Visions of Heaven/Visions of Those in the Invisible Heavens

JESUS IS WITH GOD

"[The Christian disciple Stephen], being full of holy spirit, gazed into the heaven and caught sight of God's glory and of Jesus standing at the right hand, and he said:  'Look! I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at God's right hand.' "-Acts 7:55, 56. 

Shortly before Stephen had this vision, Jesus was put to death at the instigation of the very ones whom Stephen was addressing-the Jewish leaders.  The vision confirmed that Jesus was alive and that he had been resurrected and honored.  About this, the apostle Paul wrote:  "[Jehovah] raised [Jesus] up from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above every government and authority and power and lordship and every name that is named, not only in this system of things but also in that one to come." -Ephesians 1:20, 21.  

In addition to describing his lofty position, the Scriptures show that Jesus, like Jehovah, cares deeply for humans. During his ministry on earth, Jesus healed the sick, cured the infirm, and raised the dead.  By his sacrificial death, he demonstrated his deep love for God and for mankind.  (Ephesians 2:4, 5)  Standing at God's right hand, Jesus will soon exercise his authority and bring great blessings to obedient humans everywhere. 

Next time: Visions of Heaven/Visions of Those in the Invisible Heavens - ANGELS MINISTER TO GOD

From the Watchtower magazine