He led the captives.
“When you ascended on high, you have led captives in your train.” Psalm 68:18. In Psalm 47, David poetically describes the enthronement of Jesus Christ as the King of kings and Lord of lords on the day of his resurrection. The Bible does not specify who the captives are. Jesus ascended on high and sat down to reign as the King of kings on the day of his resurrection (John 20:17). However, Jesus led all of humankind, whom he had freed from slavery to sin and darkness, into the kingdom of Light and Righteousness and restored them to God as his children. He then received all authority (Matthew 28:16–19). The Bible also tells us that when Jesus died on the cross, graves were opened and many came to life (Matthew 27:50–53). The authors of the New Testament do not clarify whether these were the “captives” Jesus led in his train.
In Revelation, John tells us that when he went to heaven at Jesus’s invitation, he observed, “At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it! … Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads.” Revelation 4:2, 4. The white clothing represents the righteousness from God, Jesus Christ. All who surrender their old selves and accept the righteous life of Jesus Christ receive the white robes of his righteousness. The gold crown signifies our victory in Jesus Christ. In him, we are more than conquerors. Romans 8:37.
Some believe the twenty-four elders are exalted heavenly beings, members of God’s counsel. However, God is Sovereign, the eternal One. He created everything; therefore, He neither needs nor has counselors. “Who can fathom the Spirit of the LORD, or instruct the LORD as his counselor? Whom did the LORD consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge, or showed him the path of understanding?” Isaiah 40:13, 14. Therefore, if the twenty-four elders represent the redeemed, they could not be God’s counselors, no matter how righteous and holy they are. Consequently, it is reasonable to conclude that they are the captives Jesus presented as proof of his victory.
God abandoned the Savior of the world. Read the next blog.