Topical Encyclopedia
Ascendancy refers to the state of having dominant power or influence over others. In the biblical context, ascendancy can be seen in various forms, including spiritual, moral, and political dominance. The concept is often associated with God's sovereignty, the authority of Jesus Christ, and the influence of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers.
Divine AscendancyThe Bible frequently emphasizes the ascendancy of God over all creation. God's sovereignty is a central theme, highlighting His ultimate authority and control over the universe. In
Isaiah 46:10 , God declares, "I declare the end from the beginning, and ancient times from what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’" This verse underscores God's supreme power and His ability to bring His plans to fruition.
Christ's AscendancyThe New Testament reveals the ascendancy of Jesus Christ, particularly through His resurrection and exaltation.
Philippians 2:9-11 states, "Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." This passage highlights Christ's exalted position and His ultimate authority over all creation.
Spiritual AscendancyBelievers are called to live under the ascendancy of the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to guide and influence their lives.
Romans 8:14 affirms, "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God." This verse indicates that spiritual ascendancy involves submission to the Holy Spirit's leading, resulting in a life that reflects God's will and purpose.
Moral AscendancyThe Bible also speaks to the moral ascendancy that believers are to exhibit in their conduct. In
Matthew 5:14-16 , Jesus instructs His followers, "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." This passage calls Christians to live in a way that influences others positively, demonstrating moral ascendancy through their actions.
Political AscendancyThroughout the Bible, there are instances of political ascendancy, where individuals or nations rise to positions of power. The account of Joseph in Genesis is a prime example. Despite being sold into slavery, Joseph rises to become the second most powerful man in Egypt.
Genesis 41:40 records Pharaoh's words to Joseph: "You shall be in charge of my house, and all my people are to obey your commands. Only with regard to the throne will I be greater than you." Joseph's ascendancy is portrayed as part of God's providential plan to preserve His people.
ConclusionAscendancy in the Bible encompasses divine, spiritual, moral, and political dimensions. It reflects God's ultimate authority, the exaltation of Christ, the influence of the Holy Spirit, and the call for believers to live impactful lives. Through these various forms of ascendancy, the Bible reveals the overarching theme of God's sovereign rule and His desire for His people to reflect His glory in the world.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) Alt. of Ascendance.
Strong's Hebrew
2388. chazaq -- to be or grow firm or strong, strengthen... himself securely (1), fasten (1), fastens (1), fierce (1), firm (2), firmly (2),
firmly in his grasp (1), forces (1), fortified (1), gain
ascendancy (1), gave
...Library
The Division Between East and West
... [Sidenote: Reasons for Romanascendancy.].... Peter and St. Paul, all tended to give
it a moralascendancy which was gradually claimed as a right....
From the Flood to Abraham
... Theirascendancy, however, soon passed.... During that period of theascendancy of
the Shemites not much was known of the descendants of Japheth....
The Reign of David.
... On account of rival leaders, there was constant warfare between these two rival
kings. The kingdom of Judah, however, gradually gained theascendancy....
The Essential Elements of Christian Experience.
... The appetites have already secured theascendancy. The mind seems to act as
if scarcely aware that it has a soul or any spiritual wants....
Attributes of Selfishness.
... Sometimes one propensity, and sometimes another, has the greatest natural strength,
and thereby gains theascendancy in the control of the will....
Family Habits.
... Every such omission but forms and increases the habit, until it gains anascendancy
over our sense of duty, and at last exhibits its sovereign power in our...
The Rival Empresses --Pulcheria and Eudocia
... She strengthened the influence of the senate and supported it in the reform of many
abuses which had crept in during theascendancy of the eunuchs of the...
Egypt
... The invasion of the Egyptian king prevented Rehoboam from attempting to reconquer
the revolted tribes, and in the days of Assyrianascendancy it was Egypt that...
Hebrew Captives; Or, Mordecai and Esther.
... with the Persians. Both seemed to have become one nation; first the Medes
gaining theascendancy, and then the Persians. But the...
The Dawn of Mind
... yet not more light than sound or touch"called consciousness, the first flicker of
memory, the gradual governance of will, the silentascendancy of reason...
Thesaurus
Ascendancy (1 Occurrence)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Alt. of Ascendance. Multi-Version Concordance
Ascendancy (1 Occurrence). Daniel 11:5 The king of the
...Ascended (48 Occurrences)
Urim (8 Occurrences)
... 30:7, 8), and also after the death of Saul (2 Samuel 2:1; 2 Samuel 5:19, 23;
21:1). After the days of David, prophecy was in theascendancy, and, accordingly...
Desolation (131 Occurrences)
... fast to the strict ideal of the scribes. The former gradually came into
ascendancy. Judea was rapidly becoming Hellenistic in all...
Daphne
... demoralized the imperial city. The decline of Daphne dates from the days
of Christianascendancy in the reign of Julian. The place is...
Captivate (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To acquireascendancy over by reason of some art or attraction; to fascinate;
to charm; as, Cleopatra captivated Anthony; the orator captivated all...
Antediluvians
... Winchell, Pre-adamites, 449) that the first number gives the age of actual life
of the individual while the second gives that of theascendancy of his family...
Asmoneans
... The Asmonean struggle is therefore, in all its phases, a three-sided one, and
it makes theascendancy of the family all the more remarkable....
Sargon (1 Occurrence)
... A year later he was murdered. It was during his reign that the height of Assyrian
ascendancy had been reached. AT Clay. Multi-Version Concordance...
Thummim (6 Occurrences)
... 30:7, 8), and also after the death of Saul (2 Samuel 2:1; 2 Samuel 5:19, 23;
21:1). After the days of David, prophecy was in theascendancy, and, accordingly...
Resources
What is the significance of the Medo-Persian Empire in biblical history? | GotQuestions.orgAscendancy: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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