The Harrowing of Hell

"Now it shall come to pass in the latter days /
That the mountain of the Lord's house /
Shall be established on the top of the mountains, /
And shall be exalted above the hills; /
And all nations shall flow to it" (Isaiah 2:2).

This book examines the power of the Gospel, not only to overcome all opposition, but to rise far above the powers of hell.

The term "Harrowing of Hell" refers to idea that Christ descended into Hell, as stated in the Apostles' Creed. It is further thought (by some, but by no means all) to mean that He made warfare against hell releasing its captives, particularly the righteous men and women of Old Testament times.

Regardless of whether Jesus set captives free who were imprisoned in hell, it is clear from Scripture that He triumphed over hell. At the cross, He defeated sin and death once and for all defeating Satan and all his works. Central to this truth is a statement made by Jesus: "But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you" (Matthew 12:28). This casting out of demons or the "harrowing of hell" was the preeminent sign that the kingdom had come on earth as it is in heaven.

Jesus taught that the kingdom of God is already here, but it has not yet grown to its fullness. The kingdom is likened to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field until it grew into a great tree (Matthew 13:31). It is also likened to leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, until the whole was leavened (Matthew 13:33). The kingdom of God is already here, but it is always progressing and growing until it spreads into the whole world. The role of the Church during history is to bring all things into captivity to Christ. Satan and the forces of hell have already been defeated - and yet still greater victory lies ahead.

"For he must reign, till he has put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death" (1 Corinthians 15:25,26).