Who is the one who descended and ascended far above all heavens?
The one who descended and ascended far above all heavens is Christ. He first descended into the lower parts of the earth, into paradise, and then ascended to glory, taking the captives with Him, fulfilling all things. This confirms that paradise is no longer below but in glory.
Les teaches that Ephesians 4:8-10 identifies Christ as the one who first descended into the lower parts of the earth before ascending far above all heavens. The Old Testament saints were held in Hades, hell, or Sheol on the paradise side, waiting for the atoning blood that had now been shed. When Christ left paradise, He took those who were captive. Paul puts the capstone on it: the same one who descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that He might fill or fulfill all things. Les further explains from II Corinthians 5 that paradise is no longer down as it was, but now it is in glory. This has been the lot of the present-day believer when they die ever since Christ ascended.
He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)