Posted on 04/13/2014 11:16:00 AM PDT by wmfights
Question: "Did Jesus go to hell between His death and resurrection?"
Answer: There is a great deal of confusion in regards to this question. This concept comes primarily from the Apostles' Creed, which states, “He descended into hell.” There are also a few Scriptures which, depending on how they are translated, describe Jesus going to “hell.” In studying this issue, it is important to first understand what the Bible teaches about the realm of the dead.
In the Hebrew Scriptures, the word used to describe the realm of the dead is sheol. It simply means the “place of the dead” or the “place of departed souls/spirits.” The New Testament Greek equivalent of sheol is hades which also refers to “the place of the dead.” Other Scriptures in the New Testament indicate that sheol/hades is a temporary place, where souls are kept as they await the final resurrection and judgment. Revelation 20:11-15 gives a clear distinction between the two. Hell (the lake of fire) is the permanent and final place of judgment for the lost. Hades is a temporary place. So, no, Jesus did not go to hell because hell is a future realm, only put into effect after the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15).
Sheol/hades is a realm with two divisions (Matthew 11:23, 16:18; Luke 10:15, 16:23; Acts 2:27-31), the abodes of the saved and the lost. The abode of the saved was called “paradise” and “Abraham's bosom.” The abodes of the saved and the lost are separated by a “great chasm” (Luke 16:26). When Jesus ascended to heaven, He took the occupants of paradise (believers) with Him (Ephesians 4:8-10). The lost side of sheol/hades has remained unchanged. All unbelieving dead go there awaiting their final judgment in the future. Did Jesus go to sheol/hades? Yes, according to Ephesians 4:8-10 and 1 Peter 3:18-20.
Some of the confusion has arisen from such passages as Psalm 16:10-11 as translated in the King James Version, “For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption....Thou wilt show me the path of life.” “Hell” is not a correct translation of this verse. A correct reading would be “the grave” or “sheol.” Jesus said to the thief beside Him, “Today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). Jesus’ body was in the tomb; His soul/spirit went to the “paradise” side of sheol/hades. He then removed all the righteous dead from paradise and took them with Him to heaven. Unfortunately, in many translations of the Bible, translators are not consistent, or correct, in how they translate the Hebrew and Greek words for “sheol,” “hades,” and “hell.”
Some have the viewpoint that Jesus went to “hell” or the suffering side of sheol/hades in order to further be punished for our sins. This idea is completely unbiblical. It was the death of Jesus on the cross and His suffering in our place that sufficiently provided for our redemption. It was His shed blood that effected our own cleansing from sin (1 John 1:7-9). As He hung there on the cross, He took the sin burden of the whole human race upon Himself. He became sin for us: “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). This imputation of sin helps us understand Christ's struggle in the garden of Gethsemane with the cup of sin which would be poured out upon Him on the cross.
When Jesus cried upon the cross, “Oh, Father, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46), it was then that He was separated from the Father because of the sin poured out upon Him. As He gave up His spirit, He said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” (Luke 23:46). His suffering in our place was completed. His soul/spirit went to the paradise side of hades. Jesus did not go to hell. Jesus’ suffering ended the moment He died. The payment for sin was paid. He then awaited the resurrection of His body and His return to glory in His ascension. Did Jesus go to hell? No. Did Jesus go to sheol/hades? Yes.
I wouldn't be surprised, but as the article points out there are Scriptural references that point to this explanation.
Are you a Dispensationalist?
I believe He was there until the payment for believer’s sin was complete. If He did not then His soul did not suffer the punishment for my sins which is eternal death in hell. No river, no tree of life. Was Jesus the first to go to hell? We have to believe our sin debt is paid.
However, now I am questioning that, He did not have a body. The resurrected will have bodies, but will those going to hell have bodies?
There are souls before the throne asking God how long it will be before the return, so how does that come into play?
The wrath of God against evil nations will be the tribulation, how is the death of Jesus fulfilling the wrath of God against the individual?
God does say in Ezekiel 18 and 33 that may bear upon our judgment day. Weighing our evil against our righteous acts.
As usual, more questions. Always wondering.
As I sat in church this morning I thought the message would be about Palm Sunday so I went to Luke to read about His trip to Jerusalem. The last thing He said (in Luke 19:27) before climbing the hill to enter the city was “But these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slay them in my presence.” (it was the conclusion of the talent parable) My first thought was why are we not afraid of Jesus? Has the church been overcompensating for the righteous judgment of God the Father that we are afraid to teach that it is Jesus who will be sending those who reject Him to hell? Teaching the Word with the Father and Son as one is the issue. On a side note, today was the first day I heard a pastor say that Jesus returns as a Warrior King. Oohrah. No liberal rules of engagement from Him! Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing! So Be It.
The article points out the distinction between Hades and Hell and the two parts of Hades.
Jesus went to Paradise and led "captivity captive". IOW he took the Old Testament Saints to Heaven.
Are you a Dispensationalist?
Are you a Dispensationalist?
Well of course the place we know of as Detroit was not there. But the place where Detroit would be, was there.
Clear? I know...not clear at all!
Nice succinct explanation.
I thought the article was pretty straightforward.
Thank you.
I thought the article did a good job of showing from Scripture why this makes sense. Any future reference to "the gates of Hell" are mute because Jesus already kicked them down.
Are you a Dispensationalist?
He was separated from God for those three days.
Hosea 6
1
Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.
2
After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.
Mat 27
50
Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.
51
And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
52
And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
53
And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
54
Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.
This was done for a sign but these are the ones referred to in Hosea who were awakened after the second day and arose the third day.
You could say that without argument from me. God is a personal life between the individual and his Creator.
Jesus is my path to the Creator.
The rest is just rock-n-roll.
I read a book on the subject about a year ago along the same lines. It made alot of sense and opened my eyes to some of the misnomers about hades/shoul.
Jesus’ spirit went to God (Who is spirit), His body went to the grave, and His soul went to Abraham’s bosom/Paradise/Sheol. When He resurrected, His soul, body, and spirit were rejoined, and He ascended to Heaven as our Eternal High Priest to place His Blood before The God on the Heavenly Mercy Seat as the Everlasting Incorruptible Sacrifice. He then came back to earth and walked with His disciples for 40 days, before re-ascending.
That’s pretty much what my (former) pastor said when we were going through Romans as well. Thanks for the sermon and God Bless! Happy Resurrection day!!
I thought the article did a good job of showing from Scripture why this makes sense.
Romans ch 8
28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
29
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30
Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
Paul is talking about people who have already been resurrected (glorified )
These are the same ones referred to in Hosea 6:2 and Mat 27:51,53
It will be wonderful to hear what the Old Testament Saints were thinking when Jesus Christ kicked down those gates when we get to heaven.
The Apostle’s Creed?
I don’t know what you’re alluding to.
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