Before the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, when anyone dies, his or her soul descended into an abode located somewhere in the earth known as Hades (in the New Testament) or Sheol (in the Old Testament). There were two sections of Hades, one for the righteous dead and the other for the unrighteous dead. The section for the righteous dead is sometimes called “Paradise” and at other times called “Abraham’s bosom.” Luke 23:43
During the time of His death, our Lord Jesus Christ descended into Hades, depopulated Paradise and led a spiritual triumphal entry into the heavenlies with all the righteous (saved) up to that time, Eph 4:8-10
Since the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ, all saved believers who die in Christ are now in the heavenlies with Christ, 2 Cor. 12:1-4; Acts 7:54-60
After the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the state of the unrighteous (unsaved) dead remained (and still remains) unchanged. They are still in Hades (Hell) being joined by all others who fail to give their lives to Jesus Christ awaiting the final great white throne judgment, Rev 20:11-15
A6.5 – THE TRUTH ABOUT THE DESTINY OF MAN – Hope Double
