butterfly

[butterfly]

Hello everyone! im new with posting so plz bear with me, this question was asked of a study group, Did Christ descend into hell before his resurection into heaven? there were quite alot of different view points, So I thought a good place to come would be here,i cant find scripture for this, anyone know where to look plz share,  God Bless!    

[Dad Ernie]

Greetings Butterfly,

i cant find scripture for this, anyone know where to look plz share

The contentious verses which might be interpreted this way are as follows:

Ephesians 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

Ephesians 4:9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

Ephesians 4:10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things)

1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

1 Peter 3:19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;

I am of the opinion that Jesus did in fact die, and was in the grave for 3 days and at least some portion of that time went to the saints of old which it is told they were in "Abraham's bosom", to preach to them the completion of the Gospel by the shedding of His own blood. I then believe Jesus took them to be with Him for all eternity.

Blessings,

Dad Ernie

[Guest]

Hello Butterfly and Dad Ernie,

I submit to the following which was my response to this subject on another ancient thread buried with time . . .

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Jesus also said to the thief on the cross, "Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise." (Lu 23:43)

Is Paradise in hell? I do not think so.

I know many equate "Abraham's Bosom" as paradise as seen in the text below:

• Luke 16:23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
  24 And 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 prisoned] in this flame.
  25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
  26 And beside all this, between us and you THERE IS A GREAT GULF FIXED: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
  

Now Lazarus was not in prison, or hell. Nor did he need any to preach unto him victory, for he had found victory and rest for his soul. It was the rich man who found himself in a prison, or a place designed for punishment.

So, did Jesus go and take the thief to paradise first? And then go to hell to preach? I don't think so.

1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

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[butterfly]

wow! I never imagined it could be explaned so clearly, I thank you both, Dad Ernie and Blind seeker,are you in agreement that satan isn't in hell now but in the 2 heaven?or do you believe he is on the earth?  butterfly

[boblandis]

Dad Ernie and Blind Seeker are right on top of this one. Butterfly, the prince of darkness is still free to roam on the earth to seek whom he can devour.

[Dad Ernie]

Greetings Butterfly,

I agree with Boblandis. Satan was cast down to earth to no longer stand before the throne of God to seek whom he may devour. At the present time, he is being restrained by the Holy Spirit, and the prayers of the saints and the Word of God. But one day he will be given power to wage ALL OUT WAR against the saints of God AND "to overcome them".

Daniel 7:21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;

Revelation 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

But when the Lord returns, Satan is then bound for 1,000 years:

Revelation 20:2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,

and at the end of that time Satan will be loosed once again for a brief period:

Revelation 20:7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,

Then shall Satan be destroyed and cast into the Lake of Fire:

Revelation 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Blessings,

Dad Ernie