Build on the True Foundation

~~ He led Captivity Captive ~~

Eph 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

All my life I have heard a false teaching that when Jesus arose from the grave many OT Saints also rose with him and that he then carried these folks up to heaven that same day and then returned to this earth. They say the above verse is speaking of these risen OT Saints. Did you ever hear that one? If you listened to any preachers or teachers I am quite sure we all heard this false doctrine. I have never believed that Jesus carried them up to heaven the day of his resurrection and then returned to the earth for 40 days and then went back up to heaven again. I have never heard that one till just recently. I always heard that those resurrected saints went into the natural city of Jerusalem and were seen by many folks during this 40 days before the ascension of Jesus.

I am afraid we have all been guilty of just accepting some doctrine because some preacher told us the thing. Everything God has ever taught me proved that everything others taught me was wrong. So I have learned that until God gives me the revelation of any verse, I do not know what it means and I just wait till then to teach it. But I have also been guilty of repeating the above lie about OT Saints rising at the time of the resurrection of Jesus. But one Scripture always caused me to question this matter. I could not understand why King David was not among the raised OT Saints, since he was the most prominent Saint of them all. Peter told us in Acts two that David is yet in his grave: Acts 2:29 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. 2:30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; 2:31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. 2:32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. 2:33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. 2:34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, 2:35 Until I make thy foes thy footstool. 2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

See Peter makes a point of assuring us all that David did not resurrect at the time of Jesus and that he did not ascend to heaven with Jesus. He said that David is not ascended into the heavens and that he is yet in his sepulchre or grave. This scripture has always caused me to question the thing about OT Saints resurrecting at the time of Jesus, yet I did not get into this study until a few days ago. I was debating with a ‘Jesus-only�?preacher who claimed that Jesus carried those risen saints up to heaven the same day Jesus arose and then he returned to this earth. I challenged him on this and asked for a Scripture quote saying this. Instead of trying to prove his false doctrine, he just attacked me with many ugly words and false accusations. This is their defense when they are called down on their false teachings. He knew he had no Scripture stating this lie, so he just went to calling me bad names instead of admitting this and seeking the truth. This is how people act who are not truly interested in learning truth. They try to base this lie on the fact that Jesus told Mary not to ‘touch�?me yet, for I have not ascended to my Father. Then later he told Thomas to feel me and handle me. So in their own carnal reasoning, they add to the Word of God, and make up a lie. Instead of seeking God for the true revelation, they just add something from their own mind. This is a sin punishable by eternal death in hell. Yet they fear not to do this thing over and over. They claim that between the visit with Mary and Thomas, that Jesus had ascended to heaven and back. Such a lie! They claim that leading captivity captive is speaking of carrying those raised OT Saints to heaven. Now that just did not make sense to me. If he had them still captive, what good was it?

But I want the truth, so I asked God what does that mean? I have never understood what that term means. I know it has been taught by just about everyone that it means taking those OT risen saints to heaven, but that just did not make sense to me. Also it did not make sense that David would not be among those raised saints, since he is called the man after God’s heart. So I have always questioned this matter.

A few years ago a friend and I were discussing the matter of Jesus telling Mary not to touch him. I asked God for this answer and upon reading all the scriptures on this, together, I saw that the ‘touching�?meant to worship. Thomas was not told to do that kind of ‘touch�? I need to show you that before proceeding with this message. Unless you see this you will continue to listen to the made up lies of man instead of accepting the truth of God’s word. Of course I know that most people are going to do that anyway. Very few people can accept the proven truth of God’s Word, because it crosses the lies of ‘their�?man or church.

In order to get a full picture of any event in Scripture, you must read all of the verses pertaining to that event. All of it is not told in any one verse. This is why Jesus told us to search the Scriptures and study it.

Here is what Matthew told us: Mt 28:9 And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. 28:10 Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

See that they worshipped him. Then he said to them, be not afraid: go tell my brethren. Why do you suppose Jesus told them be not afraid? It is all in the truth of leading captivity captive. This message will show you why he told these WOMEN, be not afraid. This is a most beautiful message.

Here is the only other time this is recorded: John 20:16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. 20:17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. 20:18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.

Jesus was not speaking here of Mary touching his feet with her hand. He was referring to the worship. He had not at this time been set up by God to be worshipped as our God. I know that the disciples also worshipped him when he first appeared to them. But this with Mary is the time it was revealed that it was forbidden at this time. So when Jesus told Thomas to feel and handle him, it was speaking of the mere touch of the physical hand. To Mary, he was speaking of the worship. There is not one single Scripture stating that Jesus ascended to heaven to his Father before entering that room with his disciples. So that cannot be the right answer. Any true interpretation of any verse MUST be clearly stated in some other Scripture. We cannot just make up stuff and teach it for doctrine. We must be able to quote it in the Word of God. If it is not written, it is a lie.

Now for the correct interpretation of the leading captivity captive. I asked God that night what does this mean? He spoke right back to me with this: It did not say any OT Saints rose. God revealed to me that the saints arising after the resurrection of Jesus has NOT HAPPENED YET. It is prophecy yet to be fulfilled. It fits exactly what Paul wrote in 1Corinthians 15. So, let’s prove this with the only verse stating the rising of those saints.

Mt 27:50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. 27:51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; 27:52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, 27:53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

Mt 27:54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

Now this is the only place given which states this matter. So it cannot stand alone. It has to be established with some other place in Scripture. First take close note of the fact that it does NOT say �?B>OT Saints�? as we have all been taught. ( In fact the term, OT Saints, is not once recorded in all Scripture). That is what God showed me that night as I asked him for this answer. It says, MANY BODIES of the SAINTS which slept arose. I have also run into a false teaching which says that our bodies will never be raised, that we go on to be with Jesus, in a glorified body as soon as we die. But see this said that their BODIES arose. So the Scripture proves all the false doctrines to be just that, LIES.

But notice that it also told us when. It said AFTER his resurrection. First let’s show how many arose.

Rom 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: 5:13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 5:14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

Rom 5:15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 5:16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. 5:17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)

Rom 5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. Ro 5:19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

The above Scripture has much truth in it. Notice verse 12 shows us that it was by one MAN, not some angel, who brought sin and death upon ALL men. So it was by Adam that all men became sinners. Notice verse 15. This shows that the word MANY refers to ALL. By one man death came on ALL men. Through the offence of one, MANY be dead. So this proves that the MANY is also ALL. Verse 19 shows that by this one man, Adam, many, or all, were made sinners. It also shows that by one man, Jesus, MANY were made righteous. So all were sinners. The Many who come to Jesus are ALL the righteous.

So then the MANY bodies which arose was ALL the righteous or ALL the saints who slept. It did not say OT Saints. It said MANY. So this many is the same MANY as in the above verse. It is all God’s Word, so we must find the answers from all Scripture together.

It said those that SLEPT. So let’s find that in Scripture. Prove all things with the Written Word, else it is just made up lies of man.

1Cor 15:16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: 15:17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. 15:18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.

15:19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 1Cor 15:21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

Again we have Scripture saying that ALL die in Adam. In Christ ALL shall be made alive. This ALL is the MANY who arose. Christ arose and became the first fruits of them that SLEPT.

Acts 13:35 Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 13:36 For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:

So this proves that this kind of sleep is referring to death. It shows that David slept, or died and saw corruption. Peter told us he is yet in his grave and is not, after Pentecost, yet ascended to heaven. We also know that many others are shown to be asleep when they died.

1Thes 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

When?

1Cor 15:23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

Now notice that this word, AFTERWARD, means the same thing a thing as in Matt. 28, the saints arose AFTER his resurrection. See this does not say how long or how soon AFTER his resurrection. It just said AFTER. It did not say IMMEDIATELY after. But see that Paul made it clear in 1Cor 15:23, that this is AT HIS COMING.

When?

1Cor 15:51 Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

So this shows that the resurrection of all that slept will be at the last or seventh TRUMPET. Both 1Thes 4:16 and 1Cor 15:52 says that it will be with the trump of God. This means those seven trumpets in Revelation. The seventh trumpet clearly shows to be this resurrection. Scripture must interpret Scripture. No one verse can stand alone and be rightly interpreted, for this would be a private, or ‘alone�?interpretation.

Another thing which caused me to question the false teaching was this in Hebrews: Heb 11:39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: Heb 11:40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

If you read all of chapter 11, at those mighty OT Saints of FAITH, then see that this says that WITHOUT US they should not be made perfect, or glorified. This proves to me that the OT Saints could not have been resurrected and carried to heaven before we are. Also Jesus said that the first shall be last and the last shall be first. See, absolutely nothing in Scripture shows any resurrection of OT Saints ahead of the NT Saints. All of the above Scriptures caused me to question this false teaching of the raising of OT Saints at the time Jesus was raised. Yet I had not noticed that it does NOT say OT saints, until God brought this to my attention a few nights ago. See, some man added those words to God’s word, thus making a lie and preventing people from seeing what is truly being said about this matter. And I can assure you, most people who might ever read this will hang onto their false belief and refuse the truth. Jesus said they love darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil.

Rev 20:1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 20:2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, 20:3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

Re 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

Re 20:5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Now this clearly shows that the resurrection, at the time of the setting up of the thousand years reign, is the FIRST resurrection. So no resurrection of Saints occurred at the time of the resurrection of Jesus. Paul clearly said those who are raised AFTER, will be at his coming. This ‘coming�?is NOT referring to his resurrection. It refers to his return to this earth. I know some claim that he will never return, but did it at the time of his resurrection. But see that the book of Acts, after that, said this same Jesus shall in like manner come AGAIN. So we must learn to always go by the written Word of God, not some person’s carnal interpretations.

Now the Scripture in Matt. 28, said that these risen saints went into the HOLY City. This was another ‘question�?in my mind. I know that the earthly Jerusalem is NOT any holy city. It is the mother of harlots which Jesus pronounced to be desolate. Of course this pertains to the old law system. But it is called ‘Jerusalem�? So then what is the Holy City? Again, let Scripture tell us.

Rev 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

Re 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

Now this is the only explanation in Scripture of what the Holy City truly is. It says here that it is new Jerusalem. It says that it is the bride of Christ. It says that it is the tabernacle of God. So we know then that it is our bodies, made perfect. Our body is the temple of the Lord, not some man-made building or natural city. So then, the resurrected, glorified Saints is the Holy City. So going into the Holy City means they were glorified and became part of this bride of Christ. See that it said this is after the first heaven and first earth had passed away. This does not fit back at the time of the resurrection of Jesus. So these raised saints did not go into the earthly Jerusalem and appear to people at that time, as we have been taught. This is the appearing of the saints as mentioned in Col 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

Tit 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

So this proves that we are still looking forward to glorious appearing of Jesus Christ and then we shall appear with him in glory. This is when raised saints will go into the Holy city and not before. It has not happened yet. Those who teach that the resurrection is past already, overthrow your faith and their words eat as a cancer. So beware of such false teachers.

Now that I have solidly proven, with written Scripture, that no OT Saints arose at the time of Jesus�?resurrection, I will now show you what the Word of God tells us that leading captivity captive, means.

First we must learn what the captivity is or was. What were we all in captivity to? It is sin. It is the mortal flesh, or death, which passed upon all because of sin. It is not calling the saints of God the captivity. We were the ones who were in captivity. Jesus was also in captivity to mortal flesh.

Rom 7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

Now that tells us that we were in captivity to the law of sin and that this body we are now in is a body of death. So we are all in captivity to the law of sin and death, until we come into Jesus Christ.

Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

[cont.]

[Part 2]

See then that after we come into Jesus Christ we are no longer under that condemnation to the law of sin and death, which Adam brought all into. Being in captivity, or a captive, is also the same thing as being in bondage. Bondage and captivity is the same thing. Peter shows in Acts 15 that the law of Moses was a heavy bondage. So to be under law is to be a captive or in bondage. Any slave or bond person, is to be ruled over. Jesus said that with his true people, we will not rule over others. Under grace no one rules over others. We are all ONE, or equals.

This is how God made Adam and Eve in the beginning. Only after their sin, did they fall from Grace, and therefore Adam was set to rule over his helpmeet. This actually did away with her being a helpmeet, leaving them open to all manner of sin and evil. Thus the woman was brought into bondage or made a captive to her own husband, to whom she was supposed to be a helpmeet. She could no longer do this, or be his protector, since he was made to rule over her.

God did not make Adam to rule over Eve. They did this error by disobeying God and partaking of law. The law requires animal sacrifices, which God hated. The law brings women under bondage, which God hated. The law permits servants, which God hates. So then, nothing about law pleases God. It is not his way of life. But men chose this evil way of life, because they wanted to rule over others, or to be as gods, = being looked up to and thus, worshipped. But watch what happens to THEM as they bring the woman into bondage, or captivity: Rev 13:10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

So then when the man brings others into captivity, or bondage, they themselves also go into captivity. Thus the entire race of humans was under this captivity. This sin of going to the law tree brought many, or all, into this captivity to death, or mortality.

So, man cries out, oh wretched man that I am. Who shall deliver me from this body of death. Only Jesus can deliver us. And that is just what he did. That is just what he led captive. He did not take OT saints up to heaven. This would not amount to leading captivity captive. Jesus took our sins, and our bondage, and did away with it, or led it captive. He did away with the body of sins or death. He did away with men ruling over women. He set us FREE. He told all slave owners to set them free, or give them equality. He said to break every yoke. This means stop holding anyone under bondage, or captivity. Set everyone FREE. All who refuse to do this, are themselves servants of corruption.

Gen 6:11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. 6:12 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.

So, all flesh had corrupted God’s way upon earth. God’s way was equality, or all being ONE. God had made Adam and Eve on equal grounds. Corrupt men go to his pronouncement of their punishment, where he told them the man would rule over the woman, and try to claim that this is God’s chosen way. It is not true. God did not set it this way. He was only telling them what the result of their sin was. But when Jesus came up out of that grave, he had conquered all of this sin and evil. He had perfectly obeyed God in everything. Therefore he had set the captives free. It was the Jubilee of God. All the servants, or slaves, or bondwomen, were to be set FREE. This was God’s way. Jesus alone had brought the human race into God’s Holy Way.

But what do we find? That beast rose his ugly head right back up again. The men flat refused to set the women, their own wives, FREE. It has caused the same violence, hate, and disrespect for women all over again. It robs women of their rightful place in the work and fellowship of God. It robs God of the glorious work women could and would do if they just knew they were FREE. Even when women are not married, and God puts them into His ministry, men still try to stop her and bring her back into this captivity. I have been told personally, by these hateful men, that they despise my spirit. Yes, they hate this spirit of FREEDOM. So they hate the work of Jesus, when he ascended up on high, and led this captivity captive. He did away with it. He captured this captivity and carried it away. And gave gifts to men. Men in this case means all of humanity. All of humanity was set FREE by Jesus. In Christ there is neither male nor female. Without this knowledge, you will never understand what took place here as Jesus led captivity captive.

It was not something or someone he took up to heaven. No. It was to us, still on earth, that he led us out of captivity. When he ascended up to God and set on the throne of God, he had completed this work of breaking every yoke, or the captivity of everyone. He led us out of that evil captivity. He had delivered us from the bondage of death. He had freed us from the law of sin and death. He had given us life, eternal life. Mortality had been swallowed up of life. Victory had been won. This is why Jesus told Mary not to fear. Why? He had set her free to carry that message to his men disciples. He was telling her not to fear to obey his word, to go tell my disciples that I have risen.

This is exactly why both the angel of the Lord, and Jesus, had not appeared to Peter and John when they were at the tomb. But they both waited until those men left and returned to their own home, before they appeared FIRST to Mary and spoke these words to her. FEAR NOT, MARY. I have led that captivity captive. I have done away with your punishment for sin. You are now FREE. You are now able to minister as the helpmeet I created you to be. You may how protect the man from being led astray by other men. Glory to Jesus.

See that if the captivity had been resurrected OT Saints, and Jesus led this captivity captive, it would mean they were still under captivity. This is why that saying never made any sense to me. I could not understand what this was saying, led captivity captive. I knew in my heart this is saying that whatever was the captivity was STILL being led CAPTIVE. So it was still in captivity! So if it meant leading those souls to heaven, how could they still be captive? Does not make any sense at all, yet men have always told us this is what it means. I see that none of them have sought God for His true revelation. They just took up other men’s false ideas and carried them. This is what the helpmeet was for, to protect the man from this ‘men with men�?thing. It is spiritual, not fleshly. Men with men is not natural in any spear of life. It was to be man and woman. That is how God made it.

But see that men refuse this female helpmeet, and placed her into bondage and took up men leaders, creating perverted doctrine. Everything I have ever heard men teach is lies of other men. I have not yet heard one man teaching the real truth. This desire to rule over others and be gods has blocked them from FREEDOM. They are still in that captivity of bondage of law. By the law, men rule over others. It is not so in grace. So they are all still in the captivity and have not accepted the deliverance Jesus gave. It was not so in that early apostolic church. The women worked in the gospel right along side the men. Paul and Peter both mentioned the women who worked with them in the GOSPEL. Mary and Elizabeth both prophesied the Word of God. So did Hannah, Samuel’s mother. Many other women prophesied the Word of God and it is recorded in Scripture. Yet these bondage-keepers, men who refuse to set the captives free, refuse to acknowledge any of this. So all they could come up with was a false doctrine that many OT Saints rose back then, and having been in captivity, were led captive still by Jesus. Since they have corrupted the way of God on earth, they cannot find any truth.

Jesus came and set back up the way of God on this earth. This is why he appeared first to a woman, and commissioned her to carry the very first message of the gospel of Grace to the men. He had led that captivity captive. He had delivered us from the bondage of CORRUPTION.

Being in captivity is exclusively and Old Testament way of life. Jesus delivered us in the New Testament, or Grace, from captivity. The opposite is for us, which is FREEDOM. If a person is still under captivity, or bondage, they are still under the law, or that old covenant, which God did away with. Jesus led that captivity captive, and then gave the gifts of the Spirit and the ministry to men, (humanity). Sure, the rules for that law are written in the NT Scriptures, because that old head of law raised right back up. Men refused this freedom which Jesus gave all people. They wanted to keep their servants, their ‘in-bondage-wives�? So because of this, they themselves are also still in bondage to that law. By the law is no justification of life. It is not of faith. Faith takes us back to God’s original way of life, which is EQUALITY, or you are ALL ONE.

The ultimate result of this freedom is the bondage of mortality being done away with. This occurs at the resurrection. So Jesus was given his immortal body at his resurrection. This is the full deliverance from the captivity to corruption. This full deliverance will be given to only those who accept and give full freedom. These are the many saints who arose AFTER his resurrection, at his coming, and are given their glorified bodies, or complete deliverance from corruption. Law is corruption of God’s way on earth. Men ruling over their wives or anyone else is corruption of God’s way on earth. Jesus led this captivity captive. He did away with it. In its place is no condemnation, no bondage, no captivity, no more captives.

Look up captivity and captive. You will see that it is all over the Old Testament. The places it is mentioned in the New Testament are referring back to that captivity of the OT. It is amazing to me that there are only three times in all Scripture where this term is used together, captivity captive. Here they are: Jud 5:12 Awake, awake, Deborah: awake, awake, utter a song: arise, Barak, and lead thy captivity captive, thou son of Abinoam.

Awake also means the resurrection. So see here that it is speaking of the resurrection, (in spirit) of this lady ruler of Israel, Deborah. Utter a song. This refers to the New move of God, resurrection. Barak would not go to the battle unless Deborah went with him. So he is told also to arise, and lead thy captivity captive. It is purely prophecy for what Jesus did. They did it in the type, and Jesus did it for all time. They, Deborah and Barak, led those who held them in captivity, captive. In other words, they took their oppressors captive. Those who held them in bondage were taken into bondage or captivity. But notice, that this was a job which was done only by the male and female working together. Barak, a type of Christ, here, would not go to the battle without Deborah. How different the men of the church today are. They refuse the help of the Deborah’s.

The only other time this is mentioned in the OT was in prophecy for the time when Jesus did this: Ps 68:18 Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.

This is the same as the one time in the NT: Eph 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

So then, since this is the only three times this term is used in all the Word of God, it cannot refer to any other event. So no one can use this and prove that it meant taking some resurrected saints to heaven back then. It is certainly not true. It comes from the corrupted minds of corrupt men who hold the truth in unrighteousness and refuse to accept the freedom Jesus brought to us ALL. They think only men were set free. So their corrupt minds could not get this truth. They follow other men’s lies and have not the anointing of God teaching them truth.

So now, let’s examine that entire passage and see the wonderful truth revealed here: Eph 4:7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 4:9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 4:10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Notice verse 7. Grace is given to every one of us, men and women alike. It is according to the measure of the gift of Christ. See he gave us this gift. But it can only come to those who accept his deliverance of all the captives, including women. Then it puts down the false teaching that it was some other Jesus who did this. But see it shows that it is the very same Jesus who descended first into the lower parts of the earth. It is the very same one who descended which ascended up. This same Jesus will come again in like manner as you see him go. Then He gave the gifts for the ministry, for the perfecting of the saints till we all come into the unity of the faith that he gave us. Till we all come unto the stature of a perfect man. See then that all humans of faith, both men and women, are included in this one perfect MAN. It is the fullness of Christ Jesus in his body, the pure Church. We grow up so we are no more tossed about by the false winds of doctrine by cunning men who lie in wait to deceive you. The whole body grows up and is fitly joined TOGETHER, BEING nourished by that which EVERY JOINT SUPPLIES.

Now there is the problem with this modern world church. They do not allow the female joints of this whole body to act in their part of the gift, to nourish the body with their gift. See that every joint must supply something to this body. But men who desire to rule over others, denying them this freedom from captivity, will not allow the joints to act as a whole. They refuse the nourishment being supplied by the women of this body. They are part of this whole body, and therefore MUST supply their part of nourishment to the body, in order for it to ever grow up to this full statue of the Man, Christ Jesus.

So all the men who refuse to set women FREE, give them their rightful place in the ministry, of feeding the body of Christ, are blocking this body from maturing into the perfect statue of this full grown man, Christ. And as is plain from looking around you, and also from the Word of God, this last church is in the worst shape of them all. It is dead. It is not even alive anymore. They have killed it by starvation. The men of this church have refused to allow the women joints to nourish this church, so it died. So the body which matures rightly will not include these kinds of men. Only a body working in perfect harmony with every other part, will become part of this perfect MAN, or body of Christ.

Awake, Awake, Deborah. Arise Barak. Lead thy captivity captive. See? It took them both, male and female. The spirit and the BRIDE (female) say come. Even so, come Lord Jesus.

Isa 58:6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?

Isa 59:14 And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.

Isa 61:1 The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

Re 22:2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

By: Jo Smith ~~~July 4, 2007

Important Announcement The MSN Groups service will close in February 2009. You can move your group to Multiply, MSN’s partner for online groups. Learn More
Build on the True Foundation	[email protected]