When Jesus died he descended into Hades or Sheol, and when he had conquered death and hades and got the keys to man's freedom from these, he led the captives free and ascended with them into Heaven.
1 Peter 3:18-22 Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.
19 So he went and preached to the spirits in prison— 20 those who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat. Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood.
21 And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
22 Now Christ has gone to heaven. He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers accept his authority.
Because our Saviour has conquered death and Hades, we must have no fear of these. Those who were in Abraham's bosom, like poor Lazarus can go on to Heaven because Jesus through his death and resurrection has reconciled man to God. Righteous men can therefore come into the presence of God and reside in Heaven where God lives.
Revelations 1:18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
(What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)
This is our victory through Christ - we have overcome the sting of death and hades!
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