One-on-One Activities With Jesus in Heaven
While the Bible does not explicitly detail "one-on-one activities" with Jesus in heaven, it offers insights into the nature of the believer's relationship with Christ in the afterlife, emphasizing communion and shared glory. The ascension of Jesus into heaven is a foundational aspect of this understanding, as he was "taken into heaven, where he will remain 'until the time for the final restoration of all things'" [6].
The New Testament consistently portrays Christ as being in heaven, seated at the right hand of God [3, 9]. This position signifies his glory and dominion [9]. Believers are encouraged to "seek the things that are above, where Christ is" [3]. The expectation for followers of Christ is to join him in this heavenly realm. Jesus himself promised to return from heaven in the same way he ascended, and he has gone to prepare a place for his followers [5].
The concept of "communion of saints" extends to those in heaven [4]. This communion is described as being with God and with each other [4]. While specific individual activities are not outlined, the overarching theme is one of intimate fellowship with God and Christ. John 17:20-21, often cited in discussions of the communion of saints, speaks of the unity Christ desires for his followers, a unity that reflects his own with the Father [4]. First John 1:3 further states that "our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ."
Early Christian thinkers, such as Augustine, understood Christ's presence in heaven as a present reality, even when he spoke of it while still on earth, due to the "oneness of person, wherein God is at once man, and man God" [7]. Tertullian also spoke of believers being "caught up in the clouds to meet Christ in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord" [8]. This suggests a perpetual presence with Christ.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ is also described as being with the spirit of believers [1]. This ongoing spiritual connection, even before physical entry into heaven, foreshadows a deeper, more complete communion. The ultimate hope is for relief and revelation with the Lord Jesus from heaven [2].
Sources
- Philemon “Philemon 1:25 (NASB) — The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.”
- II Thessalonians “II Thessalonians 1:7 (LITV) — and to give you, those being troubled, relief with us at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from Heaven with angels of His power,”
- Colossians “Colossians 3:1 (ASV) — If then ye were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Communion of Saints — According to the prayer of Christ -- Joh 17:20,21. Is with God. -- 1Jo 1:3. Saints in heaven. -- Heb 12:22-24. Each other. -- Ga 2:9; 1Jo 1:3,7. God marks, with his approval -- Mal 3:16. Christ is present in -- Mt 18:20. In public and social worship -- Ps 34:3; 55:14; Ac 1:14; Heb 10:25. In the Lord's supper -- 1Co 10:17. In holy conversation -- Mal 3:16. In prayer for each other -- 2Co 1:11; Eph 6:18. In exhortation -- Col 3:16; Heb 10:25. In mutual comfort and edification -- 1Th 4:18; 5:11. In mutual sympathy and kindness -- Ro 12:15; Eph 4:32”
- Acts (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Acts 1:11: 1:11 Jesus promised to return from heaven in the same way (see Matt 24:30; Mark 13:26; John 14:3). Jesus has gone to heaven to prepare the place for his followers (John 12:26; 14:1-4; 2 Cor 5:4; Phil 3:21; Heb 6:20).”
- Acts (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Acts 1:6: 1:6-11 Jesus’ ascent into heaven (see also Luke 24:50-53) took place on the Mount of Olives (Acts 1:12; Luke 24:50). It was Jesus’ last physical appearance—he was taken into heaven, where he will remain “until the time for the final restoration of all things” (Acts 3:21).”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 7: Augustine — Homilies on John — CHAPTER XVII. 24-26. (part 3): "where I am," to let us understand that He was soon to ascend into heaven, so that He spake of Himself as being already there, where He was presently to be. He could do so also in the same way as He had said on a former occasion, when speaking to Nicodemus, "No man ascendeth into heaven, save He that came down from heaven, even the Son of man who is in heaven."(3) For there also He did not say, Will be, but "is," because of the oneness of person, wherein God is at once man, and man God. He promised, therefore, that we s”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 4: Tertullian IV, Minucius Felix, Commodian, Origen — CHAP. XI.--ON COUNTER PROMISES.[7] (part 7): And again he says, "We shall be caught up in the clouds to meet Christ in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord."[3] 6. We are therefore to suppose that the saints will remain there until they recognise the twofold mode of government in those things which are performed in the air. And when I say "twofold mode," I mean this: When we were upon earth, we saw either animals or trees, and beheld the differences among them, and also the very great diversity among men; but although we s”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 134: § 3. Sitting at the Right Hand of God. This is the next step in the exaltation of our Lord. He rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God; that is, was associated with Him in glory and dominion. The subject of this exaltation was the Theanthropos, not the Logos specially or distinctively; not the human nature exclusively; but the theanthropic person. When a man is exalted it is not the soul in distinction from the body; nor the body in distinction from the soul, but the whole person. The ground of Chr”