today.  Heaven, the resurrected body, and the Holy Spirit are all real.  The reality of the Holy Spirit living within us validates our hope of a heavenly body.