What did Paul mean when he said Christ descended before ascending?
Paul meant Christ first descended into the paradise side of Hades, where Old Testament saints waited for the atoning blood. There He took the captives, then ascended far above all heavens to glory, moving paradise from below to glory for believers.
Les explains that the Old Testament saints were held in Hades, or hell, or Sheol on the paradise side, waiting for the atoning blood that had now been shed. When Christ left paradise, Ephesians 4:8-10 says He ascended, but that He also descended first into the lower parts of the earth. Les says Paul puts the capstone on it: before He ascended to glory, Christ descended into paradise and took those who were captive. The same one who descended is the same who ascended up far above all heavens, that He might fill or fulfill all things. II Corinthians 5 confirms that when Paul says he went up to paradise, paradise is no longer down as it was, but now it is in glory. That is the lot of the present-day believer when they die, ever since Christ ascended.
Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
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