Who are the "gifts to men"? (Eph.4:8,10-11)
Are they JW elders?
Of these "gift" bearers, we read that they were "taken captive".
Eph.4: "8 As the scripture says,
"When he went up to the very heights, he took many captives with him; he gave gifts *to/in men."
*[the original Greek literally translates, "gifts to the men".
WT taught me "gifts in men", as if the men are the gifts. Not so, as we shall see.]
What are these gifts, who receive them, and who are the source of these gifts to yet others?
(Please consider 1Cor. 12:1,4,7,10-11,18,28,27; Eph.5:23,30-31,25-27; 2Pet. 3:14; Rev.19:7-8; 21:9-11)
Those who are "one body" with Jesus Christ, are his bride members
(Eph.5:30-32; 1Cor. 6:17; Gal.4:6; 2Cor. 1:22).
What does it mean to be "taken captive"?
We learn the answer to that question, by two verses... 2Cor. 10:5 and Col.2:8...
2Cor.10: "5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ"
Col.2: "8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ."
Clearly, the captivity in question, is one which governs our mind, providing us with limits and boundaries, directing the fabric of our faith and perception. Tenets which outline our morality, will dictate, restrict, and rule over our decisions and actions, by our obedience to a given belief.
Returning to Eph.4:8, we read;
"When he went up to the very heights, he took many captives with him, he gave gifts to/in men".
Where are these ones being held in captivity?
Eph.4:8 told us that they are captive "up to the very heights", the same place that Jesus went "up to".
"When" Jesus ascended, "he took" these ones "with him".
We learn from the scene of the ascension account, that in a physical aspect; Jesus ascended alone (Acts 1:9). What of a spiritual aspect, regarding ascending "up to the very heights"?
Eph.2:6 reads;
"And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus".
To be seated in the heavens, is a spiritual position. According to Jesus, that "seated" position is reserved for those who conquer the devil.
"To the one who conquers, I will grant the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I conquered and sat down with My Father on His throne." (Rev.3:21).
These tried and tested conquerors, need not wait until after death to receive this stature of being enthroned...
"Young men, I write to you because you are strong, the word of God remains in you, and you have conquered the evil one." (1John 2:14b)
"We are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Rom.8:37)
Again...
"To the one who conquers, I will grant the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I conquered and sat down with My Father on His throne." (Rev.3:21) (Isa.66:1; Eph.3:10)
And again Eph.2:6...
"And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus".
The throne upon which Jesus sits with his Father, is not physical, but is a power and authority that is exerted in a spiritual way
(Matt.28:18; Eph.1:22; Col.1:18; Luke 22:69; Ps.110:1; 1Cor. 15:25).
As we read at Rev.3:21 above, Jesus grants that same power and authority to those who join him in conquering the world and it's ruler
(John 1:14; 17:22; Luke 12:42 )
(John 16:33; 14:30; 1John 5:4-5; 4:4)...
"17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, ‘Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name. 18 He replied, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.’" (Luke10).
John 20: "22 And with that he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.’"
Who is taken up into heaven, to be seated as a king with Christ on his spiritual throne?
Rev.11:12; Heb.12:1; Eph.2:6; 1Thess. 4:17JWs, please ask yourself...
Are the "gifts in men" who are taken with Christ into the heavens to reign with him, really your local elders?
Please... wake up and "catch sight" of the trespassing impostors who were prophesied to come and trample the genuine
(Mark 13:13-14; 2Thess. 2:4; 1Cor. 3:17; Matt.24:15-16; Rev.11:2; Luke 21:24; Rev.13:10; Dan.8:13; 9:27; 11:31; 7:21; Rev.13:7,10; John 16:2; Rev.11:7,12; Dan.7:25-27)!
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