He Descended into Hell

“Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?” Eph. 4:9 KJV

In the beautiful old hymn, “Open Wide, Ye Doors” we find this simple line, “He has wrested Satan’s throne”. This is the victory of Christ’s descent into hell; He rose again. By descending and ascending Christ destroyed Satan’s power of the fear of death that he had wielded over mankind since the Garden. Christ was able to declare to all those bound by death that the door of heaven was open to all who had believed God’s promise of sending the Savior.

Paul illuminates this point by adding in Ephesians that Christ “led captivity captive”. In the game “Capture the Flag” one goal is to capture your opponent’s players and put them in your “jail”. The opponents must them try to free them and return them to their rightful territory. Essentially they lead captivity captive to the safety of home. Christ descended and ascended with those who had died in faith and took them “home”. Praise God that Christ has broken Satan’s power, wrested Satan’s throne and now will take all who believe in Him “Home” forever. Death has lost its sting.

Almighty God, We thank You that Christ has won the victory over Satan for us. Amen. 

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