Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple
Christ descended into Hell?
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This is from an article titled "Where Are the Dead?" which appeared in the December 2008 issue of the Pentecostal Herald. It was written by David Norris.
The New Testament records significant events associated with the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus. The psalmist prophesied that before Jesus ascended into heaven, He would first descend triumphantly to sheol --hades in the New Testament-- and ascend, taking with Him a whole host of those who had been “captive” (
Psalm 68:18;
Ephesians 4:8-10). Thus, when the victory of the cross was accomplished, Jesus descended to the abode of the dead and boldly proclaimed (“preached”) His total victory over Satan (
1 Peter 3:19). In demonstration of His conquest, He made an open show of the devil, mocking and humiliating him. (See
Colossians 2;15). Jesus then claimed for Himself the keys of death and hell. (See
Revelation 1:18). Finally, Jesus ascended to paradise, but He did not do so alone. Jesus took with Him those who in the Old Testament had lived in covenant relationship with God.
Twenty times in the Old Testament it refers to descending to sheol or as sheol being “down.” in the New Testament, when writers described paradise the referred to it as up. (See
2 Corinthians 12:4). Whereas the Old Testament was oblique in its pronouncements o life after death, Jesus told the thief on the cross that he would that day be with Him in paradise. (See
Luke 23:43.) Indeed, the New Testament celebrates that those who die will immediately be ushered into the presence of the Lord. Paul professed, “to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord” (
2 Corinthians 5:8).
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