by Ruby Henley
Here at IWB we wish everyone reading this a richly blessed Easter. All should prosper and none should do without what is needed to sustain a positive life experience. However, as we are aware many are in a negative situation during this time on Earth.
IWB publishes what we believe will assist our readers in getting one step ahead, and staying there, to enrich his or her life during these difficult times. We will continue to move ahead with you hopefully at our side. Thus, let us begin a reset this Easter with the goal of gratitude for each and every blessing we receive through our daily knowledge of what is happening in the world.
Greetings everyone – this is Ruby Henley, and I wish to share one of my Easter blessings with you.
When Christ arose, did He really descend into hell before rising up into Heaven? This has always been a focus and a blessing at Easter for me.
In 1 Peter we read that Christ continued to save souls–even after his death.
For Christ died for sins for all, the righteous and the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit.
He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly did not obey when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water. (1 Peter 3:18–21)
According to this passage, after he died, Christ went to those who died in the flood judgment.
Therefore it is said, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.”
“He ascended,” but what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth?
He who descended is He who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things. (Eph 4:8–10).
Christ came to deliver us from the penalty of sin (cf. Isa 53:4). Since death was part of that penalty, it was fitting for him to not only die but for his soul to go to the place where the dead had gone before him.
Through this action Christ demonstrated that he had overcome Satan by fulfilling the captives in hell.
Praise be to God!
Zechariah 9:11: “As for you also, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will set your captives free from the waterless pit.
12 Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; today I declare that I will restore to you double.”
This passage follows a description of God’s victory (cf. Zech 9:10), something the New Testament writers link with Jesus’ death and resurrection.
It was fitting that just as Jesus was made manifest to those on earth, it was also necessary for him to visit and enlighten those in Hades.
Philippians 2:10: “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Thank you, Jesus, as you did not turn away from anyone or any place.
May all of you be blessed with the wisdom of the ages in the times to come.