Ephesians 4:9-10 (What does “He ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)
Hell had a horrendous party as Jesus breathed His last breath. The demons were sitting on the edge to see if Jesus would come down from the cross but when He died, they thought they won. The stupendous celebration came to a quick halt at hell when the very one whom they thought was dead invaded into hell. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit (1 Peter 3:18). That was the last party that hell had! The last enemy to be destroyed is death (1 Corinthians 15:26). Jesus conquered the unconquerable last enemy – death! Terror struck the devil and his demons. They would have trembled in their pants when they saw the light of the world stormed into hell and crushed the head of death.
Behind the empty cross, while the body of Jesus was in the tomb, Christ barraged into hell and snatched the keys of dread, death and destruction from the hands of the devil. He conquered the doom of death and slavery. Hence the name of Jesus is a conquering name. Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror (James 2:19). Demons tremble in terror as they were rendered powerless and weaponless by the resurrection of Jesus. The name of Jesus is the most powerful weapon to combat demonic intrusion and to drive out the demonic army. Jesus took all the authority from the powers of darkness and gave it into our hands. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you (Luke 10:19). We don’t have to live in the fear of death, dismay or desolation. Fear of the future will be absent to those who know the resurrected power of Jesus Christ.
Behind the empty cross:
1. Dread: Christ Jesus destroyed dread, anxiety and terror on the cross. The weapon to destroy fearful, dreadful and anxious thoughts is the name of Jesus. The antidote to panic attacks is the name of Jesus. We don’t have to live under the intimidation of anything or anyone. Nothing can touch us when we live under the shadow of the cross.
2. Death: Death in our body is only the new beginning of everlasting life. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die (John 11:26). We never die, we just change addresses from earth to eternity.
3. Destruction: Don’t be afraid of the devil – he is afraid of you. “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul.” (Matthew 10:28).
I will just have changed my address. I will have gone into the presence of God.” – Billy Graham.
Ephesians 4:8 When he ascended on high, He took many captives and gave gifts to his people.”
Prayer: Jesus my Lord and my King, teach me to use the authority that I have in your resurrected name and live victoriously. Amen
Leave a Reply