He that descended is the same also that
ascended
It was the same divine Person, the Son of God, who assumed human
nature, and suffered in it, which is meant by his descent, who in
that nature ascended up to heaven: this proves that Christ
existed before he took flesh of the virgin; and that though he
has two natures, yet he is but one person; and disproves the
Popish notion of the descent of Christ's soul into Limbus or
hell, locally taken: and this ascension of his was,
up far above all heavens:
the visible heavens, the airy and starry heavens; Christ ascended
far above these, and went into the third heaven, the holiest of
all; and this is expressive of the exaltation of Christ, who is
made higher than the heavens; and the end of his ascension was,
that he might fill all things,
or "fulfil all things"; that were types of him, or predicted
concerning him; that as he had fulfilled many things already by
his incarnation doctrine, miracles, obedience, sufferings, death,
and resurrection from the dead; so he ascended on high that he
might accomplish what was foretold concerning his ascension to
heaven, and session at the right hand of God, and answer to the
type of the high priest's entering once a year into the holiest
of all: or that he might complete, perfect, and fill up all his
offices; as the remainder of his priestly office, his
intercession for his people; and more finally his prophetic
office by the effusion of his Spirit; and more visibly his kingly
office, by sending forth the rod of his strength out of Zion, and
subduing the people under him: or that he might fill all places;
as God he fills all places at once being infinite, immense, and
omnipresent; as man, one after another; at his incarnation he
dwelt with men on earth at his crucifixion he was lifted up
between heaven and earth; at his death he descended into the
lower parts of the earth, into hell, "Hades", or the grave; and
at his resurrection stood upon the earth again, and had all power
in heaven and in earth given him; and at his ascension he went
through the airy and starry heavens, into the highest heaven; and
so successively was in all places: or rather that he might fill
all persons, all his elect, both Jews and Gentiles; and so the
Arabic version renders it, "that he might fill all creatures"; as
the Gentiles were called; particularly that he might fill each
and everyone of his people with his grace and righteousness, with
his Spirit, and the fruits of it, with spiritual knowledge and
understanding, with food and gladness, with peace, joy and
comfort; and all his churches with his gracious presence, and
with officers and members, and all with gifts and graces suitable
to their several stations and work.