He Ascended Up on High
Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men….He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things. (Eph. 4:8-10 KJV)
When Jesus died, He descended into hell and then ascended far above all heavens. Hell is often depicted in scripture as being beneath, while heaven (God’s dwelling place) is above. In fact, when Jesus ascended, He rose up into the skies in plain sight of the Apostles. Notice here that the scripture is using the physical idea of height to communicate spiritual truth to us.
Heaven is not up in the skies, neither is hell deep down in the earth. If you were to take a spaceship into the endless galaxies, you will never find heaven out there. The same is true about hell. If you dig deep into the earth as far as possible, you will never find such a place beneath. These places are not physical but spiritual. The terms “beneath,” “above” or “high” are used figuratively to describe spiritual states to us. The highest and purest form of life is in heaven, where you have the purest expressions and experience of the life from God. The earth has a lower form of life, which is the human life. The earth, therefore, is said to be beneath and heaven is “above.” Similarly, hell has a form of existence that is even lower than the reality of human life on earth. It is said to be below, thus hell is beneath.
The same is true of authority and power. The highest place of power is where God is, generally considered to be heaven. As such, the heavens are said to be higher than the earth. The lowest of all authority and power in existence is in hell. Satan and his devils are in hell and are therefore below. When the Word says Jesus ascended up on high, it not merely referring to rising up there physically. He ascended up into the place of highest authority, meaning the very seat of God. And you are also seated in that place, far above all the powers of hell!
MEDITATE
Do you now understand why God says hell is beneath?
APPLY THE WORD
You are currently seated on high with Christ. Learn to think and live from there. It is not that you are in the physical skies, but you are in a place of highest spiritual power and authority.
PRAY
Thank the Lord for lifting you up in Christ!
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