Posted on 04/17/2019 7:27:23 PM PDT by The Ignorant Fisherman
It was after the crucifixion of the Messiah of Israel that Satan and godless Israelites rejoiced in their demonic triumph of unrighteousness. They thought that they had done away with “This Man”, this Miracle Worker, this Preacher of RIGHTEOUSNESS, this violator of the Sabbath, this One who claimed to be Almighty God the Son and it was exhilarating to their godless mind (Matt. 27, Luke 23). As the Sabbath day was about to begin these godless men made their preparation to finish “their” Feast of Passover and partake in “their” man-made traditions (Matt. 15:7-11, 23, John 18:28). Satan the original architect of darkness (John 8:44) was making plans to further His darkened Kingdom and in the delusion of his mind, rejoicing at the murder of the Messiah at the very hand of unbelieving Israel. How perfect must have this thought been in this angelic madman’s reprobate mind? The very chosen nation of Almighty God (Deut. 4:13, 7:6, Rom. 9:4-5), the Apple of His eye (Deut. 32:10, Ps. 17:8, Zech. 2:8), the beholder of all the covenants and promises for the world (Rom. 9:4-5), and nation which was to bring forth the Seed (Messiah) of Abraham (Gen. 22:18, Acts 3:25, Gal. 3:16, Rev. 12:1-5) had been Satan’s chief vessel (Acts 2:22-23, 7:51-54) in the death, violent murder, eradication and violent crucifixion of Almighty God the Son, who abided in human flesh (Isa. 9:6-7, Micah 5:2, John 1:14, 1 Tim 3:16). As these haters of reality - in the physical and spiritual world - went about their delusional godless existence after this barbaric slaying; unknown to them in the abode of the dead something else was taking place.
When the Lord Jesus willingly gave up His ghost on the cross in the ninth hour, His Spirit departed into the nether regions of the earth called Sheol or Hades, the abode of the dead.
When the Lord Jesus willingly gave up His ghost on the cross in the ninth hour, His Spirit departed into the nether regions of the earth called Sheol or Hades, the abode of the dead (Matt 12:40, Luke 16:22-31, Eph. 4:8-10, 1 Peter 3:19). This abode is where the spirits of just and unjust men awaited (some excitedly, while the majority horrifically). The Just for the first resurrection (Isa. 26:19, Dan. 12:2, Rev. 20:4-6), while the others in EXPONENTIAL fear for the Day of ETERNAL Judgment that would come at the end of time (Matt. 25:41, Rev. 20:11-15).
Sheol, the abode of the dead, which is in the center of the earth (Matt. 12:40, 1 Peter 3:19) is made up of two compartments. One called Sheol Hell, the other Sheol Paradise (Luke 16:22-31). Between these two realms is a great fixed gulf which neither side can cross (Luke 16:26). These two realms are FOREVER separated by the cross of Jesus Christ (John 3:36). Sheol Hell is where the unredeemed and unregenerate spirits of man from Cain unto the last unsaved individual of time awaits for their ETERNAL sentence in the Lake of Fire coming up at the end of time (Rev. 20:11-15). Sheol Paradise is where the redeemed from Adam to the thief on the cross await for the completion of Christ’s redemptive and atoning work on the cross (Eph. 4:8-10, 1 Peter 3:19, 4:6).
Between these two realms is a great fixed gulf which neither side can cross. These two realms are FOREVER separated by the cross of Jesus Christ.
When Jesus entered into the realm of the dead both groups saw His glorious entrance as He entered into Sheol Paradise. Oh beloved, what rejoicing to the redeemed prisoners of Death’s undeliverable hand (Heb. 2:14-15)! The very One in whom these individuals from Adam to the thief on the cross had put their trust in times past, God’s propitiation and redeemer for their sinful souls had descended down into their presence to let them know that ETERNAL salvation and deliverance was a mere 3 days away (Eph. 4:8-10, 1 Peter 3:19, 4:6)! As Jesus Christ abode in Sheol with the redeemed, the once dwellers of time and earth who had now been subject to the nether realms of Paradise rejoiced and fellowshipped with their Savior! Those who had placed their trust in Almighty God's Lamb did not esteem the world's pleasures and godless appetites but looked for a city and Maker who was Almighty God and who hungered and thirsted for RIGHTEOUSNESS more than decadence (Heb.11:13). As the third day came Jesus told those in Sheol Paradise that He would now rise because of His perfect and sinless life and ETERNAL redemption for these was now FULLY complete (Matt. 12:40, 1 Cor. 15:55, Phil 2:1-11, Rev. 1:18)!
As the tormented and lost looked across the great fixed gulf and saw Christ arising up into the realms of the physical world three days later and they fully comprehended that their doom was FOREVER sure.
As the tormented and lost looked across the great fixed gulf and saw Christ arising up into the realms of the physical world three days later and they fully comprehended that their doom was FOREVER sure. Horrified and filled with fright their hearts surged to EXPONENTIAL levels of fear. For these godless and lawless transgressors of time knew then that FOREVER their fate was sealed and they would FOREVER give a full account for their deeds in the flesh when they once walked on the earth. For the Savior of the world had paid the price and now would be Judge of ALL (Rev. 20:11-15) As Satan saw His ETERNAL Creator arise from the abode of dead, his prison hold for all of Adam's fallen race, he also was filled with absolute EXPONENTIAL dread and knew that his doom was indeed sealed (Gen. 3:14-15, John 12:31). What is absolutely amazing is that Satan is still relentless in seeking to destroy the work of God in light of the horrific dread that is as a battleship chain around his neck (John 8:44).
As Jesus arose, He made himself known to his disciples and 40 days later when He ascended into Heaven, He took with Him the spirits of the redeemed to be in His and His Father’s presence in Heaven. . As Jesus arose, He made himself known to his disciples (Matt. 28, John 21) and 40 days later when He ascended into Heaven (Acts 1:9), He took with Him the spirits of the redeemed to be in His and His Father’s presence in Heaven, to await the first resurrection from the dead in which these redeemed will receive a resurrected body of righteousness, which they will be given to perfectly serve and worship the Triune God for EVERMORE (Dan. 12:2, Eph. 4:8-10, Rev. 20:5-6, 21, 22:1-5)! This first resurrection will take place some 2000 years later at Christ glorious return to planet earth at the Battle of Armageddon when He is to reign for a 1000 years (Rev. 19:11-21, 20:4-6).
When Jesus rose from the dead and then was then seated at the Right hand of the Father forty days later (Psalm 110:1, Luke 22:69, Acts 2:34, 7:55, Heb. 12:1-2), He then ten days later on the Feast of Pentecost established His called out assembly (i.e., the church - Acts 2:1-4) made up of Jews and gentile (1 Cor. 2:13, Gal. 3:28) believers to be an exceedingly wondrous chosen vessel for His glory while Israel is set aside for a season (Rom. 9-11). This “called out assembly" (i.e., the church) would be -each member - individually given the Holy Spirit of Almighty God (John 14:16), have the risen Messiah’s and Father’s Personal indwelling (Col. 1:27), be seated spiritually at the very Right-hand of Almighty God , and blessed with ALL spiritual glory, praise and lauded as sons of the ETERNAL Father! They also would be given diverse gifts to be used for the glory and outworking of Almighty God until the Rapture. My beloved, who can even begin to comprehend the EXCEEDINGLY EXPONENTIAL wonders that the risen Messiah, the ETERNAL Son of Almighty God has done for the redeemed and for those who love Him (1 Cor. 2:9, Rev. 21, 22:1-5). My beloved, it will take all of ETERNITY to even begin to just taste the WONDERS AND ETERNAL LOVE of the Father.
My beloved, who can even begin to comprehend the EXCEEDINGLY EXPONENTIAL wonders that the risen Messiah, the ETERNAL Son of Almighty God has done for the redeemed and for those who love Him.
As Jesus ascended into the lower regions of the earth and then ascended, He took captive the very captor of the redeemed - DEATH and Sheol - and set the redeemed of Adam's race free FOREVER (Rom. 5:12-21, Eph 4:8-10).
"O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" (1 Cor. 15:55)
"I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death." (Rev. 1:18)
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25-26).
My dear friend, Do YOU believe this? Do YOU believe that Jesus IS the resurrection and the life? I pray to Almighty God that you do! For our ETERNAL destinies are based on what one has done with Jesus Christ the Savior of the world (John 3:16-17, 36). We have two groups of individuals whose destinies are FOREVER settled that testify to the living that we will be in one place or the other in FOREVER'S ETERNAL future. This Easter may you - as the thief on the cross did (Luke 23:42-43), receive Jesus Christ as your Savior. You will truly FOREVER NEVER be the same!
It wasn’t just “godless Isrealites” who celebrated the death of Christ, but just about every last soul that was there. Furthermore, each of us human beings would have nailed Christ to that cross. We are simply that sinful and evil without the Salvation and Regeneration provided by His death on that cross!
Where is it in scripture Cain is already dammed?
Sheol is the exact equivalent of hades and they both mean the state of death - not the state of being alive in some other place or state. Yes, Jesus is the one who had the power to lay down His life and to take it up again. And, yes, He is the resurrection (and the life). I guess you answer to the question, “Was Jesus dead for 3 days and nights?,” is: no, He was alive and talking and walking and doing stuff in Sheol/Hades. I’m throwing your own words back at you. I take it you get most of your imagined fancies from the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus, which by the way, is a magnificent example of exquisite satire directed by the LORD Jesus Christ at His most hated enemies. Why would He give them a glimpse of the afterlife by parting the curtains for them?
What, you don't know the bible, or just don't believe it, or both???
The debate and study of what happened to souls saved by faith before the cross (i.e. Noah, Moses) and what changed after the cross, and the veil being torn in the Holy of Holies, is a fascinating subject.
Jesus spoke of the gulf you mentioned in the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, as you mentioned. "Paradise" is not the same as Heaven, where God Himself abides, or so I am given to understand.
As it goes, after the cross, those who believe in Christ go not to Paradise, but to Heaven itself.
Another interesting debate is bodies. Believers won't be given their resurrected bodies until the Rapture. So are believers now in heaven are in what state? What changes after the Rapture for both the living and the dead believer in terms of bodies?
Again, a very interesting subject for debate.
Wow!
A lot of excellent questions posed there SP!
I understand it mostly as you explain it above.
The thief on the cross went to Paradise first, not Heaven based on Jesus’s own words in Luke. After the Resurrection, those went from Paradise to Heaven - IMHO (I could be wrong - correct me if so).
My understanding is that Believers in Heaven are in some pseudo-spiritual coherent state without a resurrected flawless body. I’d imagine they have some sort of physical form to recognize each other. Didn’t Paul or John see the Church when they were taken up? I cannot remember or better I should go back and read.
John sees those who were beheaded for Christ during the Tribulation and he didn’t know who they were in Revelation 7.
I know the Bible very well and I know what it says about Sheol and Hades, exact equivalent terms which you ignore. They mean the state of death, and if you are in the state of death you are not in the state of being alive. The biggest challenge to anyone’s faith which is also conveniently ignored: Did Jesus die and was He dead for 3 days and nights? You apparently are of the belief that He didn’t die. I on the other hand believe the Bible when it states that He did die. One of us is wrong, and I am very sure that it isn’t me.
Further, the dead know not anything and can’t praise God or anything for that matter. They are dead. God’s word says Jesus, the man in the flesh, who was alike unto us in all ways except sin, died. But, he had the power to take up His life again and He did.
May I humbly add that the Rich Man and Lazarus is not a parable, but a satire. Jesus put into words the beliefs and false teachings of the Pharisees to point out how absurd they were. I have written a paper about this, and after reading it I feel there might be a good chance you will rethink your own beliefs about this encounter with Jesus’ most hated enemies. An offer: I will email this to you or anyone else who is interested - just privately send me your email - I promise to do nothing with your email except send you my paper about the Rich Man and Lazarus. Who am I? Just someone who wants to help people allow God’s word to give its own testimony. I don’t care what man says about God’s word, I only care about God’s word.
Amen, wouldn’t disagree with one thing you stated. God so loved the world... thus... ALL the world is guilty and all crucified Jesus, Almoghty God’s PERFECT RIGHTEOUS lamb and Propitiation - John 3:16-17, 1 John 4:10, Rom. 3:23,
Correct. Most of the parables were based upon real events however this one was not. It was a common Jewish practice to tell such a fable to present a moral lesson. Everyone involved would be aware it was a fable therefore it was not deceptive in any way.
The satire does not depict real events, true. But it does demonstrate the very real absurd teachings of the rulers of the Jews who were working to keep the common people under subjugation. An example: Be content with your lot now as being poor, because conditions are reversed in the afterlife, and you will have riches. What they didn’t follow up on was the fact that, if conditions were to be reversed in the afterlife, then the rich would then be miserably poor. Point of interest: When he was alive Abraham was one of the richest men on earth and yet he is in the good side of Hades. So, why wasn’t he on the bad side, if conditions are reversed?
SP, That is my position also and it is great to have another having that insight! Almighty God’s Word truly sets us free in its absolute truth! We all will get our new PERFECT and RIGHTEOUS body at the Rapture, those with Christ now are in spirit waiting for the trumpet blast!
1 John 3:1-4
Why wouldn’t He?
Yes, ETERNAL death row... He died in His sins... Jude 1:11, 1 John 3:12... it is assumed 99.99% that he will be at the great white throne.
I’m confused by your reply. Did you mean why wouldn’t Abraham be on the bad side or did you mean why wouldn’t he be on the good side? My answer to you depends on your reply.
Do you and Sky Pilot know how the rapture theory started and when?
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