Many people today in Christendom fail to realize the victory that the Son of God accomplished at the cross. They fail to understand the significance of it and posit the cross in such a way that almost promotes Jehoshua as a victim rather than a victor. The churches misunderstanding of what Jehoshua's death on the cross meant has led to an defeatist mentality concerning this life and has led to an escapist eschatology among most Christians.
It's important to remember that Jehoshua willingly went to the cross and had the power to not go as given him by the Father. This shows that Jehoshua was not some hapless victim but rather he was accomplishing his victory by willingly submitting to the Father's will that he be the lamb offering of the new covenant.
John 10:17-18
17 Therefore doth the Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again.
18 No one taketh it away from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment received I from my Father.
This passage shows the absolute strength of the Son of God Jehoshua in that he was not a victim of circumstance as he knew exactly what he had to do and he willingly did it even though he didn't have to.
Romans 1:1-4
1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called [to be] an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, 2 which he promised afore through his prophets in the holy scriptures, 3 concerning his Son, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 4 who was declared [to be] the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead; [even] Jesus Christ our King.
The resurrection of Jehoshua provided him with the throne of David as prophesied throughout the scriptures. He was declared to be the Son of God with power by the Holy Spirit upon his resurrection which means he was no longer the suffering servant but the conquering King. Of course, Jehoshua was the Son of God before his resurrection but after his resurrection he was now the Son of God with power meaning he was enthroned as King on the throne of David hence the reference to him being of the seed of David.
Both Acts 2 and 13 connect the resurrection of Jehoshua with him fulfilling the Davidic covenant and receiving the sure mercies of David i.e. the throne of David.
Acts 3:12-15
12 And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this man? or why fasten ye your eyes on us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made him to walk?13 The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Servant Jehoshua; whom ye delivered up, and denied before the face of Pilate, when he had determined to release him. 14 But ye denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted unto you, 15 and killed the Prince of life; whom God raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.
By raising up Jehoshua from the dead the Father Jehovah was glorifying His servant to Kingship (the Prince of life, verse 15). The apostolic ekklesia preached the resurrection as the Messiah's victory over death and his ascension to the throne of David. This was the message that infuriated both the established religion of the Pharisees and the Roman empire as Jehoshua's Kingship was an affront to both the Edomite king Herod and the Roman emperor.
Acts 17:6-7
6 And when they found them not, they dragged Jason and certain brethren before the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; 7 whom Jason hath received: and these all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jehoshua.
What was the gospel message that was turning the world upside down? It was the doctrine that Jehoshua is King. Notice the present tense aspect of that statement as they were preaching that there is (present tense) another King, one Jehoshua. They were not preaching futurism or a defeatist escapist doctrine of waiting for Jehoshua to one day be King as they believed and taught that he was already King. The doctrine of Jehoshua's Kingship was turning the world upside down whereas today's gospel is barely making a dent in modern society despite there being so many professing Christians.
Hebrews chapter 1 is a detailed description of what took place at Jehoshua's ascension into heaven and it is all about the fulfillment of the Davidic covenant and Jehoshua being installed on the throne of David.
Hebrews 2:14-15
14 Since then the children are sharers in flesh and blood, he also himself in like manner partook of the same; that through death he might bring to nought him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15 and might deliver all them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
Through his death Jehoshua brought to nothing the devil and the power of death itself. Even though the devil is still active and we still have death, both of those things have lost their power for those who believe that Jehoshua is the Son of God. We now no longer need to fear death because like Jehoshua we will be resurrected to immortality. The devil also has no power over those who put their trust in the risen Messiah as we have been translated from his kingdom into the Kingdom of God's dear Son (Colossians 1:13). Through Jehoshua's life, death and resurrection we have been given authority to tread on serpents and scorpions:
Luke 10:18-20
18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan fallen as lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall in any wise hurt you. 20 Nevertheless in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven
The spirits of Satan's kingdom are subject to the saints therefore he (Satan) has no power over us as the Son of God, through his Kingdom mission, bound Satan and spoiled his kingdom. Jehoshua gave us authority to tread on Satan and his Kingdom and put Satan's principalities under our authority. Too many Christians make the devil more powerful than he really is and make him into a boggeyman. The truth is that Satan and his kingdom are in fear of those who truly follow the Son of God. We have this authority due to the life, death and resurrection of the Messiah which shows that the cross was a monumental victorious moment in history.
John 12:23-24
23 And Jehoshua answereth them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. 24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a grain of wheat fall into the earth and die, it abideth by itself alone; but if it die, it beareth much fruit. 25 He that loveth his life loseth it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
The cross was Jehoshua's glory as he stated that unless he died he would be alone and the subsequent victory would not be realized. That victory was his death that produced much fruit i.e. his Kingdom. Jehoshua had to die and be resurrected so that he can be glorified into Kingship. If he had not offered himself on the cross and lived out his life he would have just been another righteous teacher but because he loved not his life in this world he gained eternal life via resurrection and drew all men unto himself:
John 12:31-32
31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. 32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto myself.
As a result of Jehoshua's victory on the cross Satan was defeated in the war in heaven (Revelation 12) and he was cast out into the earth. Jehoshua's death on the cross and subsequent resurrection gave the world no excuse for their sin and by their rejection of the Son of God they are judged (John 3:16-18). All men (nations, tribes and tongues) have been drawn to the Son of God through his resurrection and ascension which gave him the sure mercies of David (Acts 13:32-35).
Colossians 2:14-16
14 having blotted out the bond written in ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us: and he hath taken it out that way, nailing it to the cross; 15 having despoiled the principalities and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. 16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a feast day or a new moon or a sabbath day:
Jehoshua blotted out the debt of sin that was against us (Israel) and nailed it to the cross taking it out of the way. By his death and resurrection Jehoshua brought in the new covenant which promises that Jehovah God will blot out our sins (Jeremiah 31:31-34). Through the cross Jehoshua despoiled (stripped) the principalities and powers (government authorities) of Satan's kingdom. Jehoshua made a show of Satan's kingdom and openly conquered it through his resurrection triumphantly being enthroned as King on David's throne (Acts 2:29-36).
"he made a show of them openly"
This he did by the preaching of the apostles and the early ekklesia. This continues through true followers of the Messiah throughout all generations. As we proclaim the gospel of 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 we openly expose Satan's kingdom as being conquered by the risen and glorified Son of God.
Because of Jehoshua's resurrection we are not subject any longer to the man made traditions of religion whether they be purporting to be Christian or otherwise (verse 16).
Revelation 1:5-6
5 and from Jesus Christ, [who is] the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loveth us, and loosed us from our sins by his blood; 6 and he made us [to be] a kingdom, [to be] priests unto his God and Father; to him [be] the glory and the dominion for ever and ever. Amen
Via Jehoshua's resurrection he was begotten into Kingship and made higher than the kings of the eAmen (Psalm 89:27). Again, this shows that the resurrection of Jehoshua brought him onto the throne of David. The title of first begotten denotes his place as King in Jehovah's Kingdom as well as him being the first human ever to be resurrected to eternal life.
By Jehoshua's atoning blood he cleansed his people (Israel) from their sins. Jehoshua's death on the cross was a manifest token of his love for Israel (Judah and Ephraim). By Jehoshua fulfilling the day of atonement his people were also begotten into Kingship i.e. kings and priests. The Son of God's death and resurrection was not only a victory but also his people as it was the inauguration of a Kingdom.
1 Peter 3:21-22
21which also after a true likeness doth now save you, even baptism, not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the interrogation of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jehoshua Messiah; 22 who is one the right hand of God, having gone into heaven; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
Peter, like the rest of the new testament, connects the resurrection of Jehoshua with his enthronement on the right hand of Jehovah God. This alludes to Psalm 110:1 which is a Davidic covenant fulfillment. The fulfilling of the covenant is that a royal seed of David would establish the Davidic dynasty forever. Via Jehoshua's resurrection and ascension the angels, authorities and powers are now subject unto him. Truly Jehoshua is the King of kings and Lord of lords showing that the cross is far from an event that is defeatist but rather it is Jehoshua's crowning achievement.
