Don’t Let Jesus’ Resurrection Pass-U-Over. Part Three
If you need to read part Two of this article you may click here. >> << http://somejesusthings.com/dont-let-jesus-resurrection-pass-u-part-one/
If you need to read part Two of this article you may click here. >> << http://somejesusthings.com/dont-let-jesus-resurrection-pass-u-part-two/
So let’s answer that question of why did Jesus go to Sheol?
In (Genesis 25:8) scripture tells us when Abraham died he was gathered to his people. Scripture also tells us in (Genesis 49:29) Jacob said, “I am to be gathered to my people.” King David made the statement when his son died in (2 Samuel 12:23) “I will go to him he will not come to me.” King David knew he would be gathered together again with his son. This shows us a spiritual common denominator between these men. They and their deceased believers before them, went to a definite location to be gathered together into a reunited spiritual family in God.
So, when Jesus died guess what? He went to gather up His people! Jesus went to get all those who looked forward to Him as the coming Messiah those made righteous through animal sacrifices. These believers gave offerings as sacrifices that just barely covered their sins. These souls were awaiting the One who would be the ultimate propitiation for sin through His finished work on the Cross.
The story of The Rich Man and Lazarus Proves that Soul-Sleep taught by man or religion is a False doctrine and Perversion of Scriptures influenced by Satan.
Abraham’s bosom is commonly referred to as Paradise because this is where the righteous are kept. (Luke 16:22-26) So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. “Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’
Three parts to Sheol
This Compartmental place is called Sheol. Sheol has three compartments. First is Hades where the rich man is kept to this very day. The second compartment is Abraham’s Bosom where Lazarus was taken. The third is a great gulf that divides Hades and Paradise.
Here is a verse that tells us a little bit about where and who (believers and nonbelievers) are in Sheol. (Ezekiel 31:16) I made the nations shake at the sound of its fall, when I cast it down to hell together with those who descend into the Pit; and all the trees of Eden, the choice and best of Lebanon, all that drink water, were comforted in the depths of the earth.
The Greek word Paradise παράδεισος parádeisos means a park, that is, (specifically) an Eden (place of future happiness, «paradise»): – paradise. (Luke 23:43) And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” (Revelation 2:7) “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”
The Hebrew equivalent word GAN גַּן עֵדֶן, Gan ʿEdhen meaning garden, is issued in a similar way, (Genesis 3:23) therefore the Lord God sent him out of the garden (Gan) of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken.
The Septuagint uses the word Paradise when speaking of the Garden of Eden, in which the Lord placed Adam and Eve. Jesus did not go to Hell or Hades at His crucifixion. Jesus gathered His people together who were held captive. This place of captivity for the righteous was Paradise (Abraham’s Bosom). Jesus lead captivity captive. (Ephesians 4:8-10) Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.”(Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)
Paradise Lifted to the Heavens
This was moving day for Paradise! These verse prove Jesus gathered His people together and lead them together as one captive group out of the bowels of the earth. Jesus lifted them to a new location in the Heavens.
This is not to be confused with Heaven proper where Satan comes and goes in accusation of the saints. (Revelation 12:10) Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.
After Jesus crucifixion when Jesus was seen by Mary Jesus told Mary not to cling to Him. (John 20:17) Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’”
This verse teaches us that Scripture does not contradict itself. Jesus is preparing a place for all that is Holy. A New Heavenly Home Forevermore. (John 14:3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. Believers await the New Jerusalem. A New Holy City. A New Heaven. The Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
For an in depth teaching on this new Heaven, the bride of Christ, and the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, click here. >> << http://somejesusthings.com/marriage-made-heaven/
Part three finishes the story of Who, What, Where, How, When, and the Why of Jesus and Sheol. This is not the end of the story though. In part four, I will address what happened to Sheol after the Saints left and what happens to those in Hades. We have yet to address Tartarus and Gehenna.
What do you think happens to Sheol?
