The Deliverance of Captives in Biblical History and Prophecy

Jesus Christ led a multitude of captives from their graves at the time of His ascension, having broken the power of death after His crucifixion3SG 12.1+1. While specific numbers for every instance are not always provided, various records highlight the following groups of captives and prisoners:

Captives of Christ’s Resurrection and Ascension

• A Multitude of Captives: At the moment of His ascension, Christ led a "multitude of captives" from their prison cells in the grave3SG 12.1+1.

• The Seventy Weeks: Within the prophetic period of seventy weeks determined upon the Jewish people, the Messiah was to be "cut off" in the middle of the last week Daniel 9:24-27LUJ 178.1+1. This period, totaling 490 years, began in 457 B.C. and saw its midpoint at the crucifixionSDP 131.1+1.

Biblical and Historical Accounts of Captives

• The Midianite Spoil: In a historical census of persons taken as tribute for the Lord from the captives of Midian, the number was thirty-two persons out of sixteen thousand Numbers 31:40.

• Abraham’s Trained Servants: When Abraham’s brother was taken captive, he armed three hundred and eighteen trained servants born in his house to rescue him Genesis 14:14ARSH October 1, 1861, page 138.4.

• The Roman Shipwreck: During the journey where Paul was a prisoner being conveyed to Rome, there were three hundred souls on board the ship that was eventually wrecked at MelitaLP 265.2+1.

• The Captivity of Judah: The Lord declared that after seventy years of bondage in Babylon, He would turn away the captivity of His people and gather them from all nations Jeremiah 29:10-144T 172.2.

• The Fall of Rome: During the fourteen-day pillage of Rome by Genseric, the wealth of the city and its people were delivered as captives to the VandalsGNT 30.2.

The Work of Deliverance

• Proclaiming Liberty: Christ’s primary mission was to preach "deliverance to the captives" and to "set at liberty them that are bruised" Luke 4:18YI August 16, 1894, par. 5+2.

• Breaking Satan’s Power: Through His own death and resurrection, Christ proved He had the power to ransom those whom Satan had made his captives10MR 160.1.

• Spiritual Captivity: Every person who commits sin is considered a bond-servant or slave to sin John 8:34SAJC 7.6+1. Deliverance from this state is found only by becoming one with Christ, which restores a person to perfect manhood and true libertyTe 110.2.

I hope these details regarding the captives mentioned in the scriptures and history bring clarity to your study! 🌟