As we already considered, our first head, Adam, brought us down to an awful and everlasting misery. And our second Head, Christ, ascended and opened the way for us to be lifted up higher than the chief angels in everlasting blessedness and glory. For our Savior descended in order to make us ascend. Of that Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:9 , quoting David as he wrote in Psalm 68 .
Now in Ephesians 4:10 we find these comforting words: "He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things." Here we have the comforting truth which Paul sets forth. The fact is that Christ, having ascended far above the heavens, can now fulfill all things which God has promised us. That is the meaning of the statement that He now might fill all things. The word "fill" here means "fulfill, make full," and it refers to God's covenant promises.
All this is so wonderfully true, because of the descension and ascension of Christ. A man may give his life to save that of a loved one; and surely our Savior did that. His life was not taken away from Him against His will, or because He could not stop the enemy from doing so. He did, as pointed out recently, make them all fall backward to the ground. But what is required beside His death is His resurrection and ascension, in order that He might have the right and power to raise us to glory.
Having ascended to God's right hand, He now has all the right and power to bring us there. Therefore we need have no doubt. We can be sure, absolutely sure, of the promise which God gives us in Him. That promise will be fulfilled in its smallest detail. Every word in it, and every letter in every word of that promise, will be fulfilled.
Have no doubt and fear then. All is well. We have not man's promise, but the promise of the almighty, unchangeable God.
Read: Ephesians 4:1-10
Meditations on the Heidelberg Catechism
Through the Bible in One Year
Read today:
Job 23; Job 24; Job 25; Job 26; Job 27:1-23
II Corinthians 1:12-24 ; II Corinthians 2:1-11
Psalm 41:1-13
Proverbs 22:5-6
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Quote for Reflection:
Charles D. Alexander: "It is sure from this figure of the Church hidden in the wilderness, that she is not an earthly, visible institution decked in all the pomp and pride of a kingdom of this world, as the Roman error teaches and practices. She is hidden, invisible, heavenly, and known only by the preaching of the Word and by her worship' in spirit and in truth'" Revelation Spiritually Understood, p. 307).
Additional Info
- Date: 27-August
