Whether Christ Ascended Above All the Heavens?
Objection 1: It would seem that Christ did not ascend above all the
heavens, for it is written (Ps. 10:5): "The Lord is in His holy
temple, the Lord's throne is in heaven." But what is in heaven is not
above heaven. Therefore Christ did not ascend above all the heavens.
Obj. 2: [*This objection with its solution is omitted in the Leonine
edition as not being in the original manuscript.]
Further, there is no place above the heavens, as is proved in _De
Coelo_ i. But every body must occupy a place. Therefore Christ's body
did not ascend above all the heavens.
Obj. 3: Further, two bodies cannot occupy the same place. Since,
then, there is no passing from place to place except through the
middle space, it seems that Christ could not have ascended above all
the heavens unless heaven were divided; which is impossible.
Obj. 4: Further, it is narrated (Acts 1:9) that "a cloud received Him
out of their sight." But clouds cannot be uplifted beyond heaven.
Consequently, Christ did not ascend above all the heavens.
Obj. 5: Further, we believe that Christ will dwell for ever in the
place whither He has ascended. But what is against nature cannot last
for ever, because what is according to nature is more prevalent and
of more frequent occurrence. Therefore, since it is contrary to
nature for an earthly body to be above heaven, it seems that Christ's
body did not ascend above heaven.
_On the contrary,_ It is written (Eph. 4:10): "He ascended above all
the heavens that He might fill all things."
_I answer that,_ The more fully anything corporeal shares in the
Divine goodness, the higher its place in the corporeal order, which
is order of place. Hence we see that the more formal bodies are
naturally the higher, as is clear from the Philosopher (Phys. iv; De
Coelo ii), since it is by its form that every body partakes of the
Divine Essence, as is shown in Physics i. But through glory the body
derives a greater share in the Divine goodness than any other natural
body does through its natural form; while among other glorious bodies
it is manifest that Christ's body shines with greater glory. Hence it
was most fitting for it to be set above all bodies. Thus it is that
on Eph. 4:8: "Ascending on high," the gloss says: "in place and
dignity."
Reply Obj. 1: God's seat is said to be in heaven, not as though
heaven contained Him, but rather because it is contained by Him.
Hence it is not necessary for any part of heaven to be higher, but
for Him to be above all the heavens; according to Ps. 8:2: "For Thy
magnificence is elevated above the heavens, O God!"