Jesus' Intercession for Believers in Heaven Today
Jesus Christ's intercession for believers is a central aspect of his priestly office, which began with his self-sacrifice and continues perpetually in heaven [1]. This ongoing intercession is understood as Christ appearing in the presence of God on behalf of his followers [1].
While on earth, Jesus demonstrated this intercessory role, as seen in his prayer for those who crucified him ("Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do" Luke 23:34 KJV) and his extensive prayer for his disciples and all future believers recorded in John 17 [1, 7]. In this prayer, Jesus specifically asks for spiritual blessings, their preservation from sin, enablement for their duties, and their safe arrival in heaven, rather than worldly riches or status [8]. He prays for the unity, peace, love, and eternal glory of his followers [7].
The basis for Christ's heavenly intercession is his "all-perfect sacrifice" [1]. This advocacy ensures the fulfillment of God's promises to believers [1]. The Apostle Paul encourages believers to "strive together with me in your prayers to God for me" (Romans 15:30 KJV), emphasizing the communal aspect of prayer, which is rooted in the love the Holy Spirit kindles among believers [6].
The concept of Christ's intercession is closely tied to his current heavenly ministry. He is depicted as being in heaven, where he appears before God for believers (Hebrews 9:12, 24) [1]. This heavenly realm is often described in scripture with imagery of precious materials and divine presence, such as the new heavens and new earth, and the New Jerusalem, where God dwells with humanity [2, 3, 4, 5]. In this new creation, God and the Lamb are the temple and light [4]. The vision of the new heaven and earth, and the New Jerusalem, serves to encourage persecuted Christians by presenting a future of holy perfection and a renewed community fashioned by God [5].
Christ's intercession is a continuous function of his priesthood, ensuring that believers receive the grace and blessings necessary for their spiritual journey and ultimate salvation [1, 7].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Intercession of Christ — Christ's priestly office consists of these two parts, (1) the offering up of himself as a sacrifice, and (2) making continual intercession for us. When on earth he made intercession for his people (Luke 23:34; John 17:20; Heb. 5:7); but now he exercises this function of his priesthood in heaven, where he is said to appear in the presence of God for us (Heb. 9:12, 24). His advocacy with the Father for his people rests on the basis of his own all-perfect sacrifice. Thus he pleads for and obtains the fulfilment of all the promises of the everlas”
- 2 Peter (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Peter 3:13: 3:13 the new heavens and new earth: See Isa 65:17; 66:22; Rev 21.”
- Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 21:21: 21:21 Things that are precious and luxurious on earth are common building materials in heaven.”
- Revelation (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Revelation 21 (introduction): The new heaven and the new earth, Rev 21:1. The new Jerusalem, Rev 21:2. God dwells with men; the happy state of his followers, Rev 21:3-7. The wretched state of the ungodly, Rev 21:8. An angel shows John the holy city, the New Jerusalem, Rev 21:9, Rev 21:10. Her light, wall, gates, and foundations, described, Rev 21:11-21. God and the Lamb are the temple and light of it, Rev 21:22, Rev 21:23. The nations and kings of the earth bring their glory and honor to it; the gates shall never be shut, nor shall any defilement enter into it, Rev 21:24-27.”
- Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 21:1: 21:1–22:9 The final scenes of the new heaven and earth are striking pictures of a new community and home for God’s people that is fashioned and given by God. These scenes help to lift the spirits of persecuted Christians. John lays out his basic vision (21:1-8) and follows it with two expansions: (1) In 21:9-27, he presents the new Jerusalem as the site of holy perfection; (2) in 22:1-5, he describes the new Jerusalem as the ultimate Garden of Eden that Adam and Eve could have experienced had they not sinned. 21:1 The vision involves God’s creation of the new ”
- Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 15:30: Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit--or, "by the Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love of the Spirit"--not the love which the Spirit bears to us, but that love which He kindles in the hearts of believers towards each other; that is "By that Saviour whose name is alike dear to all of us and whose unsearchable riches I live only to proclaim, and by that love one to another which the blessed Spirit diffuses through all the brotherhood, making the labors of Christ's servants a matter of common interes”
- John (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on John 17:20: III. Our Lord's Prayer for His Church, and for All Who Would Believe on His Name, Through the Preaching of the Apostles and Their Successor. Joh 17:20-26. See on Joh 17:1 (note). Neither pray I for these alone - This prayer extends itself through all ages, and takes in every soul that believes in the Lord Jesus. And what is it that Christ asks in behalf of his followers? The greatest of blessings: unity, peace, love, and eternal glory.”
- John (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on John 17:11: After the general pleas with which Christ recommended his disciples to his Father's care follow the particular petitions he puts up for them; and, 1. They all relate to spiritual blessings in heavenly things. He does not pray that they might be rich and great in the world, that they might raise estates and get preferments, but that they might be kept from sin, and furnished for their duty, and brought safely to heaven. Note, The prosperity of the soul is the best prosperity; for what relates to this Christ came to purchase and bestow, and so teaches us to seek, in ”