The Believers Access to Heaven
Let the Word speak for ItselfBy Pastor F. M. Riley
“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory,” 1 Timothy 3:16.
“Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” 2 Peter 1:10-11.I. What did Christ come to do?
A. He came to fulfill the Law, Matthew 5:17-18
B. He came to proclaim liberty to the captives, Luke 4:16-21
1, The Lord read from….. Isaiah 61:1-2II. What did the Law require of the High Priest?
A. That he make atonement for the people, Leviticus 16:1-16
B. He was not to enter the Holy Place without the blood Hebrews 9:7III. Could anyone enter the Tabernacle before Atonement had been made?
A. There shall be no man in the Tabernacle Leviticus 16:17IV. Is Christ our High Priest?
A. But Christ being come a High Priest…..by His own blood Hebrews 9:7-12
B. He made Atonement for us Romans 5:11V. Did any man enter Heaven before Christ made Atonement?
A. The Lord Himself said….. John 3:13VI. Where then did the souls of Old Testament Believers
go before Christ made the Atonement?
A. Where did the soul of Christ go when He died on the cross?
1. Christ promised the repentant thief….. Luke 23:39-43
2. First descended into the lower parts of the earth Ephesians 4:7-10
- What additional proof is there that the soul of Christ
first went down into the lower parts of the Earth?
A. The Apostle Peter said He did….. Acts 2:25-31
B. The Apostle Paul said He did….. Acts 13:33-37
1. Both Peter and Paul were quoting from….. Psalm 16:10 57:4
C. Christ Himself stated….. Matthew 12:38-40
1. Jonah’s body was in the fish Jonah 1:17
2. Jonah’s soul was in “sheol” [hades] Jonah 2:2-6
D. Jonah was a type of Christ
1. The body of Christ was placed in the tomb Matthew 27:57-60
2. The soul of Christ went down into “sheol” [hades] Acts 2:31
VIII. What did Christ do in Hades?
A. He preached…..
1. To the souls in Tartarus 1 Peter 3:18-19
2. To the souls in Paradise Isaiah 61:1-2
B. He freed the Old Testament believers Isaiah 49:8-10
C. He seized the keys of Hades and Death Revelation 1:18IX. On what basis was Christ able to do this?
A. His shed blood Zechariah 9:11-12
Psalm 146:7
Isaiah 42:5-7
Hebrews 9:12
B. His sinless soul Isaiah 53:8-12
Psalm 88:1-7
1 Peter 2:21-24X. When was the Lord’s work in Hades completed?
A. When He ascended Ephesians 4:8
B. His glorious resurrection John 20:11-18
Matthew 28:8-10
- Where did Christ ascend to?
A. Into Heaven itself Mark 16:19
Hebrews 9:24
B. To sit on the right hand of the Father Hebrews 1:1-3
1 Peter 3:22
C. Far above all heavens Ephesians 4:10
- Is Paradise still in the heart of the Earth?
A. No! For Christ led “captivity captive” when He ascended Ephesians 4:8
B. Paul’s experience 2 Corinthians 12:1-4
C. Paradise is now in the third heaven
1. Where Christ went when He ascended Hebrews 4:14
- Where does the believer’s soul now go at death?
A. Present with the Lord 2 Corinthians 5:1-8
- Definition of terms used in this study
A. Sheol – Hades….. “Sheol” is the Old Testament Hebrew word, and “Hades” is the New Testament Greek word that is translated as “hell” or “grave” in theEnglish Bible. The word “grave” is an incorrect translation in every case. “Sheol” and “Hades” are the exact same place.
“Sheol – Hades” is the generic name of the entire underworld region. It was the place the place where the soul went when the body died during the Old Testament dispensations.
It is presently the place where the souls of lost unbelievers go when their body dies.
In Old Testament times there was at least two levels to “Sheol – Hades,” one above another, and possibly more. See Deuteronomy 32:22 and Psalm 86:13. One of those levels was the location of “paradise,” and the lower level was the location of “torments.” See Luke 16:19-31.
B. “Tartarus” is the Greek word translated as “hell” in 2 Peter 2:4. The actual meaning of the word is still being debated by “scholars” to this day. The word may refer to an actual place, or it may refer to an imposed condition. All we can be certain about is that “tartarus” is the prison in which the fallen angels, those “which kept not their first estate,” are chained until the time of their judgment. See Jude 6. If “tartarus” is an actual place, then apparently it is located on one of the levels of “Sheol-Hades” somewhere in the lower parts of the earth.
C. “Abyss” is the Greek word translated as “bottomless pit” in the New Testament. In the Old Testament there are many references to “the pit.” See Ezekiel 26:20, 32:18-32, Numbers 16:30-33, Job 17:16, Jonah 2:6, and other similar passages. The “abyss” is a part of “Sheol-Hades,” and is located in the lower parts of the earth. Luke 16:26 speaks of a “great gulf” [rent or chasm] that separated “torments” from “Abraham’s bosom” [Paradise]. It appears that the “great gulf” and the “abyss” are one and the same place; a rent or split in the earth so deep that it is considered impassable. It is the prison [place] where Satan will be confined during the Millennial Kingdom of Christ, Revelation 20:1-3.
D. “Topheth” is the Old Testament Hebrew word and “Gehenna” is the New Testament Greek word referring to the “lake of fire.” See Isaiah 30:33 and Revelation 20:15. “Topheth-Gehenna” does not yet exist. It will be brought into existence during the coming Tribulation period. Compare Revelation 14:9-11 with Isaiah 34:5-10 and note the statements made in Isaiah 5:14 and 14:9. “Topheth-Gehenna” will be the eternal dwelling place of all lost souls who have refused to receive Christ as their Savior, along with Satan and his angels. See Matthew 25:41, Revelation 20:10, and 20:15.<<<<<<< 0 >>>>>>>
And where will YOU spend eternity? John 3:16-18
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NOTICE: Permission is granted to any true believer or to any Bible believing Christian ministry to reproduce this study to share with others, or to quote from it in context as written.
This ministry is supported solely by the freewill offerings of those who feel led of the Lord to help us send forth God’s wonderful Word. All comments, questions, or correspondence should be addressed to:
Last Call Gospel Ministry
Pastor F. M. Riley
3900 Clark Lane Lot 178
Columbia, Missouri 65202
We can be contacted by email at:
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