Subject: Cite Scripture Jesus descended to hell |
Bible Note: Steve Prayon Jesus did go to hell, however it wasn't the place we commonly think of when we say hell. Hell, Hades, Sheol is the Jewish term for the holding place of the dead. In Luke 16;19-31 we see Jesus give us a glimpse of this. It is divided into two sections one called the hot dry place and the other paradise or Abraham's bosom. When someone died before Christ's death he went either to the hot dry place if he was unrighteous or the Abraham’s bosom if he was depending on the Messiah for salvation. When Jesus died he along with the repentant thief on the cross went to hell but to the side called paradise or Abraham's bosom. There Jesus preached the Good News and lead Captivity Captive to heaven Eph 4:8. The only thing left in hell today is the unrighteous awaiting the great white throne of judgement. Today the use of the word hell to refer to the hot dry place is correct since it is the only part that exists, but that was not the case at Jesus' time. Remember the ultimate resting place of the unrighteous is not Hell but rather the Lake of Fire. Rev 20:15. EdB |