When David wrote Psalm 24 he was writing with a future perspective in mind, yet we view this all from hindsight. He makes the declaration that the earth is Yahweh’s. If we keep that perspective in mind, we can then see how Yahweh spoiled principalities and powers and made an example of them in an open manner and triumphed over them. How did he do it? We know he came to earth, lived a sinless life, died and rose up; but we usually don’t tell the story of what happened to him during those three days and nights. David gives us the clues that we need to understand this part of Jesus’ story. Let’s keep in mind that humans were the plan that would destroy the fallen sons of God. Humans were part of His manifold wisdom.
“Song the David the one the Sabbath.”
This is a song by David that is to be sung on the Sabbath. It looks to the future of the victory of Jesus the Messiah over the grave. Therefore as Paul explains in Romans, we call those things today, ahead of time, which will be but have not happened yet.
Rom 4:16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
Rom 4:17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
Rom 4:18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.
Keep this idea of calling those things which are not, as though they are, in mind as we read this Psalm.
Psalms 24:1 G3588 [3 is of the G2962 4 lord G3588 1The G1093 2earth], G2532 and G3588 the G4138 fullness G1473 of it; G3588 the G3611 inhabitable world, G2532 and G3956 all G3588 the G2730 ones dwelling G1722 in G1473 it.
“Yahweh the earth and the completion it indwell and all reside in it.”
David’s first statement is that the earth, the entire earth, belongs to Yahweh. The completion of the earth belongs to Yahweh. What is the completion of the earth? Paul tells us that the earth is waiting for the apocalypse of the sons of God, but until then it groans and travails in pain, Romans 8:19-22. The healing of the earth comes on the Day of the Lord, at the end of the tribulation, when the children of God come as an army with Jesus to eliminate evil and usher in the millennial kingdom. Everyone is Yahweh’s, the good people, the bad people, the ones who follow the Lord and the ones who do not follow the Lord. The manifold wisdom of Jesus was to make known to the principalities and powers that the church, the ekklesia, is the standard for their, the principalities’ and powers’, judgment, Ephesians 3. The mystery is that it is Christ in us, who believe and make him Lord. What we know is that we will be judging angels (1 Corinthians 6:3), therefore we should know the things that pertain to this life and all the fullness and completion of this age.
Paul quotes this in regards to us not being in bondage to eating and drinking.
1Co 10:26 For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.
Therefore, don’t worry about what you eat or drink, it is all from the Lord and should be consumed with thankfulness.
Psalms 24:2 G1473 He G1909 [3upon G2281 4seas G2311 1founded G1473 2it]; G2532 and G1909 upon G4215 rivers G2090 he prepared G1473 it.
“He on sea lay the foundation it and on rivers prepare it.”
We know that there is water under the crust of the earth. Yahweh laid that foundation over the waters. The Holy Spirit superinduced upon the waters, or laid upon the waters. All of this was in preparation for the earth to be ready for humanity. All things were made by Jesus, for Jesus, and through Jesus, and in Him all things consist, Colossians 1.
Psalms 24:3 G5100 Who G305 shall ascend G1519 into G3588 the G3735 mountain G3588 of the G2962 lord, G2228 or G5100 who G2476 shall stand G1722 in G5117 [2place G39 1his holy]? G1473
“Who ascend into mountain Yahweh or who cause to stand in His sacred space.”
There are many mountains of Yahweh. But a clear example of someone who wanted to ascend on a heavenly mountain and be the judge of the other angels is the satan. Isaiah tells us about Hesperus, the morning star at night, the one who falls when others rise.
Isaiah 14:13 G1473 But G1161 G2036 you said G1722 in G3588 G2588 your heart, G1473 G1519 Unto G3588 the G3772 heaven G305 I shall ascend; G1883 [3upon G3588 4the G792 5stars G3588 6of the G3772 7heaven G5087 1I will put G3588 G2362 2my throne]; G1473 G2523 I shall sit G1722 on G3735 [2mountain G5308 1a high], G1909 upon G3588 the G3735 [2mountains G3588 G5308 1high] G3588 G4314 towards G1005 the north;
14 G305 I will ascend G1883 upon G3588 the G3507 clouds; G1510.8.1 I will be G3664 likened G3588 to the G5310 highest.
Instead of being the one taking over judging the other sons of God in the mount of of the congregation in the sides of the north, the satan was thrown out of the highest heavens and now only has access to the lower heavens, accusing humans day and night in the courts of heaven before the throne. Soon the devil and the satan will be cast out of the lower heavens down to the earth with one third of the angels.
Psalms 24:4 G121 Innocent G5495 hands G2532 and G2513 a pure G3588 G2588 heart, G3739 who G3756 did not G2983 take hold G1909 upon G3152 vain things G3588 G5590 for his soul, G1473 G2532 and G3756 did not G3660 swear by an oath G1909 with G1388 treachery G3588 against G4139 his neighbor. G1473
“Guiltless hands and clean heart which not receive on empty soul he and not swear on deceit/trick/bait his neighbor.”
What individuals will be able to ascend on the mountain of Yahweh and be able to stand in His sacred place? Only the individuals that have clean hands and hearts, who also do not have a vain soul, and have not been deceitful or attempted to trick and bait others. Notice what Jesus told us.
Mat 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Psalms 24:5 G3778 This one G2983 shall receive G2129 a blessing G3844 by G2962 the lord, G2532 and G1654 charity G3844 from G2316 God G4990 his deliverer. G1473
“He receive commendation in the presence of Yahweh and compassionateness in the presence of Elohim his deliverer.”
The people with guiltless hands, clean heart, and without an empty soul will be commended in the presence of Yahweh and the Elohim. We know that the time for commendations will be midway through the tribulation when Jesus is coronated and the kingdoms of the world become the kingdoms of our Lord and Christ and he will reign forever, Revelation 11.
Psalms 24:6 G3778 This G3588 is the G1074 generation G2212 seeking G3588 the G2962 lord, G2212 seeking G3588 the G4383 face G3588 of the G2316 God G* of Jacob.
“This the age search for Yahweh search for the face the Elohim of Jacob.”
David says that those with clean hands and hearts are the generation that is seeking and desiring Yahweh. And this generation also is seeking and desiring the face of the Elohim. The sons of Korah wrote this:
Psa 42:1 For the end, a Psalm for instruction, for the sons of Core. As the hart earnestly desires the fountains of water, so my soul earnestly longs for thee, O God.
Psa 42:2 My soul has thirsted for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
Moses brings up something interesting in Deuteronomy. Notice the words eon and generations of generations in the following verse. This indicates infinity of time; eon, generation, generation.
Deuteronomy 32:7 G3403 Remember G2250 the days G165 of the eon! G4920 Perceive G1211 indeed G2094 the years G1074 of the generations G1074 of generations! G1905 Ask G3588 G3962 your father, G1473 G2532 and G312 he will announce G1473 to you; G3588 G4245 your elders, G1473 G2532 and G2046 they shall speak G1473 to you.
8 G3753 When G1266 [3divided 5into parts G3588 1the G5310 2highest G1484 4nations], G5613 as G1289 he disseminated G5207 the sons G* of Adam, G2476 he set G3725 the borders G1484 of nations G2596 according to G706 the number G32 of the angels G2316 of God;
9 G2532 and G1096 [3became G3310 4a portion G2962 5 for the lord G2992 1his people G1473 G* 2Jacob]. G4979.1 [2is a piece of measured out land G2817 3of his inheritance G1473 G* 1Israel].
Ask your father about the days of the eon and the years of the generations of generations. Generationally, the elders were to announce to the children how the portion of Yahweh was measured to Jacob. Remember the dedication of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Jacob spent thirty seven years in full dedicated service to Yahweh under Shem and Eber. This service is why Jacob’s heirs were called to tell the world about Yahweh. David says that we are to ask the elders about searching out and desiring Yahweh and the Elohim. The elders would have told about how the Highest divided the nations into parts. The elders would have mentioned that the nations were scattered according to the number of angels, the elohim. Now what did Hosea tell us?
Hosea 6:6 G1360 For G1656 mercy G2309 I want, G2532 and G3756 not G2378 sacrifice; G2532 and G1922 full knowledge G2316 of God G3123 rather than G3646 whole burnt-offerings.
Yahweh says that he would rather be merciful than have people offer sacrifices and he would rather that we have a full knowledge of the Elohim rather than burnt offerings. Epignōsis is an “over or above knowledge”, meaning knowledge and discernment that comes from above. How do we gather that information? It is spiritual knowledge that has to come from the Holy Spirit who feeds it to our spirit.
On the surface it seems like David is about to shift ideas here, but in reality he is not. David is writing about the time that the Messiah will come to free the captives in Abraham’s Bay. He is speaking forth those things which will be before they are.
Psalms 24:7 G142 Let [2lift G4439 3 the gates G3588 G758 1your rulers]! G1473 G2532 and G1869 let [3be lifted up G4439 2gates G166 1 the eternal]! G2532 and G1525 [4shall enter G3588 1the G935 2king G3588 G1391 3of glory].
“Lift up/raise gates you rulers and lift up/raise up gates everlasting/lasting for an age and enter king glory.”
Who are the rulers that this Psalm is referring to? What eternal gates are we speaking of? Who is this King of Glory? We know that the King of Glory is the Messiah. Jesus is going to enter the eternal gates. From our perspective he already has, from David’s perspective he will. From this verse we now have to identify the rulers of eternal gates. Where did Jesus go when he let go of his spirit?
We have to take a moment to understand what David is writing about by going to the time that Jesus died on the cross. When the graves opened and the dead came out of their graves, people saw them. The living people knew who the walking dead were because they knew the people before they died.
Matthew 27:50 G3588 G1161 And G* Jesus G3825 again, G2896 having cried out G5456 [2voice G3173 1with a great], G863 let go G3588 the G4151 spirit.
51 G2532 And G2400 behold, G3588 the G2665 veil G3588 of the G3485 temple G4977 was split G1519 in G1417 two G575 from G509 above G2193 unto G2736 below; G2532 and G3588 the G1093 earth G4579 was shaken, G2532 and G3588 the G4073 rocks G4977 split;
52 G2532 and G3588 the G3419 tombs G455 were opened, G2532 and G4183 many G4983 bodies G3588 of the G2837 [2sleeping G39 1holy ones] G1453 arose;
53 G2532 and G1831 having come forth G1537 from out of G3588 the G3419 tombs, G3326 after G3588 G1454 his rising up, G1473 G1525 entered G1519 into G3588 the G39 holy G4172 city, G2532 and G1718 were revealed G4183 to many.
When Jesus released or discharged his spirit, several things happened; the veil of the temple was torn, there was an earthquake, there were rocks that split apart, there were tombs that opened, the dead people arose, the dead people walked into the holy city, the dead people were revealed or exhibited to many people.
When Jesus’ spirit was sent forth or departed, there were also several things happening that people did not see. But two of the dead people who were known by many, told of the event. We will come back to the question of who the rulers are shortly.
Psalms 24:8 G5100 Who G1510.2.3 is G3778 this G3588 G935 king G3588 G1391 of glory? G2962 The lord, G2900 fortified G2532 and G1415 mighty; G2962 the lord G1415 mighty G1722 in G4171 battle.
“Who is this King of Glory, Yahweh strong and mighty in warfare.”
David asks who the King of Glory is. Then he answers, it is Yahweh, who is strong and mighty in warfare. The King of Glory is the Messiah, who is Yahweh, who is Jesus. We are going to see Jesus’ triumphal entry through the gates of hades shortly.
Psalms 24:9 G142 Let [2lift G4439 3 the gates G3588 G758 1your rulers]! G1473 G2532 and G1869 let [3be lifted up G4439 2gates G166 1 the eternal]! G2532 and G1525 [4shall enter G3588 1the G935 2king G3588 G1391 3of glory].
“Lift up/raise up gates you rulers and lift up/rise up gates everlasting/lasting for an age, and enter King of Glory.”
The King of Glory entered; and as we know from Revelation 1, He took back the keys to death and hades. The gates are called on to rise up for an age and let the King of Glory enter. Does it seem strange that the rulers would not open the gates for the King of Glory? Why wouldn’t the rulers let Jesus in?
Psalms 24:10 G5100 Who G1510.2.3 is G3778 this G3588 G935 king G3588 G1391 of glory? G2962 The lord G3588 of the G1411 forces, G1473 he G1510.2.3 is G3588 the G935 king G3588 G1391 of glory.
“Who is this king glory, Yahweh the forces he is king glory.”
David asks the question again, and again answers that Yahweh is the King of Glory who is also of the forces, or host. When Jesus released his spirit, he wasn’t sleeping or resting, even though his body was dead. Jesus was busy. Where did all departed souls go at that time? Where do departed souls go today, who have made Jesus their Lord and believe he rose on the third day? Did taking back the keys change something? Let’s explore.
This is the event that Pontius Pilate and Nicodemus recorded for us. The saints who are in Abraham’s Bay see something. They recognize the light that they see is the Messiah, the one they all prophesied about. The saints all start rejoicing. Imagine, they had been waiting for so long and they realize their savior is here.
The Gospel of Nicodemus, the Acts of Pontius Pilate CHAP. XV.
1 Quarrel between Satan and the prince of hell concerning the expected arrival of Christ in hell.
WHILE all the saints were rejoicing, behold Satan, the prince and captain of death, said to the prince of hell,
2 Prepare to receive Jesus of Nazareth himself, who boasted that he was the Son of God, and yet was a man afraid of death, and said, My soul is sorrowful even to death.
3 Besides he did many injuries to me and to many others; for those whom I made blind and lame and those also whom I tormented with several devils, he cured by his word; yea, and those whom I brought dead to thee, he by force takes away from thee.
4 To this the prince of hell replied to Satan, Who is that so-powerful prince, and yet a man who is afraid of death?
5 For all the potentates of the earth are subject to my power, whom thou broughtest to subjection by thy power.
6 But if he be so powerful in his human nature, I affirm to thee for truth, that he is almighty in his divine nature, and no man can resist his power.
7 When therefore he said be was afraid of death, he designed to ensnare thee, and unhappy it will be to thee for everlasting ages.
8 Then Satan replying, said to the prince of hell, Why didst thou express a doubt, and wast afraid to receive that Jesus of Nazareth, both thy adversary and mine?
9 As for me, I tempted him and stirred up my old people the Jews with zeal and anger against him?
10 I sharpened the spear for his suffering; I mixed the gall and vinegar, and commanded that he should drink it; I prepared the cross to crucify him, and the nails to pierce through his hands and feet; and now his death is near at hand, I will bring him hither, subject both to thee and me.
11 Then the prince of hell answering, said, Thou saidst to me just now, that he took away the dead from me by force.
12 They who have been kept here till they should live again upon earth, were taken away hence, not by their own power, but by prayers made to God, and their almighty God took them from me.
13 Who then is that Jesus of Nazareth that by his word hath taken away the dead from me without prayer to God?
14 Perhaps it is the same who took away from me Lazarus, after he had been four days dead, and did both stink and was rotten, and of whom I had possession as a dead person, yet he brought him to life again by his power.
15 Satan answering, replied to the prince of hell, It is the very same person, Jesus of Nazareth.
16 Which when the prince of hell heard, he said to him, I adjure thee by the powers which belong to thee and me, that thou bring him not to me.
17 For when I heard of the power of his word, I trembled for fear, and all my impious company were at the same time disturbed;
18 And we were not able to detain Lazarus, but he gave himself a shake, and with all the signs of malice, he immediately went away from us; and the very earth, in which the dead body of Lazarus was lodged, presently turned him out alive.
19 And I know now that he is Almighty God who could perform such things, who is mighty in his dominion, and mighty in his human nature, who is the Saviour of mankind.
20 Bring not therefore this person hither, for he will set at liberty all those whom I hold in prison under unbelief, and bound with the fetters of their sins, and will conduct them to everlasting life.
The satan and Beelzebub the prince of hell are discussing Jesus. Beelzebub knows who Jesus is, but the satan thought it wouldn’t matter if he was a sinless man, that he would be under his, satan’s, control in death. Remember when Jesus was healing a blind and dumb person? The Pharisees said that he was using the power of Beelzebub.
Mat 12:23 And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?
Mat 12:24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.
The Gospel of Nicodemus, the Acts of Pontius Pilate CHAP. XVI.
1 Christ's arrival at hell-gates; the confusion thereupon. 10 He descends into hell.
AND while Satan and the prince of hell were discoursing thus to each other, on a sudden there was a voice as of thunder and the rushing of winds, saying, Lift up your gates, O ye princes; and be ye lift up, O everlasting gates, and the King of Glory shall come in.
These are the same words that David wrote over one thousand years prior. This is Jesus’ voice, sounding like thunder and rushing wind. Jesus calls out to hades, “Lift up your gates” or “Open the door and let me in”. Princes are rulers, archō. Jesus says to let him, the King of Glory, into the everlasting gates.
16:2 When the prince of hell heard this, he said to Satan, Depart from me, and begone out of my habitations; if thou art a powerful warrior, fight with the King of Glory. But what hast thou to do with him?
3 And he cast him forth from his habitations.
4 And the prince said to his impious officers, Shut the brass gates of cruelty, and make them fast with iron bars, and fight courageously, lest we be taken captives.
5 But when all the company of the saints heard this they spake with a loud voice of anger to the prince of hell:
6 Open thy gates that the King of Glory may come in.
Beelzebub tells the satan to fight with the King of Glory to keep him out of hades. Beelzebub tells his officers to lock up the gates. The saints in Abraham’s Bay are yelling to open the gates and let the King of Glory in. The saints are all aware of what is happening. The rulers and princes are all aware of what is happening. The satan and Beelzebub are aware of what is happening. The only ones who don’t know what is happening are the people alive on the earth.
16:7 And the divine prophet David, cried out saying, Did not I when on earth truly prophesy and say, O that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men.
8 For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder. He hath taken them because of their iniquity, and because of their unrighteousness they are afflicted.
Psa 107:16 For he broke to pieces the brazen gates, and crushed the iron bars.
Psa 107:17 He helped them out of the way of their iniquity; for they were brought low because of their iniquities.
16:9 After this another prophet, namely, holy Isaiah, spake in like manner to all the saints, did not I rightly prophesy to you when I was alive on earth?
10 The dead men shall live, and they shall rise again who are in their graves, and they shall rejoice who are in earth; for the dew which is from the Lord shall bring deliverance to them.
11 And I said in another place, O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting?
Isa 26:19 The dead shall rise, and they that are in the tombs shall be raised, and they that are in the earth shall rejoice: for the dew from thee is healing to them: but the land of the ungodly shall perish.
Isa 25:8 He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.
Isa 25:9 And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.
Paul and Hosea record something similar for us.
1Co 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
Hos 13:14 I will deliver them out of the power of Hades, and will redeem them from death: where is thy penalty, O death? O Hades, where is thy sting? comfort is hidden from mine eyes.
16:12 When all the saints heard these things spoken by Isaiah, they said to the prince of hell, Open now thy gates, and take away thine iron bars; for thou wilt now be bound, and have no power.
13 Then there was a great voice, as of the sound of thunder saying, Lift up your gates, O princes; and be ye lifted up, ye gates of hell, and the King of Glory will enter in.
14 The prince of hell perceiving the same voice repeated, cried out as though he had been ignorant, Who is that King of Glory?
The saints start demanding that the gates be open, then a voice of thunder declares the same thing. Beelzebub pretends not to know Jesus and asks who the King of Glory is. David then recites what he prophesied from Psalms 24 to Beelzebub.
16:15 David replied to the prince of hell, and said, I understand the words of that voice, because I spake them by his spirit. And now, as I have above said, I say unto thee, the Lord strong and powerful, the Lord mighty in battle: he is the King of Glory, and he is the Lord in heaven and in earth;
16 He hath looked down to hear the groans of the prisoners, and to set loose those that are appointed to death.
17 And now, thou filthy and stinking prince of hell, open thy gates, that the King of Glory may enter in; for he is the Lord of heaven and earth.
18 While David was saying this, the mighty Lord appeared in the form of a man, and enlightened those places which had ever before been in darkness,
19 And broke asunder the fetters which before could not be broken; and with his invincible power visited those who sate in the deep darkness by iniquity, and the shadow of death by sin.
In David’s feisty nature, he adds some expletives to his oration. David calls Beelzebub a filthy stinking prince of hell. I like David, no fear, no fear at all. Then Jesus appears. Imagine being in hades, the compartment of Abraham’s bay, cussing out the prince of hell, and then seeing Jesus. Death and her officers became fearful upon seeing Christ Jesus.
CHAP. XVII.
1 Death and the devils in great horror at Christ's coming. 13 He tramples on death, seizes the prince of hell, and takes Adam with him to heaven.
IMPIOUS Death and her cruel officers hearing these things, were seized with fear in their several kingdoms, when they saw the clearness of the light,
2 And Christ himself on a sudden appearing in their habitations; they cried out therefore, and said, We are bound by thee; thou seemest to intend our confusion before the Lord.
3 Who art thou, who hast no sign of corruption, but that bright appearance which is a full proof of thy greatness, of which yet thou seemest to take no notice?
4 Who art thou, so powerful and so weak, so great and so little, a mean and yet a soldier of the first rank, who can command in the form of a servant as a common soldier?
5 The King of Glory, dead and alive, though once slain upon the cross?
6 Who layest dead in the grave, and art come down alive to us, and in thy death all the creatures trembled, and all the stars were moved, and now hast thou thy liberty among the dead, and givest disturbance to our legions?
7 Who art thou, who dost release the captives that were held in chains by original sin, and bringest them into their former liberty
8 Who art thou, who dost spread so glorious and divine a light over those who were made blind by the darkness of sin?
Isaiah told us that the Messiah was going to set the captives free.
Isa 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me; he has sent me to preach glad tidings to the poor, to heal the broken in heart, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind;
Death and his officers were seized with fear and so were the legions of devils. Imagine in that deep dark place, where on one side of the chasm the unrighteous are tortured, and on the other side of the chasm the righteous have been waiting for the Christ.
17:9 In like manner all the legions of devils were seized with the like horror, and with the most submissive fear cried out, and said,
10 Whence comes it, O thou Jesus Christ, that thou art a man so powerful and glorious in majesty, so bright as to have no spot, and so pure as to have no crime? For that lower world of earth, which was ever till now subject to us, and from whence we received tribute, never sent us such a dead man before, never sent such presents as these to the princes of hell.
11 Who therefore art thou, who with such courage enterest among our abodes, and art not only not afraid to threaten us with the greatest punishments, but also endeavourest to rescue all others from the chains in which we hold them?
12 Perhaps thou art that Jesus, of whom Satan just now spoke to our prince, that by the death of the cross thou wert about to receive the power of death.
13 Then the King of Glory trampling upon death, seized the prince of hell, deprived him of all his power, and took our earthly father Adam with him to his glory.
Jesus tramples death and seizes hell at this time, taking back the keys to death and hell. Then Jesus starts to take the captives in Abraham’s bay to paradise. Meanwhile the satan and Beelzebub have an argument. If we keep in mind that the satan and the devil are two different beings, we can understand this argument. The satan, hesperus, the falling star at night, is no different than any other fallen angelic being. The satan was an incorporeal being who wanted to be a judge. The prince of death and the prince of hell are different beings, also with a fallen nature.
CHAP. XVIII.
1 Beelzebub, prince of hell, vehemently upbraids Satan for persecuting Christ and bringing him to hell. 4. Christ gives Beelzebub dominion over Satan for ever, as a recompense for taking away Adam and his sons.
THEN the prince of hell took Satan, and with great indication said to him, O thou prince of destruction, author of Beelzebub's defeat and banishment, the scorn of God's angels and loathed by all righteous persons! What inclined thee to act thus?
2 Thou wouldst crucify the King of Glory, and by his destruction, hast made us promises of very large advantages, but as a fool wert ignorant of what thou wast about.
Remember what Paul writes for us?
I Corinthians 2:7 G235 But G2980 we speak G4678 wisdom G2316 of God G1722 in G3466 a mystery, G3588 the one G613 being concealed, G3739 which G4309 God predefined G3588 G2316 G4253 before G3588 the G165 eons G1519 for G1391 our glory; G1473
8 G3739 which G3762 not one G3588 of the G758 rulers G3588 G165 of this eon G3778 G1097 has known. G1487 For if G1063 G1097 they knew, G3756 [3not G302 2would G3588 5the G2962 6Lord G3588 G1391 7of glory G4717 1they 4have crucified].
If the satan would have known this mystery, he never would have crucified the Lord of Glory. Remember, this is the manifold wisdom of the Elohim who serve Yahweh. It was determined or foreordained before the age that we are in.
18:3 For behold now that Jesus of Nazareth, with the brightness of his glorious divinity, puts to flight all the horrid powers of darkness and death;
4 He has broke down our prisons from top to bottom, dismissed all the captives, released all who were bound, and all who were wont formerly to groan under the weight of their torments have now insulted us, and we are like to be defeated by their prayers.
5 Our impious dominions are subdued, and no part of mankind is now left in our subjection, but on the other hand, they all boldly defy us;
6 Though, before, the dead never durst behave themselves insolently towards us, nor, being prisoners, could ever on any occasion be merry.
Notice what David and Paul tell us.
Psa 68:18 Thou art gone up on high, thou hast led captivity captive, thou hast received gifts for man, yea, for they were rebellious, that thou mightest dwell among them.
Eph 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
Eph 4:9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
Eph 4:10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
18:7 O Satan, thou prince of all the wicked, father of the impious and abandoned, why wouldest thou attempt this exploit, seeing our prisoners were hitherto always without the least hopes of salvation and life?
8 But now there is not one of them does ever groan, nor is there the least appearance of a tear in any of their faces.
9 O prince Satan, thou great keeper of the infernal regions, all thy advantages which thou didst acquire by the forbidden tree, and the loss of Paradise, thou hast now lost by the wood of the cross;
10 And thy happiness all then expired, when thou didst crucify Jesus Christ the King of Glory.
11 Thou hast acted against thine own interest and mine, as thou wilt presently perceive by those large torments and infinite punishments which thou art about to suffer.
12 O Satan, prince of all evil, author of death, and source of all pride, thou shouldest first have inquired into the evil crimes of Jesus of Nazareth, and then thou wouldest have found that he was guilty of no fault worthy of death.
13 Why didst thou venture, without either reason or justice, to crucify him, and hast brought down to our regions a person innocent and righteous, and thereby hast lost all the sinners, impious and unrighteous persons in the whole world?
14 While the prince of hell was thus speaking to Satan, the King of Glory said to Beelzebub, the prince of hell, Satan, the prince shall be subject to thy dominion for ever, in the room of Adam and his righteous sons, who are mine.
Isaiah looking ahead to this time says to rejoice.
Isa 44:23 Rejoice, ye heavens; for God has had mercy upon Israel: sound the trumpet, ye foundations of the earth: ye mountains, shout with joy, ye hills, and all the trees therein: for God has redeemed Jacob, and Israel shall be glorified.
Looking ahead, David wrote this:
Psa 30:3 O Lord, thou hast brought up my soul from Hades, thou hast delivered me from among them that go down to the pit.
Psa 30:4 Sing to the Lord, ye his saints, and give thanks for the remembrance of his holiness.
Psa 49:14 They have laid them as sheep in Hades; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning, and their help shall fail in Hades from their glory.
Psa 49:15 But God shall deliver my soul from the power of Hades, when he shall receive me. Pause.
Psa 16:10 because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
Notice what the church is going to be built on, the knowledge of Christ, our savior. The gates of hell cannot, will not, and do not prevail against this knowledge.
Mat 16:15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
Mat 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Mat 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Mat 16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
John tells us that when he saw Jesus, Jesus told him he has the keys.
Rev 1:17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:
Rev 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
Paul gives us an understanding of Jesus who nailed our sin to the cross, and that he is the fullness of the deity in his body.
Col 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Col 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
Col 2:15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
What was the plan? The plan was to strip off and disarm principalities, and powers, who are the rulers. Yahweh created humans for this plan. He then came to earth as a human, allowed himself to be crucified, and then took over death and hell. He openly triumphed over those who stole rulership from the adam, insomuch showing their limited understanding of Him. The principalities and powers did not understand or know Yahweh to the degree that David did, and hopefully to the degree we come to know Him. Yahweh coming to earth looked to the principalities and powers like the end of the story. It seemed to the evil rulers that all Jesus was doing was healing people and once he was dead the people would forget about him. However that was not the case.
Today, if we believe that he died and rose up on the third day, we are saved. We are not forced into a compartment of hades upon death, we go to paradise, which is opened to the righteous dead until Jesus calls from the clouds and we all enter heaven. Jesus has the keys. No one dies without Jesus knowing about it. No one goes to Paradise or hell without Jesus knowing about it. The plan was multifaceted; and as we see, the evil principalities and powers did not know or understand what Yahweh was doing. This should give us encouragement. We should rejoice. We see clearly how ignorant these evil beings are. With that in mind, why would anyone want to serve evil beings? Those who serve evil fallen beings don’t know the truth. Jesus rose up on the third day, he emptied out Abraham’s Bay. He took disciples to Paradise. This is what David and Isaiah were expecting to happen. This is what the righteous dead were waiting for. The gates of hell were opened, and the King of Glory entered in. Who is this King of Glory? Yahweh strong and mighty. Yahweh of the heavenly host. He is the King of Glory.
