Ascension (Part 2)

Photo by Ashley Bean on Unsplash

Ephesians 4:9 “(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?” The word “Ascended” refers to Jesus’ ascension from earth to heaven (Acts 1:9-11), where He forever reigns with His Father. The scriptures tells us, that before Jesus "Ascended" He also "Descended" “Into the lower parts of the earth”: This is, in contrast to the highest heavens to which He afterward ascended (Psalm 139:8, 15; Isa. 44:23). The phrase here does not point to a specific place, but to the great depth or place, between His crucifixion and resurrection beyond the earth, the grave, and death, into the very pit of the demons, (hell or Sheol) “the spirits in prison”.

Before the death of Christ, both the lost and the saved went to Hades (Hebrew Sheol) although it was divided into the place of torments and the paradise of God (also called Abrahams bosom, (Remember Lazrus and the Rich Man) Luke 16:19-31). Jesus hung on the cross, He consoled the penitent thief that he would be in paradise with Christ on that day. One of the accomplishments of the Resurrection was to lead “captivity captive,” that is, to remove Old Testament saints from Abraham’s bosom (Hades) and lead them to heaven. When a Christian dies today, he goes immediately into the presence of God (Phil. 1:23). Also see Psalm 16:10: “For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.” This is speaking of the time after Jesus had completed payment and fufilment of the law on the cross. Victory over death and the grave, was achieved on the cross. There was nothing else to pay. When Jesus said; it is finished, it meant just that. The law had been completely fulfilled; there was no more suffering to do. Jesus deliberately went into Sheol to preach, and bring out the captives with Him. He had already defeated Satan, but Satan had to turn over the keys to hell and death. This does not refer to preaching the gospel but to making a triumphant announcement, in this case Christ’s announcement of His victory over the demons even while they tried to hold Him in death. What a Mighty God we Serve!