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“Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?”

1 Corinthians 2:10-16 … even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God…. the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

The Mystery of Jesus Christ’s descent into hades after His death on the cross has been (for a long time) of stern discourse among believers; many a times has it led into heated debate and argument. Simply because the reality of the descent is in obscurity to many, and effortless to unravel it has made many to disagree and deny it. The truth is, even the most learned Sage will be reduced to silence if in his intellectual estate attempts to pry into unraveling the mystery of the divine descent.

Without giving due and deep reference to the living Word and the revealing power of the Holy Spirit, by reasons of books not inspired, by reasons of intellectual and presumptuous writings of scribes and theologians has some persons come to reject and deny the mysterious profound reality of the diving descent. “For no Man Knoweth the Things of God except the Spirit of God.”

DID JESUS GO TO HADES OR HELL

The Apostles’ Creed, the Athanasian Creed and some other writings asserts that Jesus descended into Hell after His death on the cross and that he rose up again the third day for our salvation.

But is that in line with the bibles teachings?

The Simple answer is No;

Rev20:14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death --- the lake of fire.

It should be noted here that Jesus never descend into Hell (the lake of fire or eternal fire, which was made for the devil and his demons; Matthew 25:41, Rev 19:20-21); for the scripture bears no record that anyone has ever been there. However, we see in the scriptures that Jesus rather went to Hades which is the region of the dead.

Matthew 12:40 For just as Jonah was in the belly of the huge fish for three days and three nights, so the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights.

Romans 10:7 …"Who will descend into the abyss?" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead)

Acts2:24,27 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

Here, David was speaking prophetically about Jesus; these words are alleged proof of Christ’s descent into the region of the dead and his resurrection. Showing that hades cannot hold him down.

Haven’t Affirm that Jesus Never go into Hell but to Hades, the Question now is WHY?

Ephesians 4:9-10,

(Now this, "He ascended" --- what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)

Before the Descent and Ascent of Christ, the hades is the region to which the spirit of the dead went to. The scriptures affirms that the soul of the saints of the old who has never heard the goodnews nor seen the light of Christ (But partly and afar of) went directly into hades. Of which without the light/life of the Glory of Christ shining on them, they cannot be set free.

He went to Preach to and to deliver the Spirits of the Saints of old

1 Peter 3: 19 …by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison,

1 Peter 4:6 For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

Prophetically, the saints of old through the revelation of the Spirit have beforehand seen and prophesy of this great Visit, that brings deliverance from the power of hades.

Isaiah

Isaiah 9:2 The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined.


David

Psalm 16: 9-11

9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope.

10 For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.

11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.


Isaiah 24:8 Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, The LORD mighty in battle.

Accompany the so much intense discuss of the divine descent is another reality of great importance which is that, Christ fought a great battle with the devil and his minions.

Humanly speaking, the hades/devil cannot willingly let go of his captives, Jesus visitation heated up a great battle.

Isaiah 49:24-25

24 Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, Or the captives of the righteous be delivered?

25 But thus says the LORD: " Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, And the prey of the terrible be delivered; For I will contend with him who contends with you, And I will save your children.

The Apostle Paul's testimony by the revelation of the Holy Spirit

Colossians 2:15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

Another version of the scripture (ESV) says; He disarmed the rulers and authoritieswith a note pointing to demonic rulers and authority. Jesus therefore engaged them in a fierce battle, he made an open show of them, he triumphed over them. Glory to God.

The result of the battle?

“O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?"

By the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, haven’t spoiled principalities and power in his death was raised up the third day just as he has promised. He did not only come out of the grave, but a host of the saints of old haven’t heard of the gospel.

The Captives of the Mighty were delivered;

Matthew 21:50-53

50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,

53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

THE IMPLICATION OF THE DIVINE DESCENT

Considering the foregoing, the following are therefore the implication of the divine descent.

1. If Jesus did not descend, the saints of the old will definitely see decay, their hope will be dashed, and the light of the glory of God may never shine on them. And besides, a great host of them did He take to be with him in heaven. (Psalm 16:9-11, Isaiah 9:2).

2. The resurrection of Christ gives hope to the believers; had it been never came back from the dead; then the hope of the Christian faith is dashed. His appearance to the apostles after his resurrection further strengthens their faith and the work of the ministry.

3. The resurrection of Christ (Ascension from hades) brings about gifts for the believers for the perfecting of saints and edification of the Church.

Ephesians 4:8-12

“Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.”

4. Believers now have dominion authority over principalities and powers in the name of Jesus. The

Conclusively; another associated debate of this great descent is the revelation in the book of Psalm 24:7-10. The discuss of which is that, the gates and the everlasting doors as mentioned prophetically by David are the gates of hell; in which when He (Jesus) was descending uttered the empowered revelation. Some writings and creeds also supported this. Additionally, another important discuss on this verse is that, it represents the entrance of the ark of God into the holy city (2 Samuel 6:1-23, 1 Chronicles 15). Furthermore, it also represents the admission of Christ into the human heart and lastly, it represents the ascension of Christ into Heaven.

Psalm 24:7-10

7 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.

8 Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.

9 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.

10 Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.

Be as it may; considering the foregoing and the verses above; without any profound theological analysis I shall state that; Jesus had just won a great battle making Him the King of Glory, The Lord, who is mighty in battle, and following Him is the host (congregation, crowd, multitudes) of saints he had delivered of which it can be rightly said that He is the Lord of Hosts.

Supportably, of Jesus ascension into the heavenly, I shall say that the gates of hades cannot be the ancient gates neither the everlasting doors the doors of the hades and death. For death and hades the scripture says shall be swallowed up in victory.

Revelation 20: 13-14

13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done.

14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.

GRACE TO YOU.

SOURCE: https://ambassadorofgrace..com/2019/01/a-biblical-review-of-jesus-descent-into.html