The Second Day (Revised/Revisited)
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).
There is what Christians celebrate as Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday, however much of Christ’s victory for believers stems from holding fast to Christ's continued work or love on The Second Day.
Just because the price was paid by Jesus on the cross did not mean Christ stopped working. Sometimes, our Second Day is mercifully short and other instances prove to be so long we wonder if this too shall pass. I believe a big key to keeping despair, fear and discouragement away is to remain busy with the Lord's work.
Paul, in his letter to the believers in Ephesus, quotes Psalm 68:18 in describing where Jesus was and what He did on The Second Day.
"This is why it says: 'When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.'
(What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)" - Ephesians 4:8-10
This Ephesian passage is one source that Christians receive the location of Hades somewhere deep in the bowels of the earth. Researching the original Greek for "lower, earthly regions", katoteros is the word used for "lower" and means inferior (locally, of Hades). The "earthly regions" part tell us this is an actual place beneath our feet. What was Jesus doing there? He was taking captivity captive or setting the captives free.
1 Peter 3:18-20 actually gives us a mental picture of how Christ did this.
"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built."
Here we have a little more detail. Seemingly, those who died from the days of Noah until Christ's days are the ones mentioned here as being ministered unto. And Peter echoes this notion in 1 Peter 4:6 where he states –
“For this reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.”
What did He proclaim? The power of His saving blood for the redemption of all humanity - past, present and future! I can hear an imprisoned spirit saying at that moment, "How are we going to see this salvation manifested?" Then Jesus might have replied, "You will ascend with me to Paradise after I take back my life from death, Hades and the grave and show my enemies defeated."
Paul and Timothy continue this in their letter to the believers in Colossae and include this image of the Triumphant Christ.
"When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." - Colossians 2:13-15
"The word 'triumph' is taken from the Greek word triambeuo, which is a technical word used to describe a general or an emperor returning home from a grand victory in the enemy's territory. Specifically, the word "triumph" was used to describe the emperor's triumphal parade when he returned home.
When a returning emperor or general came striding through the gates on his big, powerful, and beautiful horse, he was accompanied by his fellow victorious warriors, who also appeared glorious after their triumphant battle. As the parade followed, the weaponry and treasures seized from the enemy's territory were grandly displayed for all to see.
The grand finale to this triumphal procession was the foreign ruler himself. This ruler had been beaten and bound in chains and was now being forced to walk in disgrace, shame, dishonor, embarrassment and humiliation as crowds of people came to celebrate his defeat and to get a 'peek' at a once-powerful but now totally defeated opponent.
So when Colossians 2:15 declares that Jesus triumphed over evil powers, it is explicitly declaring that Jesus took the enemy apart piece by piece as He thoroughly 'spoiled principalities and powers'." (p.75, Sparkling Gems from the Greek, Rick Renner)
Because Christ not only overcame the world, but also overcame the prince of this world, Satan, his minions, death and the grave - the believer’s enemy is the walking dead and/or walking defeated. Because of Christ’s compassion even in Hades and His triumph over all, Christians can have a peaceful, victorious and hope-filled day, every day, especially when they feel they are experiencing their day in between. Thank the Lord for His continued love and outreach, even on The Second Day.
Paul and Timothy continue this in their letter to the believers in Colossae and include this image of the Triumphant Christ.
"When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." - Colossians 2:13-15
"The word 'triumph' is taken from the Greek word triambeuo, which is a technical word used to describe a general or an emperor returning home from a grand victory in the enemy's territory. Specifically, the word "triumph" was used to describe the emperor's triumphal parade when he returned home.
When a returning emperor or general came striding through the gates on his big, powerful, and beautiful horse, he was accompanied by his fellow victorious warriors, who also appeared glorious after their triumphant battle. As the parade followed, the weaponry and treasures seized from the enemy's territory were grandly displayed for all to see.
The grand finale to this triumphal procession was the foreign ruler himself. This ruler had been beaten and bound in chains and was now being forced to walk in disgrace, shame, dishonor, embarrassment and humiliation as crowds of people came to celebrate his defeat and to get a 'peek' at a once-powerful but now totally defeated opponent.
So when Colossians 2:15 declares that Jesus triumphed over evil powers, it is explicitly declaring that Jesus took the enemy apart piece by piece as He thoroughly 'spoiled principalities and powers'." (p.75, Sparkling Gems from the Greek, Rick Renner)
Because Christ not only overcame the world, but also overcame the prince of this world, Satan, his minions, death and the grave - the believer’s enemy is the walking dead and/or walking defeated. Because of Christ’s compassion even in Hades and His triumph over all, Christians can have a peaceful, victorious and hope-filled day, every day, especially when they feel they are experiencing their day in between. Thank the Lord for His continued love and outreach, even on The Second Day.
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