Christos Anesti, Aléthos Anesti Which is Greek for : “Christ is Risen!” And we reply “Indeed He Has! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!”

A great heavenly host of angels, the prophets, the forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the Archangel Gabriel and all of Heavens armies surrounded the cross at that moment. They watched as the Son of God was tried and beaten throughout the night, they watched as He carried the cross. When He was nailed to the cross, the entire heavens stood silent. A great silence and stillness covered the heavens as tears slipped down their faces, their fury held back as they watched the Savior suffer in utter torment. Abraham watching his children spit and strike the Lord, the angels wanting desperately to rescue Him, and the prophets of old bowing their heads with broken hearts as they all watched the Son of God, Jesus Christ, the Lion of tribe of Judah and the King of kings descended from the line of King David, nailed to a cross. The savior of the world in deep abandonment, sorrow, pain and rejection. He took the punishment I deserved. On the cross for 6 hours and after 3 hours of complete darkness, they heard the Lord cry out “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” and then another cry “It is finished!” He bowed his head and released his spirit. It was done. He died,  the earth quaked, graves opened, the dead came back and were seen among the living, The soldiers gasped and fear and exclaimed ” Truly, this was the Son of God!”. The thick veil in the temple tore in two, earth shaking, sky pitch black darkness, fear in every heart, walls crumbling, dead digging their way out…… and the proclamation echoed out:

“See, my servant will prosper; he will be highly exalted. His face was so disfigured he seemed hardly human, and from his appearance, one would scarcely know he was a man. FOR HE  will startle many nations. Kings will stand speechless in his presence! For they will see what they had not been told; they will understand what they had not heard about. And because of his experience, ” My righteous servant has made it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he has borne all their sins. I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier, because he exposed himself to death.” He was counted among the rebels. He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels. He has opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. Amen!
               He has made the people holy by the blood He shed, He has now become our High Priest. He has entered that greater, more perfect Tabernacle, which was not made by human hands and is not part of this created world. With his own blood—not the blood of goats and calves—he entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. He mediates a new covenant between God and people, so that all who are called can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them. ”

As He released His spirit, He was taken up into the arms of the heavenly host who quickly gathered around Him and held Him with great love, comforting Him. – Yet, we know He did not ascend to the Father as yet, because after His resurrection, He told the disciples not to touch Him because He had not yet ascended to the Father. Remember what Jesus said- the only sign given to them would be the sign of Jonah, just as he was in the belly of the whale for 3 days and 3 nights so the Son of Man will be 3 days and 3 nights in the heart of the earth.  Moses and Elijah were there to witness, they had met Jesus before hand at the Mount of transfiguration to discuss what was to come. Jesus had a mission….

At His death, He disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of our enemies in high places! For He, our redeemer, triumphed over them by the cross.

Jesus Christ, Savior of the World, was given ALL AUTHORITY  in Heaven and Earth from God the Father. He has the keys to Hades. While in the heart of the earth, He went into the dark abyss with a mighty angelic force behind Him. Entering into the gates of Hell Proclaiming freedom every captive “ You have been set free! I have come to save You! Your Father in Heaven has sent for you!” His voice like thunder echoing throughout for every man and woman to hear. Teaching and preaching to them the Good News. He walked through the gates of Hell and throughout the pit of Hell, making sure He spoke to everyone who had ever been created, gathering as many as He could. Demons surrounding Him silenced in His Power unable to speak and filled with weakness, trembling in His presence. The Savior, full of power and authority continued showing the captives His hands and feet, showing everyone what our Savior had done so they could be set free. Many called out to Him, grabbing on to Him, following and believing, but yet others – in anger like the Pharisees, mocked Him and treated Him as the people of the world treated Him. Just as the Pharisees knew He was God and choose to reject Him for their own pride, status and evil hearts, so some of the people in Hell also treated Him.

                 So the Lord Jesus took His captives to freedom as they He gathered them into the Heavens, out of the pit of torment and dread that was supposed to be eternal for each one of them. As they reached the Great Throne room before the Lord God Almighty, the Lord’s heart leaped for joy to see His children. He gave each one a Great Embrace as is they were the only child of the Father- telling them- “ My Child, I have always loved you with an everlasting love. Since the very beginning, even those of you who died in the flood during the days of Noah, I have never forgotten you. You have never left my mind. I am filled with Joy that you are here with me. I have a place prepared for you.” ( God never forgets you)
Jesus came back to earth to see and talk to His friends giving them instructions and proving that He is the Son of the Living God. After that, He was taken up into the Heavens where He sits today at the right hand of God the Father. The heavens, the freed captives, and the angelic host filled the heavens with great Praises to the King of Kings and they have never stopped – even unto this day- I can still hear them sing praises to the new born king, Peace on earth, goodwill toward men, Christ was born in Bethlehem -the praises to Him ring forth forever and ever.
Amen and Glory Hallelujah! Our King is Risen.

As we say each Easter in celebration of Christ and God’s love for us :“Christos Anesti” and we continue to reply “Aléthos Anesti “ Which means : “Christ is Risen!” And we reply “Indeed He Has! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!”

So he went and preached to the spirits in prison—  those who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat. Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood. And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God froma clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  1 Peter 3:19-21

Sunday Morning: Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”JOhn 20:17

For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. Matthew 12:40

CHRIST IS RISEN – Christos Anesti !!

INDEED HE HAS -Aléthos Anesti !!

Christ is Risen!

In the Greek tradition, we crack eggs each Easter. One person says “Christ is Risen” and the other says “Indeed He has” and we smash eggs. (Its a fun time for the family and each year there is a winner)Legend has it that eggs were brought to the tomb by Mary that special morning.The eggs are dyed red in remembrance of the blood of Jesus, the shell represents the tomb that couldn’t hold Him, the smash of the egg is in remembrance of what Jesus did to the power of the grave by disarming the powers and authorities, making a public spectacle of our enemies. Amen!

and I heard ……..The Heavenly Host Praising God. Luke 2

All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often
Luke 2;18-19

“but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often”

        I always wondered about this verse when I was young and now that I am older,  I also have things I have kept in my heart and think of often. There is one particular thing I’d like to share that I have kept treasured in my heart for years. It’s something I go back to often and I think of each Christmas. It’s something that I remembered continually as I studied the scriptures to make sure my Savior was real. When I sought out to truly seek and find the Lord, when I wanted to make sure my beliefs that I was taught as a child were true, I always remembered this night. There are many other things I fall back on in remembrance, many wonderful miracles that I keep treasured in my heart and remember often.

But then I recall all you have done, O LORD; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. Remember the wonders he has performed, his miracles, and the rulings he has given. He causes us to remember his wonderful works. How gracious and merciful is our LORD!
Psalm 77:11 Psalm 105:5 Psalm 111:4

         I was about 16 or 17 years old, and it was Christmas Eve night or early Christmas Day. I awoke to what I thought was a loud party in the middle of the night. I heard loud Christmas songs being sung so loud that I was surprised my entire neighborhood wasn’t awake. My first thought was “My neighbors are so rude! Having a party at this hour, waking up people!” (My room was a converted garage so I was across the house from everyone in family) I looked out my front window to see which neighbor was partying. It was dark, no lights on anywhere. I stood frozen and confused. Where was this singing coming from? I could hear voices singing, I could hear a multitude of voices singing praises and it was a Christmas song I knew. I looked out my side windows to make sure it wasn’t my other neighbor, but their house was silent and dark. The music, the singing voices sounded like they were right in front of me. I checked again everywhere, to find out where this party was, but my entire neighborhood was still, silent, and not a light on anywhere.
         It was at that moment, I froze in terrifying fear. I realized the voices were coming from each window around my house. It was so loud! And so beautiful! It filled my room and seemed loud enough for all to hear! I heard what seemed to sound like men’s voices singing praises to Jesus- the newborn King. It was a Christmas song I knew and was familiar with, but I can’t remember which one it was. I remembered my prayers that I had said that night and each night since early childhood; “Lord, protect and surround my house with angels as we sleep, guard every door and window with your angels” (living in Miami, that was my nightly prayer)

    There I stood, frozen- unable to move. I suddenly realized what I was hearing.  I knew I was listening to a multitude of mighty angels singing praises to the newborn King, to Jesus, the Savior of the World. It was amazing. Still frozen, standing up by my window, I considered what I heard. It was the most beautiful sound, like men’s voices praising God. I’ve never ever heard anything that matched the beauty of the voices and singing I heard that night. I could hear this from each window and I perceived that the sound was coming from just about the roof level. It sounded like men’s voices who were taller than the roof of my room.
   When I was finally able to move, I ran to my brother’s room. I unlocked his door and despite his complaining, dragged my little brother(well, he was 14) in to hear what I heard! However, once I dragged him in, I didn’t hear it anymore – and I fought with him to sleep on his floor because I was afraid to go back in my room alone. So, maybe it ended up a little unholy- fighting with bro -but this night has been a treasure in my heart that I will never ever forget.

I know Jesus is real- without a doubt in my heart, He is the
Savior of the World.

Sometimes we can forget what this special day is all about, but the story never gets old, it is brand new each day. Lift you hands and sing praises to our King. What a glorious day it will be to hear them again. What a precious moment it will be when all the earth will bow down before Him and proclaim

Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of Lords
Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

        Just imaging the praises that go on night and day to the Lord, makes me want to join in together with the heavenly Hosts and sing with all my heart, how wonderful and praise worthy He is. Amen and Amen. Glory to God in the Highest!

Today, stop and remember all the wonderful blessing and miracles the Lord has done for us. It’s a good thing to remember, write down the Lord’s good words, Praise Him and tell others of all His glorious works.

Then they remembered that God was their rock, that God Most High was their redeemer. They did not remember his power and how he rescued them from their enemies.
Psalm 78:42 Psalm 78:35

And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.  Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

 “Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

          May the Lord bless you and keep you. Remember- that even though the world around us may fall to wickedness and evil, the Lord’s message to us is clear “Do not fret, do not worry- they will soon disappear ” Don’t let the falling away bring hopelessness or worry you, but instead let us join together and Praise Him, telling others about our Savior and gathering in those who are lost. Lord, may your wonders be proclaimed throughout the earth.  Bring your peace and comfort on those who are mourning, surround them with your love. May your people rise up in Honor of your glorious name- Lord watch over us and God bless Israel.

Related articles

• Carols: A Christmas Devotional – Do You Hear What I Hear? (christlikeministriesnwa.wordpress.com)
• Joy – Gifts of Christmas (essentialthingdevotions.com)
• Wonderful (mrbnd.wordpress.com)
• STAND ON THE ROCK (www.bofgoodcourage.com)

What is Babylon? Babylon today 2012

What is Babylon????????

   

1 Peter 5:8: Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour

       Reader Bonnie asked me this today- a good question!   I’m sure we all have ideas and theories, but what is Babylon? What is the babylon of the last days? I had this same question on my page “4 Lions and a Storm“. I know the lion represents Babylon, but what is this lion that we are to be careful of? What or who is Babylon?  The Lord is sending out a strong message and warning about this deceiver.

                      I see three different, yet similar Babylons- the first- we know as the tower of confusion in Genesis, then we see it as an enemy of Israel/Judah when the Lord used them to punish His people, then lastly we see it as God’s enemy to be destroyed finally in the last days. Who are they? What is it? What does the Lord want us to understand?  Let’s take some scripture and see what we can discover.

A GREAT DECEIVER!

According to Scripture( I listed below):

   Babylon is a place and spoken to as a nation of peoples that is supernaturally lead by satan.(see verses below)  It rules in anger and wants to take over the whole earth.(doesn’t that sound familiar?) I believe Babylon is an invisible army of wicked rulers who have deceived the people on earth to turn from God and worship other gods all the while they show pretentious face (remember Eph tells us we battle not against flesh and blood but against wicked rulers and principalities in the heavenlies ) According to scripture I found, we are told they act/pretend right and holy and fear the Lord but do not serve Him. This is only a front or cover for the wickedness, unfaithfulness and idolatry that fuels this people. It’s final demise will come at it’s greatest power, in what we know as the last days, or the day of the Lord. It is here where we see the King of Kings on a horse spoken of in Revelation 19. The winepress is the their blood – the punishment for their horrible wickedness and unfaithfulness

  This also we know: They are against God, Enemies of Israel,  rule in hatred and anger, they seem by outsiders as righteous or those who fear the Lord, but they do not love him or worship him, but instead have made up their own gods to serve, the are full of violence,  they are master deceivers, pretending to be friends with you, not revealing that they want to devour you as a lion devours it’s prey, they were used by God to punish His people,  it is a place where they held the Lord’s people captive –yet God’s people thrived there as they returned back to the Lord and repented, it is a mighty, beautiful and powerful city, a deceiver of nations, uses confusion to destroy God’s people, wants to rule all the nations and pour out it’s wrath upon them, . It is a  strong fortress that wants you to trust in it and not in God. It is a city given great authority and power. And a definition straight from the Word of God:  Babylon is the Mother of Harlots and the abomination of the earth.

Edom? The Church? 3 Part End times Babylon:     

   I’ve found scripture below and a few more if you look into it- that have me considering Edom/descendants of Esau (coming up from the Jordan River)- There seems to be puzzle pieces that can be put together with almost exact matching end time words that we see in Revelation concerning Edom- in Micah, Isaiah, Jeremiah and more. I also found scripture referring to Babylon that reminded me of the Church today. Consider this verse: Revelation 16:19: And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. (could Babylon be a 3 part system in the last days?) See video link below for more info on the Church.

Three horns in Daniel?
     Could the three parts of Babylon have anything to do with the three horns mentioned in Daniel?  Daniel 7:8   I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things and Daniel 7:20 And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows

We are told Babylon will one day be a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird because the King of Kings will come and Heaven will be VICTORIOUS!

           Can I point them out? Can I show you on a map? I have not been given this information, I can only speculate, assume and wonder. I will give you what we are told and from there I believe you will understand what I am talking about and what the Lord is revealing.

Babylon/ Babel

1.      Descendents of Ham through Cush who began the kingdom

2.      When the people became one against God? Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them. ⁷ Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.” ⁸ So the Lord scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they ceased building the city. ⁹ Therefore its name is called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth; and from there the Lord scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth.

3.      Defined by Strongs- Confusing, a mixing, Babylonian empire by the Euphrates

4.      Some say it is Iraq

5.      Some say it means the Gate of God

6.      Enemies of Israel Joshua 7, 2 Kings 24, 2 Kings 25, Jer 20-21,

7.      They served gods they had created but on the outside it seemed as if they Feared the Lord.  “ They feared the Lord, yet served their own gods” ²⁹ However every nation continued to make gods of its own, and put them in the shrines on the high places which the Samaritans had made, every nation in the cities where they dwelt. ³⁰ The men of Babylon made Succoth Benoth…………… So they feared the Lord, and from every class they appointed for themselves priests of the high places, who sacrificed for them in the shrines of the high places.  They feared the Lord, yet served their own gods. 2 k 17

8. They act as if they are your friend, but want to destroy you. Is 39,  At that time Berodach-Baladan^[a] the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he heard that Hezekiah had been sick.  And Hezekiah was attentive to them, and showed them all the house of his treasures—the silver and gold, the spices and precious ointment, and all^b] his armory—all that was found among his treasures. There was nothing in his house or in all his dominion that Hezekiah did not show them.¹⁴ Then Isaiah the prophet went to King Hezekiah, and said to him, “What did these men say, and from where did they come to you?”So Hezekiah said, “They came from a far country, from Babylon.”¹⁵ And he said, “What have they seen in your house?”So Hezekiah answered, “They have seen all that is in my house; there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shown them.”¹⁶ Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the Lord: ¹⁷ ‘Behold, the days are coming when all that is in your house, and what your fathers have accumulated until this day, shall be carried to Babylon; nothing shall be left,’ says the Lord. ¹⁸ ‘And they shall take away some of your sons who will descend from you, whom you will beget; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.’”¹⁹ So Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the Lord which you have spoken is good!” For he said, “Will there not be peace and truth at least in my days?”

9.      Used by God to punish the Lord’s people for disobedience, unfaithfulness  2 Kings 24,2 Kings 25, 1 Chronicles 9:1, ezra 5:12

10.  Break down the house of the Lord 2 Kings 25 and it’s gates

11.  A Far away city 2 Chro, 333,36

12.  A City of Captivity 2 Chronicles 33-36

13.  A city where the remnant and the prophet were taken to and lived amidst

14.  A city that dwelt around another temple of a god they created

15.  A powerful city

16.  A place where God’s people wept, realized their sins and repented (well, some) Ps 137

17.  The great and beautiful city (aka The Golden city) the Lord will come against in the last days Is 13 and Rev 19:11

18.  Rules with anger Is 14

19.  Compared to Lucifer Is 14- we can assume then it is a city, a people, a nation that is ruled by satan, and will fall like satan will fall- and then we can say it is disguised in light as he is- a deceive of people and of nations who rules with great anger

20.  It’s ruler tries to ascend upon High, tries to put itself in the place of God Almighty Is 14

21.  She makes all nations drink of her wrath rev 14:8 and for this she will fall

22.  It is divided into three parts and on her was poured the wrath of God Rev 16:19

23.  Mother of all harlots (rahab ps 87) and abominations on earth Rev 17:5

24.  It will be a dwelling place for demon

25 A Lion!
For thus has the Lord said to me:
“Go, set a watchman,Let him declare what he sees.”
⁷ And he saw a chariot with a pair of horsemen,
A chariot of donkeys, and a chariot of camels,
And he listened earnestly with great care.
⁸ Then he cried, “A lion, my Lord!
I stand continually on the watchtower in the daytime;
I have sat at my post every night.
⁹ And look, here comes a chariot of men with a pair of horsemen!” Is 21Jeremiah 50:17“Israel is like scattered sheep; The lions have driven him away. First the king of Assyria devoured him; Now at last this Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has broken his bones.”

26.  Babylon is a strong fortress that wants you to trust in it and not in God- Get out and get away from Babylon- remember to Trust in the LordGo forth from Babylon!Flee from the Chaldeans!With a voice of singing,Declare, proclaim this,
Utter it to the end of the earth;Say, “The Lord has redeemed His servant Jacob!”²¹ And they did not thirst When He led them through the deserts;He caused the waters to flow from the rock for them;He also split the rock, and the waters gushed out.

27.  A city given great authority and Power, Is, Jer 25,27

28.  Mother of Harlots and the abomination of the earth

29.  Dwelling place of demons, a prison for every fowl spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird rev 18 9

30.  Full of violence rev 18 21 -A hammer of all the nations Jeremiah 50

31.  Heaven is victorious over it rev 19

4 More Verses to Consider: –

Isaiah 34:6The sword of the LORD is drenched with blood and covered with fat— with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of rams prepared for sacrifice. Yes, the LORD will offer a sacrifice in the city of Bozrah. He will make a mighty slaughter in Edom.

Isaiah 63:1 Who is this who comes from Edom, from the city of Bozrah, with his clothing stained red? Who is this in royal robes, marching in his great strength? “It is I, the LORD, announcing your salvation! It is I, the LORD, who has the power to save!” 

Jeremiah 49:21The earth will shake with the noise of Edom’s fall, and its cry of despair will be heard all the way to the Red SeaBehold, he (Edom/descendants of Esau) shall come up like a lion from the floodplain of the Jordan, against the dwelling place of the strong.but I will suddenly make him run away from her: and who is a chosen man, that I may appoint over her? for who is like me? and who will appoint me the time? and who is that shepherd that will stand before me? The earth is moved at the noise of their fall, at the cry the noise thereof was heard in the Red sea. Behold, he shall come up and fly as the eagle, and spread his wings over Bozrah: and at that day shall the heart of the mighty men of Edom be as the heart of a woman in her pangs Jeremiah 49:18,19,21,22

He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God. Revelation 19:13

   We know that whatever lies ahead, the Lord is with us. We do not need to fear. Notice the great men and prophets that rose us during this time of Captivity- let’s pray for more workers because the harvest is great. Be strong in the Lord and keep your hearts of fire continually flowing with the Mighty Power of the Holy Spirit.

    Give Praise and Honor to His Name- the Lord God Almighty and His Precious Son, Lamb of God, The Alpha and Omega, the Word, the Truth, Messiah, King of Kings and Lord of Lords- Jesus is His Name. He is the only way to Salvation. He is the only Way to the Father. He is Our Savior, let us lift up Holy Hands and Praise Him today.

    Remember you are here for such a time as this.

  Good Video:  http://www.eternalweight.com/video-gallery/ew-video-productions on Godtube discussing Babylon and the Apostacy of the Church.  (The 3 faces of the Apostacy)

Where did Jesus go when He died? Christos Anesti! Alethos Anesti! Christ is Risen! Indeed He has!

  Where did Jesus go when He died? I decided to gather some scripture to answer this question.  (I’m sure I’ll find more soon) Read and look over the verses. Scripture in no way contradicts itself.  The Word of God is all truth, living and powerful.  Below the verses, I have put together what I imagine happened on the day our Great God and Savior died for us.

So he went and preached to the spirits in prison—  those who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat. Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood. And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God froma clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  1 Peter 3:19-21

Now Christ has gone to heaven. He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers accept his authority 1 Peter 3:20

 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise. Luke 23:43

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. Rev 1:18 

 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) Eph 4: 9-10

 

 Sunday Morning: Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”JOhn 20:17

8 days lataer:  Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. ²⁷ Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!”John 20

 

 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,  and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 1 Peter 2:14-15

For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. Matthew 12:40

     For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;  Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him. 1Peter 3:18 -22

 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Act 2:27

 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. psalm 16:10

 I made the nations to shake at the sound of his fall, when I cast him down to hell with them that descend into the pit: and all the trees of Eden, the choice and best of Lebanon, all that drink water, shall be comforted in the nether parts of the earth. Ez 31:16 (not sure about this verse, but it makes me think- this chapter in Ezekiel could have prophetic meaning as it speaks of Assyria- it’s the part that says, all that drink water, shall be comforted in the nether parts of the earth)

What do I think? Well of course, I wasn’t there, I can only study the scriptures we are given. However, in my mind, this is what I imagine….

   A great heavenly host of angels, the prophets, the forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the Archangel Gabriel surrounded the cross at that moment. They had watched as the Son of God was tried and beaten throughout the night, they watched as He carried the cross. When  He was nailed to the cross, the entire heavens stood silent. A great silence and stillness covered the heavens as tears slipped down their faces, their fury held back as they watched the Savior suffer in utter torment. Abraham watching his children spit and strike the Lord, the angels wanting desperately to rescue Him, and the prophets of old bowing their heads with broken hearts as they all watched the Son of God, Jesus Christ, the Lion of tribe of Judah and the King of kings descended from the line of King David, nailed to a cross. The savior of the world in deep abandonment, sorrow, pain and rejection. On the cross for 6 hours and after 3 hours of complete darkess, they heard the Lord cry out “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” and then another cry “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and released his spirit. It was done. He died and the earth quaked. The thick veil in the temple tore in two and the proclamation echoed out:

        “See, my servant will prosper; he will be highly exalted. But many were amazed when they saw him. His face was so disfigured he seemed hardly human, and from his appearance, one would scarcely know he was a man.  And he will startle many nations. Kings will stand speechless in his presence. For they will see what they had not been told;  they will understand what they had not heard about. And because of his experience, my righteous servant has made it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he has borne all their sins.  I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among the rebels. He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels. He has  opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. He has made the people holy by the blood He shed, He has now become the High Priest over all the good things that have come. He has entered that greater, more perfect Tabernacle in heaven, which was not made by human hands and is not part of this created world.  With his own blood—not the blood of goats and calves—he entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever  so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. He mediates a new covenant between God and people, so that all who are called can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them. “

  As He released His spirit, He was taken up into the arms of the heavenly host who quickly gathered around Him, each wanted to comfort the King of Kings, the Prince of Peace, the Messiah, the Holy One. They surrounded Him and held Him with great love, comforting Him. They comforted and strengthened Him as they brought Him into the Heavens into the Holy of Holies in the Presence of His Father.
    He, the Son Jesus, was given all authority in Heaven and Earth from God the Father. All Power was given to Him. He was strengthened and given the keys to Hades. He then went into the dark abyss with a mighty angelic force behind Him. Entering into the gates of Hell Proclaiming freedom every captive “ You have been set free! I have come to save You! Your Father in Heaven has sent for you!”  His voice like thunder echoing throughout for every man and woman to hear. Teaching and preaching to them the Good News. He walked through the gates of Hell and throughout the pit of Hell, making sure He spoke to everyone who had ever been created, gathering as many as He could. Demons surrounding Him silenced in His Power unable to speak and filled with weakness, trembling in His presence. The Savior, full of power and authority continued showing the captives His hands and feet, showing everyone what our Savior had done so they could be set free.  Many called out to Him, grabbing on to Him, following and believing, but yet others – in anger like the Pharisees, mocked Him and treated Him as the people of the world treated Him.  Just as the Pharisees knew He was God and choose to reject Him for their own pride, status and evil hearts, so some of the people in Hell also treated Him. 
    So the Lord Jesus took His captives to freedom as they He gathered them into the Heavens, out of the pit of torment and dread that was supposed to be eternal for each one of them. As they reached the Great Throne room before the Lord God Almighty, the Lord’s heart leaped for joy to see His children. He gave each one a Great Embrace as is they were the only child of the Father- telling them- “ My Child, I have always loved you with an everlating love. Since the days of Noah, I have never forgotten you. You have never left my mind. I am filled with Joy that you are here with me. I have a place prepared for you.”
    Jesus came back to earth to see and talk to His friends giving them instructions and proving that He is the Son of the Living God.
    With that He was taken up into the Heavens where He sits today at the right hand of God the Father. The heavens, the freed captives, and the angelic host filled the heavens with great Praises to the King of Kings and they have never stopped – even unto this day- I can still hear them sing praises to the new born king, Peace on earth, goodwill toward men, Christ was born in Bethlehem -the praises to Him ring forth forever and ever.
              Amen and Glory Hallelujah! Our King is Risen.

As my Grandpa taught me to say each Easter :“Christos Anesti” and we continue to reply “Aléthos Anesti “ Which is Greek for : “Christ is Risen!” And we reply “Indeed He Has! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!”

 
 This video below was one of my favorite songs in church. I couldn’t wait to hear it each Easter. I wanted to run up and down the pews of church singing and dancing this as I stood motionless with my class- but inside I was praising my King.  I think you’ll understand the excitement of the children as they sing “The King of Glory comes a nation rejoices! Open the Gates Before Him lift up your voices! Who is this King of Glory has shall I call Him? He is Emmanuel the Promises of Ages!(Ps 24)

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
    Why are you so far away when I groan for help
I am scorned and despised by all!
 Everyone who sees me mocks me.
    They sneer and shake their heads, saying,
“Is this the one who relies on the Lord?
    Then let the Lord save him!
If the Lord loves him so much, let the Lord rescue him!”
My life is poured out like water,and all my bones are out of joint.
My heart is like wax,melting within me.
 My strength has dried up like sunbaked clay.
    My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth.
    You have laid me in the dust and left me for dead.
My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs;
    an evil gang closes in on me.
    They have pierced my hands and feet
I can count all my bones.
    My enemies stare at me and gloat.
 They divide my garments among themselves
    and throw dicefor my clothing
Ps 22

My disclaimer: I know there is A LOT of debate on wether Jesus did or did not go to hell, hades, abyss, spirits in prison(that’s another argument in itself) I have merely given you the verses to think about for yourself and my wonderings today.  “I don’t consider myself with things to great for me to grasp, but instead I have calmed and quited myself” Ps 131 🙂
                           Christ Has Risen, Indeed He Has !