Ephesians 4:8-10
“Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high,
he led captivity captive,
and gave gifts unto men.
9. (Now that he ascended,
what is it
but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
10. He that descended
is the same also
that ascended up far above all heavens,
that he might fill all things.)”
A tremendous scriptural passage
I am sure you will agree,
But what definitive instruction
Does it hold for you and me?
I had read it many times
And loudly proclaimed it too
But concerning its fuller meaning,
That escaped my view.
“He led captivity captive”
This had become a cliché
And when I wanted to make a point
It was a “go to” verse to share.
It showed the power of Jesus
Who had arisen from the dead
But regarding the captivity’s identity
There was much more as well.
I have a little more grasp now
I must admit
And so, please give me a moment
To share a little bit.
I had seen the Alpha
The Creator of the World
But the Omega was taking shape
Both the same LORD!
He that ascended had to first descend
Into the lower parts of the earth,
Hence his coming that first Christmas
When heaven celebrated his birth.
A Triune implementation
And the Scriptures clearly teach it,
It was from the Father via the Son
And through the Holy Spirit.
That seed in the woman
Was of the Holy Spirit,
Not the son of Joseph
He had nothing to do with it.
The seed of the woman,
The Bible said,
Shall crush the serpent’s head
And indeed, he did!
The identity of captivity
And no doubt death and the grave
And through this imperial victory
You and I can be saved.
A show of unquestionable supremacy
And unfathomable authority
Displayed in this triumph over Satan
For you and for me.
He led captivity captive
But it is more than this,
In the establishing of his Church
To men he gave gifts.
From his incarnation
Via his crucifixion and resurrection
To his glorious ascension
And his heavenly coronation!
For he that descended is the same also
That ascended high above all heavens
And this same Jesus is our Lord
Hence, we need not feel threatened.
Psalm 68:18
Thou hast ascended on high, said the Psalmist David,
Thou hast led captivity captive:
Thou hast received gifts for men;
Yea, for the rebellious also that the Lord might dwell among them.
“What is it?” The Apostle Paul asks,
What really is the purpose?
This vanquishing of our archenemy
So regally achieved by God’s Son, Jesus?
The answer is given
And it is so crystal clear,
It was there all the time
It did not suddenly appear.
“That he might fill all things”
He who? Just in case you still do not know,
Turn to Colossians 1:15-17
Where the answer clearly shows.
Who is the image of the invisible God,
the firstborn of every creature:
16. For by him were all things created,
that are in heaven,
and that are in earth,
visible and invisible,
whether they be thrones,
or dominions,
or principalities,
or powers:
all things were created by him,
and for him:
17. And he is before all things,
and by him all things consist.
That he might fill all things
Being the Creator of all:
Jesus Christ our kinsman Redeemer
And the very Son of God!
All things were created by him
And for him:
And he is before all things,
And by him all things consist.
The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof,
The whole earth is full of his glory,
Not only the mountains and the oceans
But every pebble, every rock, every tree.
Jesus has overcome the world
And this is not in the future tense
But this is a done accomplishment
And that in every sense.
Nothing is left to be accomplished
Nothing was left to chance,
The unfolding of history will attest to this
As the Church advance.
Yes! He fills all things!
By him all things are maintained,
The sun on high cannot light up a day
Unless Jesus allows the flame.
Yes! He fills all things!
And he resides in you and me!
That’s why in the midst of the greatest storm
We can still be happy.
By whom…
Through whom…
For whom…
All things were made?
Jesus
Stewart Russell © October 25, 2021
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