Ephesians 4:8

“This is why it says:

when he ascended on high

he led captives in his train

and gave gifts to men.”

Paul uses this verse from Psalm 68:18 to explain his argument that we have all been given a measure of grace as Christ has apportioned it. Paul we'll see in a few vs go on to list the ministry gifts comma sometimes called the ascension gifts.

Paul is arguing that the grace given to a each of us comes from Christ. This is a gift given to us from Christ’s ascension.

Christ ascended to Heaven forty days after he rose from the dead. We are told in Acts 1:11 that “ this same Jesus who has been taken from you into heaven will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

Christ ascended “on high,” that is all the way to heaven. It was a physical ascension, so Jesus literally rose up to heaven. it was not just a symbolic or virtual ascension. He will come back in the same way, physically and full of glory.

when the ascension took place, Paul says, He led a train of captives. It was a common practice in ancient times for a conquering general to return with a procession of prisoners of war, captured slaves, and the like.

when Jesus ascended, he led a captive procession of bound demons and the legions of hell. We should not get to caught up with the chronology of events here. It did not occur on the day of ascension. Rather the ascension is, so to speak, the event which seals and foreshadows the literal event.

the cross and the resurrection destroyed the power of Satan to hold humanity in bondage. The fact that sin continues to dominate many people is not a sign of the failure of the cross. The verdict has been pronounced, “Not guilty”, but many people voluntarily return to the guilt of sin and the captivity it engenders.

there will be, on the day of the Lord, a victory procession. Those evil spirits that have sought to undermine the kingdom of God will be the first to be thrown into the Lake of Fire. They will be followed by all who have lived in unrighteousness and refused to bow their knee to the Lord.

So Jesus leads this captive train, this victory procession, rejoicing in the fruit of His death on the cross .

Out of the ascension, also, Jesus has given many gifts and graces to people .

every one of Christ's followers has received grace upon grace. We might list some of these gifts:

• Salvation- we have been saved from eternal punishment

• eternal life- we will live with Christ for ever in the new heavens and the new earth

• abundant life - a life of purpose and calling in God’s Kingdom

• Holy Spirit - equipping us to be God’s children and blessing us with fellowship with God

• Victory over sin

• joy

• fellowship with other believers

• the church

• gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit

• victory over every form of violent persecution

• Grace to be Christ’s witnesses and make disciples of all nations

these are some of the gifts, poured out upon people in the ascension of Christ.

key points in this verse

• Christ ascended to heaven and will return

• The ascension is a forerunner of a victory parade

• Christ has conquered all the forces of hell

• He has given to us many gifts