Msg #2327a Ascending and Descending

What The Bible Says, Another of

Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpits by Pastor Ed Rice

When describing the gifts given to men by God's grace, Paul adds an insightful parenthesis, “(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things)” (Eph.4:9-10). In verse 8, Paul is roughly quoting Psalm 68:18 (When you are an Apostle writing under inspiration you can roughly quote anything you want, others, not so), but in the parenthesis he is addressing what a mediator must be able to do, ascending up to God, and descending down to man. Job puts it, “For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment. 33 Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both” (Job.9:32-33). This ascending and descending of the Son of man is intriguing. It shows up in our salvation in Romans 10, “... Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead)” (Rom.10:6-7). And again in John 3, “And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven” (John.3:13). And again in Agur's profound riddle, “Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son’s name, if thou canst tell?” (Prov.30:4). God did. That's profoundly intriguing.

Another Essay for week #27 - Jul 2, 2023

Msg in audio at www.GSBaptistChurch.com/audio/gs230702.mp3

A Journaled Israel Tour www.GSBaptistChurch.com/israel22 /israel23

Have a Systematic Theology visit www.GSBaptistChurch.com/theology

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