35 Comments

• Ardell Barr April 27, 2011 at 7:11 am

  Wow! Why didn’t I figure it out like that. Your explanation makes such perfect sense. Thanks for your wonderful daily comments.
• Ted Hill April 27, 2011 at 7:34 am

  Jesus did not descend to preach “salvation;” he descended to announce the news that he finally came and that what was preached to them previously by Noah had come to pass. It was a case of “I told you so.”
  Also, remember that Jesus did not say “Today you will be with me in Heaven….” He said “PARADISE.” These two are not the same because, if you recall from Scripture, days later when he spoke to Mary Magdalene in the garden, he said “I have not yet ascended to my Father in Heaven….” If he had not yet ascended to Heaven, then Heaven and Paradise CANNOT be the same place.

  The only solution for this problem has to be that he descended into “Paradise” (a place of spiritual neutrality like a waiting room in the Judge’s office where the deceased soul waits to hear their final disposition: Heaven or Hell.) The population of this place would have to include anyone who had not heard any preaching at all prior to their death.

  Ask yourself why there has to be a Resurrection of the Dead and Final Judgment in the first place. The reason is that there are unanswered questions that have to be resolved justly. But where do the persons involved reside in the meantime? It is unjust to force those persons into Hell and unacceptable for them to reside in Heaven until their case has been properly decided.

  In order to head off the problem of “I didn’t know about Jesus” in “Paradise,” Jesus went in there and published his presence and purpose so that there would be no excuse for its population in the time of the Final Judgment. So now, any other soul who ends up there will have the ability to choose and gain Heaven in the end. I believe that those who were there before and rejected Jesus have already received their mark of destination to Hell, and that decision cannot be changed.
• Cliff Mainor April 27, 2011 at 7:48 am

  Why did Jesus cry out from the cross,”My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
• Byron Stahla April 27, 2011 at 7:48 am

  Is 1 Peter 3:19-20 how the Roman Catholic Church explains Purgatory? Maybe the LDS Church (Mormans) also uses it to justify “baptism of the Dead”.
• Don Walker April 27, 2011 at 7:58 am

  Augustine’s understanding fits well with the omnipresence of the spirit, and the spirit transcending time, space and causation. It also fits in with the appearance of Melchizadek. This is the understanding of the spirit of Christ that I prefer, which leans on the Oneness of God.
• Alexine Cryer April 27, 2011 at 8:03 am

  Thank you for explaining that so well!! Love the “tough texts” series. Keep em coming!
• Karl Schaller April 27, 2011 at 8:08 am

  Love the new interactive format!
• Jean Ann Bird April 27, 2011 at 8:11 am

  Is this scripture in I Peter where our Catholic Brothers get their idea of purgatory?
• Vic Bitar April 27, 2011 at 8:17 am

  By the grace of God there may be the following possibility:

  All those who died (including Satan and his angels)before Jesus death and resurrection -the fulfillment of God’s promise in the Garden- were granted the LAST CHANCE TO BELIEVE AND REPENT; thus Jesus preaching to their spirits in hell.

  After the resurrection, there will be NO NEED. God is Holy and Just, but He is THE GRACIOUS ONE.
• Jim Veach April 27, 2011 at 8:43 am

  Dr. Denison, what is your view as to what happens to Christians at death? Luke 23:43 says the thief will be with Jesus today in paradise. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 indicates that believers will “sleep” until Christ’s return. Most Christians belive that they will go immediately to heaven upon death, but that is not consistent with Paul’s teaching.
  • Joseph April 27, 2011 at 9:17 pm

    You are correct, the position of ‘Denison’ that you close your eyes here (on earth) and open them on paradise or heaven is inconsistent with the apostle Paul and with most of Scriptural writings. When ‘Jesus’ talks to the thief, it must be read in grammatical/punctuation context of the comma: “I tell you today, that you will be with me in paradise”. Jesus was asserting that in that moment of ‘today’ he was extending forgiveness to the thief, and on the day of resurrection he would be in paradise; for neither the thief or ‘Jesus’ ascended to heaven or to paradise on that day.
• Pat April 27, 2011 at 8:44 am

  God is omnipresent.
  Jesus is omnipresent.
  The Holy Spirit is omnipresent.

  I am just here,enjoying your mail.

  God bless you, Pat
• David McLane April 27, 2011 at 8:51 am

  This interpretation makes sense to me. Thanks.
• Carolyn Feather April 27, 2011 at 8:59 am

  Thank you Dr. Denison! Having just attended Easter service at First Presbyterian, Tyler, and hearing the apostles’ creed, your explanation helped me greatly in my quest for the correct interpretation….and belief that indeed Jesus did not go to hell.

  We are having our book of Holy Land photos published and will have it in a few days. That tour is certainly a hightlight in our journey, especially during this time in our lives. Again, we thanks YOU! The Feathers
• Robert Bomar April 27, 2011 at 9:03 am

  It has been said that the original text of Luke 23:43 was translated from a language with no punctuation and that the comma is mis-placed and should have appeared after the word today. If this premise is so it would make more sense of the rest of the time line for Jesus crucifixion and ressurection. It would also lend itself to the proposition that once death (sleep) occurs one does not awaken until judgement day. Why else, in all the recorded biblical instances of anyone who returned from the dead are there no mention of where they were or what they were doing?
• Michael Montoya April 27, 2011 at 9:31 am

  Jim-
  I am more inclined to agree with your stance on this since the text could be interpreted to mean that the Spirit who brought him to life was the same one in which Jesus “used” to preach to those men. No need to speculate further.

  However, it is interesting that the author speaks of those people from Noah’s days specifically. I can see why it has provoked speculation that those spirits in prison represented all man who died and were in Hell before Jesus and now that he came to be a reconciliation for EVERYONE to have a chance at redemption, the people before him would need that same chance. Therefore, he would need to go to Hell to preach to them as well…

  Just playing devil’s advocate, what about when Jesus cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” when on the cross? Most believe that this was said because Jesus took on the sin of all man and therefore since God does not look upon sin he turned away from Jesus at that moment.
  This could possibly be when Jesus “entered hell”…
• Mike Yanof April 27, 2011 at 9:40 am

  Jim-Could this also be intrepreted in the broader context of Jesus, in those time between his death and Resurrection, going to those who had lived before his time on earth to reveal the progressive revelation of who God is (i.e. the Son of God and the Messiah are the same)? Couldn’t this be read with Matthew 27.52-53 to support that interpretation?
• Newton Jones April 27, 2011 at 9:50 am

  Dr. Jim
  I have been discussing this very issue via email with Blair Monie at Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church. One possible view is the”harrowing of hell” view which claims Jesus went to Sheoul or a holding place for the Old Testament righteous souls who never knew of Jesus to release them to accompany Him to Heaven. This seems to make sense. Otherwise, do they go to a different Heaven? Your thoughts?

  Thank you for all you do for all of us. You are the best.

  Newton
• Paul Buford April 27, 2011 at 9:52 am

  I think I would have to respectfully disagree with that interpretation. I believe that Jesus’ spirit descended into the earth to Hades (Sheol or the grave) which would be an area for the dead until judgment. I believe that would follow along with the story of Lazarus and the rich man. That area would be divided by an abyss with the unforgiven on one side in torment and the forgiven comfortable on the other (in the bosom of Abraham) in spirit form until the resurrection. If we read the story, the rich man was able to communicate with Abraham across the abyss. Some may believe this to be a parable, but it was more specific than any other parable by using names and places therefore we can assume that this was quite possibly a true account of what happens to the spirit at death until the resurrection of the saints to gather their glorified bodies.

  The verse say Jesus “made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits” meaning that there from the “good-side” He proclaimed across the way who He was. Then, death could not hold Him.
  But hey, I could be wrong…it happened ONCE before.
• Lou McMillan April 27, 2011 at 10:12 am

  Good Morning, Jim,
  First of all, I want you to know how much I enjoyed the Easter Vigil at DBU. Your inspiring messages are something I look forward to, and enjoy so much every time I hear you speak.

  My comment today is your final statement to this morning’s devotional. The worst thing that could happen to me today is not entering into the presence of God. For me, it would be the best thing that could happen to me. I agree. The worst thing for me would be for my mother to die today(she’s 97) and she still doesn’t believe she’s a sinner. Yet, she says she needs God. It has been a dilemma for me ever since my mother confessed to me she believed all were going to heaven, no matter what(she is a universalist). I have prayed and prayed, taken her to her church(HPPC) and to mine (PCBC). I have talked to her, read scripture to her, quoted Jesus, Oswald Chambers, and told her How much God loves her. She will waver for awhile, and I think she’s got it. But, I do believe Satan has a grip on her. My daily prayer is that Jesus will not allow her to die until she accepts Him as her Lord and Savior. I guess my mother not being in Heave with me is about the worst thing that could happen to me. Anyway, I felt compelled to share this with you. I know its not terribly important to any one but me and God. Maybe I’m not praying correctly. I know its Mom’s decision. That’s God’s gift to her. I wish she would pick the right one(His Salvation for her) though. Thanks for listening, Jim.

  IHS Lou McMillan
• Paul Buford April 27, 2011 at 10:21 am

  Also, it looks to me like there is a very specific time-line in this verse:
  1. He was put to death in the body
  2. but [then] made alive in the Spirit.
  3. After being made alive,
  4. he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits
  Besides, He had to go there…to pick up the keys!
  Paul
  (I love this stuff!)
• Stephen Burgher April 27, 2011 at 10:33 am

  What is hell? I believe it is an actual physical place as well as a state of being separated from the presence of God. When Jesus died He cried out “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?”. He became sin on our behalf and bore the wrath of God. I believe therefore that for a time He was separated from the Father and Spirit, and therefore was in hell, physically and spiritually. This doesn’t contradict the statement to the thief, because He ultimately rose and is in paradise now…
• Dan Taylor April 27, 2011 at 10:43 am

  Does the Scripture verse from the KJV, ‘For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.”, have any bearing on this debate? I’ve heard it used for this discussion. Oh the other side I’ve heard those who don’t subscribe to the idea that Jesus descended into hell quote,”It is finished” as an example that Jesus did all that needed to be done and there would be no reason to preach to the spirits in prison (hell).

  Thanks,

  Dan
• Gloria April 27, 2011 at 10:47 am

  Hi ! my name is Gloria and I live in Mexico.

  My understanding is:The bible said that salvation is only in Jesus Christ,so the people who lived before Christ was living in prision(Seol),thats why Jesus went to hell to preach to them the goods news.

  Brother,pray for the border (both) mexican and american,please!
  In Jesus Name
  gloria
• Maury G. April 27, 2011 at 11:23 am

  Thanks for addressing this and other difficult passages.

  My understanding is that prior to Christ’s resurrection, there were two separate environments for the souls of the deceased and together they comprised Hades. Tartarus was the place for those unbelieving dead, and Paradise was the abode of the souls of those who had died believing in the future saving work of Christ. The story of Lazarus and the rich man in Luke 16 supports this.

  After His crucifixion and before His resurrection, Jesus went to Tartarus and declared to those there, probably including fallen angels, that He had defeated Satan and their eternal doom was now confirmed. “Preached” does not mean he offered them salvation; it means he declared to them his victory. This is the 1 Peter passage.

  After His resurrection, Christ then went to Paradise and led to heaven and the presence of God the Father the souls of pre-incarnation believers. That’s the Ephesians 4:8 passage. So the souls of believers who die after the resurrection of Christ (like those whom we have loved) are now ‘absent from the body and face-to-face with the Lord.’ It’s the body that sleeps and will be awakened at the second coming when all believers of all ages receive resurrection bodies, ‘like Him’. 1 Thess 4:16 and 1 Corinthians 15.

  So between his crucifixion and resurrection, Christ’s body was in the grave, his soul was in Paradise with the thief, and His Spirit was in Tartarus declaring His victory over Satan.

  That’s my understanding and it seems to tie together a number of challenging passages. Thanks again.
• Martha Beyer April 27, 2011 at 2:52 pm

  Hi Jim,

  Where did ‘he descended into hell’ in the Apostle’s Creed come from? How do you refute it other than his statement to the thief on the cross: ‘today you will be in Paradise with me’?

  Thanks,
  Martha
• Barney April 27, 2011 at 3:31 pm

  Sorry — problem with Noah preaching with the power of The Holy Spirit for about 100 years without anyone being saved.
• George Cothran April 27, 2011 at 6:00 pm

  Jim,

  Thank you for clarifying that for me (and probably for many others).
• Alice Fant April 27, 2011 at 7:14 pm

  Jim,
  I didn’t know that this passage was the basis of the “Jesus descended into hell” from the Apostles Creed. I always thought it meant that He experienced God’s wrath on the cross, He took on the judgment for our sin, that we deserved. I am aware that non-liturgical teaching does use this text, but I don’t see how it connects to the Apostles Creed. But maybe there isn’t much [if any] biblical support?
• Errol Traylor April 27, 2011 at 8:49 pm

  If our full penalty for sin includes death and hell, how could Jesus pay our FULL penalty with only a physical death, without a spiritual death…….?
• Nick Shoop April 28, 2011 at 2:08 am

  This is wonderful-thanks for delving into this. This explanation resonates with me as well. I’m then obviously left with the question why is the Apostles Creed wrong?! Notably when the Methodist church I grew up in (HPUMC) recited this, it did not include the portion regarding Christ’s descent into hell. Perhaps this is how some/many faiths/sects/groups have sought to address the issue.

  Thanks so much for what y’all do!

  Blessings,
  Nick Shoop
• E. B. April 28, 2011 at 10:01 am

  Jim,
  I read your explanation of our Lord’s descending into Hell only today. Sorry, I’m often behind.
  Great explanation, with which I agree. I was a little puzzled about the lack of mention of Ephesians 6:9 to which quite a few Christian groups point as referring to Jesus “descending.”

  For me, the genitive of possession (lower parts that belong to the earth) works well, but for some it is not that easy.
• patsy kissick April 28, 2011 at 6:09 pm

  I read this email after my previous question of YOUR view on what happens when we die. Should have read this first. Your answer is quite comforting and what I have always believed.
• Mitch April 29, 2011 at 11:52 pm

  As for why He cried “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” He was fulfilling Psalm 22. Check out http://carm.org/questions/about-jesus/why-did-jesus-cry-out-my-god-my-god-why-have-you-forsaken-me
• Ellen McStay May 1, 2011 at 1:43 pm

  So if He did not go to hell between His death and resurrection, when did He go?

Comments have been closed for this post.