Dear Brethren,

MEDITATION

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

Ephesians 4:9-10

OBSERVATION AND INTERPRETATION

1. This is a complex text:

a) To read
b) To understand
c) To apply

2. (Now this, “He ascended”)

a) This is a reference to a number of things:

i) The Resurrection of the Lord
ii) The Triumph of the Lord over sin, death and Satan

b) The Lord Jesus then ascended

i) Into Heaven
ii) To return to His rightful place at the right hand of God

3. What does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth?

a) Before one can ascend

i) One must first descend
ii) This is a reference to the Death of the Lord Jesus Christ

b) Descended into the lower parts of the earth

i) This is a figure of speech
ii) It simply means that the Lord Jesus physically died
iii) He was put into the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea
iv) This phrase describes “the abode of the dead”

4. (He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)

a) This is a reference to the Lord Jesus Christ

i) He was the One who descended
ii) He is also the One who ascended

b) The ascendance of the Lord and its significance

i) He is now above all the heavens
ii) He is able to fill all things

APPLICATION TO LIFE AND MINISTRY

1. The work of the Lord Jesus must not be taken for granted

a) His suffering
b) His death
c) His resurrection

2. The greatness of the Lord Jesus in His ascension

a) He is above all things
b) He fills all things
c) He is to be greatly honoured

Prayerfully,
Pastor Charles Tan