RESURRECTION SEASON ~ ~ DAY 19 ~ The Formation of the CHURCH

Resurrection Season ~ ~ ~ Day 19
for the Year of Our LORD, 4.10.2008
Forming the Church in the Heart of the Earth, Part 4


For we are members of His+ body,
of His+ flesh, and of His+ bones.
Ephesians 5:30

+ + +

For the last part of this discussion, let us look at verses in Psalm 139:14-17 through the eyes of the Church, or rather …through the formation of the Church in the heart of the earth… for we are His+ Body.

+ + +

I will praise thee;
for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:

or, more literally from the Hebrew:
I will thank You
for with fearful things
I am wonderful
[Hebrew text, Jay P.Green’s Interlinear]

marvellous are thy works;
and that my soul knoweth right well.

…WITH FEARFUL THINGS?

Yes, with fearful things ! Who would be in great fear when The LORD descended into Sheol ? Certainly NOT Abraham and the other saints who rejoiced to see His+ day ! See what is written in Scriptures:

Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and [HE+] took it out of the way, nailing it to His+ cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, HE+ made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. (Col. 2:14-15). Applying this verse to the formation of the Church in Sheol, we can see where ---and to whom--- great fear would come!
+ + +

Now then, let us return to Psalm 139:15, focusing our eyes upon the formation of the Church, His+ Body, in the heart of the earth.

My substance was not hid from thee,
when I was made in secret,
and curiously wrought
in the lowest parts of the earth.

This verse tells us something: My substance is NOT referring to the beginnings of “my” personal human life in the womb. Yes, The LORD does know our human beginnings. Yes, we are humanly conceived in secret, and yes, our human bodies are intricately formed. But… we as baby humans are NOT WOVEN TOGETHER IN THE LOWEST PARTS OF THE EARTH.

My Substance, then, refers to the human souls held captive in the heart of the earth, in Sheol, whom The LORD preached unto… knitting them into His+ Body, the Church. The dominion of principalities and powers over the souls and spirits of the dead was broken, spoiled.

+ + +

And thus, we see that my substance and the further references to my and me are also referring to the formation of the church of its various members.

Thine eyes did see My substance,
yet being unperfect…


(that is, incomplete until CHRIST JESUS descended into Sheol to knit the Church of the Old Testament saints into Himself+ as part of His+ Body);

…and in Thy book all My members were written,

Thy Book, historically, would be referring to the LORD’S Book in Exodus 32:32 and the Book of the Living in Psalm 69:28. There is also The LORD’S Book mentioned in Daniel 12:1,2. And then, there is the LAMB’S Book of Life (Luke 10:20, Phil 4:3, Rev. 3:5, 13:8, 17:8, and 21:27). All these mean those members of the living church of CHRIST.
+ + +

…which in continuance were fashioned,
when as yet there was none of them.

Here we must revert to the literal Hebrew text in order to see the picture more clearly. Thus, again from Jay P.Green’s Hebrew Interlinear:

…And on Your book
all (thy members) were written;
the days they were formed,
and none was among them.

Although more literal, Jay P.Green’s translation still adds into the English words and punctuation not found in the Hebrew. He adds his punctuation plus the words “thy members” and, like the KJV, leaves us wondering exactly what is being said.

Upon parsing the verb forms, we found again a future tense ! Therefore, we would more accurately read it like this:

And on Your Book of Life,
all of them will be written down
the days they were intensely formed

(i.e., during “THE” 3 days and 3 nights)

although they were not yet united into one.

(i.e., not yet before this time One Body).

Yes, that word “one” is the Hebrew plural one, literally meaning a unified “one”, combined or united out of many. It is used in adjective form here. Echad, the Hebrew word, is the adjective used to describe ELOHIM, the ONE GOD:

The FATHER, the SON, and the HOLY SPIRIT.


+ + +



How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is
the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.

+ + +


What did Our LORD do after HE+ preached in Sheol, forming His+ Body the Church out of the Patriarchs, Prophets, Old Testament saints, and the disobedient ones (whom we assume had never heard about The LORD) ?

TAKE A GUESS !
(Or see Psalm 68:18 and Eph. 4:8 )
(To be continued)


+ + +

For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell;

neither wilt thou suffer

thine Holy One

to see corruption.

Psalm 16:10
+ + +
The Resurrection of JESUS CHRIST

… the most life-changing event in human history.

+ + +

RESURRECTION SEASON ~ ~ DAY 14 ~~ Part 4, In the Heart of the Earth

Resurrection Season ~ ~ ~ Day 14
… In the Heart of the Earth, Part 4
for the Year of Our LORD, 4.5.2008

For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell;
neither wilt thou suffer
thine Holy One to see corruption.
Psalm 16:10

From Scripture, we now see that Our LORD descended into hell [Hades Gk./Sheol Heb.] to preach the GOSPEL of His+ Salvation to the departed spirits.

For to this end also the GOSPEL WAS PREACHED TO THE DEAD ONES, that they might truly be judged according to men in the flesh, but might live according to GOD in the Spirit. (I Peter 4:6, Gk)

Our LORD preached to several groups in the stronghold or prison of the departed spirits, according to ancient Christian writings. (See yesterday’s blog). One group indicated in Scripture would include those righteous ones who died under the Patriarchal Covenant. Another group would have been those who died righteously under the Mosaic Covenant.

+ + +

I Peter 3 tells us plainly that those who died during the time of Noah… who were formerly unrighteous / disobedient… were also presented the GOSPEL. We surmise that the departed souls and spirits of people in that unrighteous group would have NOT had the opportunity to enter the Patriarchal Covenant before they died.

+ + +

We know, from Scriptures, that His+ preaching brought joy !


“Your father Abraham leaped for joy that he should see My+ day: and he saw and rejoiced,” The LORD said to the Pharisees and Jews. (Jay P. Green’s Interlinear Greek New Testament, recorded in John 8:56.).

What could have made
Abraham, (Moses, Elijah, etc.)
so glad?

What happens when the GOSPEL is preached… and preached with great signs, wonders, and power?

The CHURCH IS FORMED!

The LORD JESUS CHRIST was the first-born from the dead (Col. 1:15, Rev. 1:5) and become the firstfruits of them that slept (I Cor. 15:20) .

It MUST have made their hearts rejoice to see The ONE+ Who+ was in the process of destroying the power of death. Likely, they were glad to hear the Voice of The LORD … and that, victoriously. They were most likely glad to hear the GOSPEL of His+ salvation being offered to them. And, most probably, they were very glad that HE+ Who+ had the power over death called them “My+ brethren !” (Heb. 2:11-15, Psalm 22:22)

Now, let us look at some Scriptures through the eyes of the departed spirits of men held captive in the heart of the earth.


· Psalm 74:12
For GOD is my King of old, working salvation in the midst [ inward parts, Heb.] of the earth.

· Psalm 49:15
But GOD will redeem (set free) my soul from the power of the grave, for HE shall receive me.

· Psalm 71:20

THOU, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken (make alive) me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.


Hosea 6:1-2

Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for HE hath torn, and HE will heal us; HE hath smitten, and HE will bind us up. After two days will HE revive us: in the third day HE will raise us up, and we shall live in HIS sight.

+ + +

The familiar Messianic passage of Isaiah 61:1 says:

+

The Spirit of ADONAI JEHOVAH is upon ME; because JEHOVAH hath anointed ME to preach good tidings unto the meek; HE hath sent ME to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.

+

This Scripture refers to The LORD JESUS CHRIST because HE+ Himself told us it did, in Luke 4:18-21.

+

Now, let us read the Messianic passage of Isaiah 9:2-3 [and Luke 1:79] with our mind set upon The LORD JESUS' descent into hell (Hades, Sheol), preaching the GOSPEL of His+ Salvation unto the departed souls and spirits of mankind:

+

The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; they who dwell in the land of the shadow of death*** (i.e.... the phantoms, the spirits of the dead), light has shone on them. (*** See note at the end of the blog).

+ + +

When The LORD turns the captivity of Zion, the entire Psalm 126 speaks of great joy.

+ + +

Now then, there must have been a VERY, VERY GOOD reason for The LORD to descend into the heart of the earth to preach the GOSPEL to the spirits imprisoned in Sheol. An old 1902 article reprinted by the Sovereign Grace Advent Society in England several years ago said there was: it was to bring Old Covenant saints into one body in CHRIST, as per Phil. 2:10 ; I Cor. 12:13; and Eph. 4:4-8.

+

We recall Our LORD'S words in John 10:15-16 :

+

As The FATHER knoweth ME+, even so know I The FATHER; and I lay down MY+ life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold; them also I must bring and they shall hear MY+ Voice; and there shall be one fold, and ONE SHEPHERD+.

+

Could these familiar words of CHRIST JESUS the LORD apply also to His+ work in forming the church in the heart of the earth, as well as to His+ work through The HOLY SPIRIT in forming the church upon the earth?

+

And, here is another note-worthy thought: If Our LORD opened to the disciples' understanding the Scriptures, as they walked on the road to Emmaus, could HE+ not also open the understanding of the captive souls and spirits of men in hell (Hades / Sheol) to the Living Word of GOD ?

(To be continued)

*** A note about The Shadow of Death:

This noteworthy phrase is usually understood in a poetic or metaphorical sense instead of being taken literally. However, there is GOOD EVIDENCE that the phrase could and should be understood more concretely. At the very least, the phrase should be considered to have a literal, concrete meaning which is EQUALLY as valid as the poetic.

+

For instance, Psalm 23 says: Yea, though I walk through the valley, gorge, plain of the phantom(s) or spirits of the dead, I will fear no evil for THOU are with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me. [ Order of the GOOD SHEPHERD+ translation.]

+

We found a very interesting root word for the entire phrase "shadow of death." In Strong's Concordance /Hebrew Dictionary, the word roots have these references: 6757 from 6738 from 6751, which from 6754. These numbers are closely related words.

+

The end result is this: shadow really means a shade or phantom or shadowy appearance. This brought us to the conclusion that the valley of the shadow of death was IN TRUTH the valley or gorge or plain of the phantoms(s) / shades of the dead, that is, Sheol.

+

This conclusion would make Psalm 23 a concrete reference to the departed spirits in Sheol (Hades / hell) , instead of only being a symbolic description of a believer going through very difficult times here on earth. This understanding could also be applied to Isaiah 9:2.

+ + +


Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell,
neither wilt thou suffer
thine Holy One to see corruption.
Acts 2: 22-27

The Resurrection of JESUS CHRIST
… the most life-changing event in human history.


+ + +

Resurrection Season - Day 13~ ~ Part 3, In the Heart of the Earth

Resurrection Season ~ ~ ~ Day 13
… In the Heart of the Earth, Part 3
for the Year of Our LORD, 4.4.2008

For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell;
neither wilt thou suffer
thine Holy One to see corruption.
Psalm 16:10


The LORD JESUS CHRIST was quite busy during those 3 days and 3 nights HE+ was in the heart of the earth. Both Scriptures and the ancient Christian writings tell us HE+ preached while HE+ was down there. To whom did HE+ bring the glad tidings?


For to this end also
the GOSPEL WAS PREACHED
TO THE DEAD ONES,
that they might truly be judged
according to men in the flesh,
but might live according to GOD in the Spirit.
(I Peter 4:6, Gk)

TO WHOM DID HE+ PREACH THE GOSPEL?

Using the OGS Expanded Version from the Greek text, look at 1 Peter 3: 18, 19, and part of verse 20.

Because even CHRIST, one time, solely and uniquely, suffered concerning sins, the righteous on behalf of the unrighteous, that HE+ might bring us to GOD, having been put to death truly IN THE FLESH but having been made alive IN THE SPIRIT; by which also, going UNTO THE SPIRITS IN PRISON, HE+ proclaimed, heralded, announced, and PREACHED to the FORMERLY DISOBEYING ONES when one time, solely and uniquely, the long-suffering of GOD Himself was expectantly waiting in the days of Noah …

Scriptures tell us 1) The LORD JESUS in the spirit preached to the spirits in Hades/Sheol, the spirits of those who had died; 2) HE+ preached the GOSPEL; 3) HE+ preached to the disobedient ones who in the days of Noah died in the flood.

An Early Christian, Justin Martyr, found himself dialoguing with some Jewish men. He remonstrated with them as to why their rabbis had removed portions of the Prophetic Scriptures. Justin told them this was cut out from the writings of Jeremiah:

“The LORD GOD remembered His dead people of Israel who lay in the graves; and HE descended to preach to them His own salvation.” The serious group of Jewish men had no answer or excuse for Justin, as copies of the original Jeremiah were still available for anyone to read who cared to do so.

Another group to hear the GOSPEL would have been the Old Testament saints who died under the Patriarchal covenant (before Moses).

“Your father Abraham leaped for joy that he should see My+ day: and he saw and rejoiced,” The LORD said to the Pharisees and Jews. (Jay P. Green’s Interlinear Greek New Testament, recorded in John 8:56.).

The third group would have been all those who died righteously under the Mosaic Covenant. Included in this group would have been those in the Exodus and spoken of in the New Testament as “the church in the Wilderness,” Acts 7:38. Also included in this group would have been all the Old Testament saints during the time of the Judges and Kings of Israel and indeed, all the saints under the Old Covenant up through the death of the repentant thief on the cross.

Some may think that the souls and spirits of the dead were given a SECOND chance, a second opportunity to partake of Eternal Life, when The LORD JESUS preached to the dead. However, we hesitate to agree with that theory. Personally, we believe that HE+ preached to those “disobedient ones” who NEVER had the opportunity to hear about The GOD of Israel or who never had the opportunity to enter into the Old Covenant with Israel before they died. They would have gotten their first chance perhaps? The text is very clear that HE+ preached to a large group of “unrighteous/disobedient ones.”



“Your father Abraham leaped for joy that he should see My+ day: and he saw and rejoiced,” The LORD said to the Pharisees and Jews. (Jay P. Green’s Interlinear Greek New Testament, recorded in John 8:56.).

Whoever they were who were included in the count, could it be that the Old Covenant saints agreed with Abraham’s words in John 8:56 and were also glad to see His+ day?

What could have made them so glad?

(To be continued)


References from the Early Christian writings regarding the groups being preached to in Sheol / Hades (KJV “hell”):

· Irenaeus, AnteNicene Fathers (ANF), Vol. 1, Book IV (4), chapter 22, sections 1 and 2, pages 493-494; and also chapter 27, section 2, page 499. This was the Second Printing edition, June 1995.

· Recognitions of Clement, ANF, Vol. 8, Book I, chapter LII (52), page 91, “The Saints Before Christ’s Coming.”

· Clement of Alexandria, ANF, Vol. 2, Book VI (6), chapter 6, pages 490-492, “Stromata.”

· Epistle of the Apostles, New Testament Apocrypha, by M.R. Banks, sections 27 and 28, pages 494-495.

· Justin Martyr, ANF, Vol. 1, “Dialogue with Trypho,” chapter LXXII (72), page 235.




Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell,
neither wilt thou suffer
thine Holy One to see corruption.
Acts 2: 22-27

The Resurrection of JESUS CHRIST
… the most life-changing event in human history.


+ + +

RESURRECTION SEASON ~ DAY 12 ~ Part 2, In the Heart of the Earth

Resurrection Season ~ ~ ~ Day 12
… In the Heart of the Earth, Part 2
for the Year of Our LORD, 4.3.2008

For as Jonas was
three days and three nights
in the whale’s belly;
so shall the Son of Man+ be
three days and three nights
in the heart of the earth.
The Words of The LORD JESUS CHRIST,
recorded in Matthew 12:40

What happened during those 3 days and 3 nights HE+ spent in the heart of the earth? Yes, it was in the heart of the earth HE+ went. We recall Ephesians 4:8-10 which states the fact that HE+ first descended into the lower parts of the earth before HE+ ascended to His+ FATHER and our FATHER.

For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell;
neither wilt thou suffer
thine Holy One to see corruption.
Psalm 16:10

+ + +

Our discussion yesterday was about hell. In a nutshell, the KJV translators used one word (hell) to translate four different words used in the original Greek and Hebrew texts.

One term was Tartarus, the hell reserved for fallen angelic beings.

The second term was Gehenna. It refers to the Lake of Burning Fire into which Death and Hell itself will be thrown. This Lake is unpopulated right now. (See yesterday’s blog.)

Further explanation can be found in Enoch I, chapter 22. This book is quoted by the Apostle Jude in the currently accepted Canon of Scripture, although the Book of Enoch was accepted by the Ancient Church in earlier times.

Then, there are two terms which refer to the same place in the heart of the earth, the repose of the dead: Hades, in the Greek text, and Sheol in the Hebrew text. All human beings’ souls and spirits descended into this place.

To complicate things a little more, the “hell” which was referring to Hades or Sheol was divided into 2 parts. Between them, was a deep chasm fixed and no-one (soul and spirit) was able to pass from one place to another. A shaft existed in the nethermost part which was said to lead to the abyss… the bottomless deep. (See yesterday’s blog.)

The repose of the RIGHTEOUS souls and spirits was in the part of Hades/Sheol called Abraham’s Bosom, Luke 16. Our LORD referred to this place as paradise when HE+ was talking to the repentant thief on the cross.

The place of torment for the UNRIGHTEOUS dead was in a separate part of Hades/Sheol, the nethermost region. Let us keep in mind that the souls and spirits of the dead were still alive in BOTH Abraham’s Bosom (Paradise) AND the section of Hades or Sheol filled with torments.

Let us remember Our LORD’S answer to the Sadducees who were mocking the resurrection. HE+ told them straightly that they did greatly err. The spirits of the dead Patriarchs were still alive.

“For HE is not a GOD of the dead, but of the living; for all live [are alive] unto HIM+,” the LORD JESUS said in Luke 20:34-38. (See also Mark 12:24-27 and Matthew 22:29-32)

+ + +

Which part of hell did The living soul and spirit of Our LORD JESUS CHRIST descend into, leaving His+ tired though uncorrupted, sinless body in the tomb? Scripture does NOT say that CHRIST would be kept OUT of hell (Hades, Sheol) but rather that His+ soul should not be LEFT there… as were all the souls and spirits of the dead, up to that time.

Which part was HE+ in for 3 days and 3 nights… and why?

Our LORD would not have gone into Tartarus, the place reserved for the punishment of the fallen angelic beings who corrupted the human race in Genesis 6. That was not the repose of the souls and spirits of dead humans.

Our LORD would not have gone into Gehenna, the Lake of Burning Fire of Revelation 20: 10-15. That Lake of Fire comes at the end of His+ thousand year reign and is unpopulated now. That is the place where HE+ deals with the devil, the beast, and the false prophet. They are thrown into it, as well as all those who are not found written in the LAMB’S Book of Life. These were all CHRIST-rejectors during their life on planet earth.

Yes, HE+ would have descended into the repose of the dead (Hades/ Sheol) because --- as with His+ birth, His+ earth-bound life, His+ physical agony on the cross, and His+ intense despair of heart at feeling forsaken by The FATHER--- Our LORD followed the Adamic line. HE+ too had to leave His+ body. His+ soul and spirit also had to descend into Hades/Sheol just like all the other human beings on earth. But, let us keep in mind that all human souls and spirits were still alive down there, although their Adamic, fleshly bodies had died due to Adam’s curse.


It is NOT clear the extent of the areas of Hades/ Sheol where HE+ went. Romans 10:7 states a question: “Who will go down into the deep (Gk: abyss ) that is, to bring CHRIST up from the dead?” We do know that HE+ did descend into the heart of the earth, Hades or Sheol, where all the departed souls and spirits of the dead humans went.

What was HE+ doing down there
… all that time ?

Let’s look at 1 Peter 3: 18, 19, and part of 20, using the OGS Expanded Version from the Greek text as well as the KJV.

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins,
[Because even CHRIST, one time, solely and uniquely,

suffered concerning sins ]


the just for the unjust,
[ the righteous on behalf of the unrighteous ]


that he might bring us to God,
[that HE+ might bring us to GOD]


being put to death in the flesh,
[having been put to death truly IN THE FLESH]

but quickened by the Spirit:
[but having been made alive IN THE SPIRIT]

By which also he went and
preached unto the spirits in prison;
[by which also, going UNTO THE SPIRITS IN PRISON,
HE+ proclaimed, heralded, announced, and preached
to the formerly disobeying ones ,]

Which sometime were disobedient,
when once the longsuffering of
God waited in the days of Noah…
[when one time, solely and uniquely,
the long-suffering of GOD Himself
was expectantly waiting in the days of Noah…]

I Peter 3: 18, 19, 20a OGS Expanded Version

At least one purpose of HIS+ descent was to preach the Gospel! This is the picture we see: The LORD left His+ body on the cross awaiting its burial by Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea. His+ Soul and Spirit descended into hell (Hades or Sheol, not Tartarus nor Gehenna). This is one thing Scripture in the words of the Apostle Peter tells us that HE+ did down there:

For to this end also
the GOSPEL WAS PREACHED
TO THE DEAD ONES,
that they might truly be judged
according to men in the flesh,
but might live according to GOD in the Spirit.
(I Peter 4:6, Gk)

TO WHOM DID HE+ PREACH THE GOSPEL?

The old accounts** verify HE+ preached to several groups in prison. Now, we do know HE+ did NOT preach in any civilized, governmental prison on earth, so this prison, this stronghold of the souls and spirits of men, must have been located in the heart of the earth where HE+ went. This prison was only for human souls and spirits. They were kept captive. They could not leave. Perhaps this is referred to in Psalm 146:7, which is an obvious reference to The LORD JESUS CHRIST and His+ work.

(To be continued)
** These references will be listed in the next blog.




Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell,
neither wilt thou suffer
thine Holy One to see corruption.
Acts 2: 22-27

The Resurrection of JESUS CHRIST
… the most life-changing event in human history.


+ + +

RESURRECTION SEASON ~ ~ ~ DAY 11 ... In the Heart of The Earth

Resurrection Season ~ ~ ~ Day 11
… In the Heart of the Earth
for the Year of Our LORD, 4.2.2008

For as Jonas was
three days and three nights
in the whale’s belly;
so shall the Son of Man+ be
three days and three nights
in the heart of the earth.

The Words of The LORD JESUS CHRIST,

recorded in Matthew 12:40




What happened

during those 3 days and 3 nights
HE+ spent in the heart of the earth?


However, before we look at what happened, we must first understand what the situation was "in the heart of the earth."

In short, we must take a reasonable look at HELL.


For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell;
neither wilt thou suffer
thine Holy One to see corruption.
Psalm 16:10

To the common mind, hell is a very hot place to which very bad people descend when they die. The KJV translators used hell as an umbrella term to cover four --- (yes, 4!!)--- different words used in the Greek and Hebrew Scriptures.

The first two, briefly, we will define, but it is the last two that will hold our focus.

Hell: Tartarus. This is a Greek word used only in 2 Peter 2:4. It refers to the place where fallen angelic beings are put, reserved for eternal fire at the final judgement.

Hell: Gehenna. This is a Greek word. It is the lake of burning fire of Revelation 19 and 20. Gehenna (Valley of Hinnom) was an actual valley near Jerusalem, west and southwest of it. Some old maps have it marked. A perpetual fire burned there of all manner of trash and refuse, including “unclean” dead bodies of both man and animal. It was here that Jeremiah’s TOPHET was located. (See Jer. 7:31 and chapter 19). Tophet had an altar where apostate Israel burned their sons and daughters as human sacrifices, much to the abhorrence of the LORD.

The LORD used Gehenna 11 times for hell in the Gospels. James used it once. Gehenna, without ceasing, destroys both body and soul (Mt. 5:22,29,30) … and is where their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched… ( Mark 9: 43-48), the LORD JESUS said. Into this lake of burning fire (Gehenna) are thrown Death and Hades at the end of the LORD’S 1,000-year-reign upon the earth (Rev. 20:14). Isaiah 66:24 also has a curious reference about this lake of burning fire, using the same words as found in Mark 9.

For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell;
neither wilt thou suffer
thine Holy One to see corruption.
Psalm 16:10

However, the focus of our discussion here concerns the other two terms translated as hell. In the Old Testament it is Sheol (Heb.) and in the New Testament the word is Hades (Gk). Both of these terms --- Hades and Sheol­­­--- refer to the same place, the abode of the unseen, the dead, the departed human soul & spirit. They both refer to the HEART OF THE EARTH.

Some scholars say it is a hollow place in the heart of the earth. This is because of the reference to Abraham’s Bosom found in Luke 16:22-26. [ NOTE THIS: In ancient societies, people gathered their loose outer garments as a sack, if necessary, to carry measures of meal, grain, etc., pressed close to their chests. See Luke 6:38. Hence bosom was synonymous with a hollowed-out place, in the ancient world.]


Before Our LORD’S death and resurrection, the hell actually known to the ancients as Hades/Sheol was divided into 2 parts, according to Luke 16. A great chasm (Gk) was fixed between the two parts. (Luke 16:22-26 KJV says “gulf”). Some scholars say the two parts were divided into an uppper and a lower region, based on Scriptures like Deuteronomy 32:22, Psalm 63:9, and Proverbs 7:27. The righteous dead went into the part of Hades/Sheol known as Abraham’s Bosom or Paradise (Luke 23:43). They were comforted there, in a pleasant place as was Lazarus.


The SECOND part of hell/Hades/ Sheol was for the UNrighteous dead. Again, Luke 16:22-26 indicates that this part of Hades had absolutely no comfort but rather torments of flame, thirst, and anguishing thoughts. Flames here are such that they afflict only the soul and spirit of man, NOT his physical body.Ezekiel 32:24 calls Hades/ Sheol “the nether parts of the earth.” In Proverbs 9:18, it is called “the depths of Sheol,” in reference to the unrighteous dead. (Keep in mind this is different from Tartarus and Gehenna. In Gehenna, the lake of burning fire, is the flame that afflicts without ceasing both body and soul. )

THE PITS

In this SECOND division of Hades/hell was located a shaft, like a well or mine shaft so to speak. The Greek word used is phrear which means shaft or dungeon; KJV translates that word as pit. This shaft (KJV pit) leads into the abyss… a place with no bottom. This is the same abyss (the deep) that the demons begged The LORD not to send them into before their time. (See Luke 8:31, Mt. 8:29.)

The Hebrew Old Testament word pit, however, is different. In Hebrew, pit seems to be synonymous in usage to grave, Sheol, or corruption. Thus, it is used in Psalms 28:1, 30:3, the Messianic Psalm 40:2, Psalm 88:4, Isaiah 14:15, and that wonderful chapter 9 of Zechariah which says:

“…Behold, you King comes to you.
HE is righteous and victorious;
lowly and riding on a donkey…
His dominion shall be from sea to sea,
and from The River
to the ends of the earth…
by the Blood of Your Covenant
I have freed Your prisoners
from the pit wherein is no water.”
(from verses 9,10, and 11, Green’s Hebrew Interlinear)



So…which part of hell did the living soul and spirit

of Our LORD JESUS CHRIST descend into,

leaving His+ tired, though uncorrupted,

sinless body in the tomb?

Which part was HE+ in for 3 days and 3 nights… and why?

What was HE+ doing down there?

(To be continued)



Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell,
neither wilt thou suffer
thine Holy One to see corruption.
Acts 2: 22-27

The Resurrection of JESUS CHRIST
… the most life-changing event
in human history.


+ + +

Resurrection Day - Day 10~ ~ The Victory

Resurrection Season ~ ~ ~ Day 10
for the Year of Our LORD, 4.1..2008




For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell;
neither wilt thou suffer
thine Holy One to see corruption.
Psalm 16:10

Our LORD came out of the tomb victorious… so victorious that had they known what was going to happen, the wicked ones would never have crucified the King of Glory+.

HE+ accomplished more than one victory. One thing HE+ did to strengthen His+ beleaguered Brethren was to open their eyes and explain His+ coming and going which was written aforetimes in the Prophets and Psalms and other places in the Old Testament. For 40 days HE+ showed Himself+ alive to them. At least once it is recorded --- perhaps there were other times, unrecorded--- HE+ ate with them. HE+ taught them many things during this time, according to the old Christian records. Luke’s account in Acts 1:3 confirms this:

To whom also HE+ shewed himself alive
after His+ passion
by many infallible proofs,
being seen of them forty days,
and speaking of the things
pertaining to the kingdom of GOD:
and also opening up to them

and explaining the scriptures from the Law

and the Prophets concerning Himself+.


Now, let us lay to heart these words of the Apostle Peter, who was delivered of his fear and denial of CHRIST JESUS.


Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man
approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you,

as ye yourselves also know:

Him+, being delivered by the determinate counsel and
foreknowledge of God, ye have taken,

and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:


Whom+ God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death:
because it was not possible that he should be held by it.


For David speaketh concerning HIM+,

I foresaw the Lord always before my face,

for HE+ is on my right hand,

that I should not be moved:

Therefore did my heart rejoice,

and my tongue was glad;

moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:

Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell,
neither wilt thou suffer
thine Holy One to see corruption.
Acts 2: 22-27

The Resurrection of JESUS CHRIST
… the most life-changing event in human history.

We will see why as we explore what happened
during those 3 nights and 3 days
HE+ spent in the heart of the earth.

(To be continued)

Resurrection Day - Day 9 ~ A LIVING HOPE

Resurrection Season ~ ~ ~ Day 9
for the Year of Our LORD, 3.31.2008

We know what the Resurrection did for Our LORD JESUS CHRIST: it gave HIM+ the victory. HE+ won. What did His+ Resurrection do for mankind, for all who follow CHRIST JESUS unto death?

His+ Resurrection DID A WHOLE LOT for mankind!

To start with, here is what the Apostle Peter tells us,

in his first letter:



Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
which according to his abundant mercy
hath begotten us again unto a living hope
by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled,
and that fadeth not away,
reserved in heaven for you…

I Peter 1:3,4


His+ glorious Resurrection brings Christians this: hope. We now have hope that we too will not remain in the heart of the earth…

…nay, we won’t even descend there!

Because of the Resurrection, GOD’S people no longer descend into Abraham’s Bosom when they leave their earthly, Adamic body of flesh. Scripture says that Abraham’s Bosom (Paradise) where the souls of the righteous dead used to go, used to be in the heart of the earth. The unrighteous dead went there also. Before the Resurrection, there was a deep chasm fixed between the two groups and no-one could cross over the deep, (See Luke 16,) according to the Words of The LORD. Keep in mind that these Words of CHRIST in Luke 16 were not a parable.

Those who “SLEEP in the LORD” NEVER die,
The LORD tells us.

How can this be so?

We all know loved ones in CHRIST who have departed this life in faith and the fear of GOD who are NO LONGER WITH US. We all have seen their bodies buried to await the Resurrection when HE+ returns to earth… as King, this time. But for right now, we say they are dead because Life has left their bodies.

However, Our LORD says they are not dead
but rather their lives have been moved elsewhere.

This is the hope we have gained from His+ Resurrection.

(More on this in the next couple of blogs.)


Let us join our hearts in prayer:

O GOD, Who for our deliverance did give Thine Only-Begotten SON+ to the death of the cross, and by His+ glorious resurrection has delivered us from the power of death: Grant that we may abide in His+ presence, both now and beyond the grave. Amen.

Adapted from the CBP, 1979, Collects, amended by the OGS.

RESURRECTION SEASON Day 7 ~~~ Where's the Blood ? ...a blog for our JEWISH friends, those under the Old Covenant.

Resurrection Season ~ ~ ~ Day 7

This is a blog for our JEWISH friends,

those whose hope remains in the Old Covenant,

(which is ineffective without Blood)

instead of the New Covenant...

which is made effective by the HOLY LAMB of GOD,

our Passover LAMB.

Where's the Blood ?

Ah, my friend
… such a plight!
Where’s the BLOOD
this Passover Night?

Where’s the BLOOD
So red and cruel
To cover our sins
… the unchanged rule.

CircumSign marks
HIS people in skin.
HIS Covenant requires
BLOOD for sin.

Where is that BLOOD
When Death doth hover;
It’s written plain:
NO BLOOD--- NO COVER.

Without the BLOOD
Our doom is sealed.
HIS Word is sure;
HIS Judgment real.

Is our GOD on Judgment Day
Unfair ? … But that
Is not HIS way.

Does GOD, our Hope,
Command such pay…
Then let us grope
To find the way?

Has HaSHEM
In Whom we trust
Abandoned us…
In great disgust?

Did our Rock
In desert holes
Water our flesh…
To slay our souls?

GOD forbid!
Yet no-one stands
On Judgment Day
With defiled hands.

No BLOOD in “works”
As we’ve been taught.
This is NOT found
In Torah thought.

Sins are covered
by Moses’ Law?
No… its work
Reveals our flaws.

Meticulous laws,
detailed, GOD taught.
No BLOOD covers
fallen man’s thought.

Unsuffered to hew
Even one altar stone.
That act defiles it.
Man is left alone.

Wait! Is GOD nonchalant?
Has integrity declined?
Are HIS chosen forsaken?
Has GOD changed HIS Mind?

NO! HE provides.
HIS love, undiminished.
HIS Holiness wrought
The Work that HE finished.

Abraham and Isaac
Pointed the Way
HIS Provision would come:
Blood--- HOLY--- would pay.

The blood of bulls
and goats is done.
HaSHEM covered us
In HIS SON.

King David spoke clearly
of THIS ONE+
When he admonished:
Kiss the SON+ !

The HOLY ONE of Israel
Did come down.
HE offered HIMSELF;
HE wore no crown.

But thorns did don
and flesh did wear.
A LAMB HE+ was…
Our sins did bear.

+

The BLOOD requirement
Now is met.
Unblemished Lamb,
HE+ paid our debt.

The Law is kept
By HIM, precise.
MESSIAH’S BLOOD,
HIS sacrifice.

Death could not hold
GOD’s HOLY ONE.
HE+ swallowed up Death.
In Victory, HE+ will come.

No longer a LAMB,
Moshiach now roars.
HIS+ glory the Lion
of Judah restores.

HE+ Who came
To the Ancient of Days,
The Son+ of Man,
Is Judge of man’s ways.

Mene, mene, Tekel …
From hardness depart.
Let not that be etched
On the wall of your heart.

Spirit of Truth
versus Spirit of Error:
Stubbornness yields
Inescapable Terror.

His+ mercy-filled love,
His+ Grace--- do not fear it.
Men hungry for Truth
HE+ will fill with His+ Spirit.

To those under the Old Covenant, may The LORD JESHUA reveal HIMSELF+ to you today that you may be filled with hope... the only hope available for mankind... in believing The Word and Provision of HaSHEM... the Blood sacrifice HaSHEM gave to cover your sins... the TRUE PASSOVER LAMB.

HE+ has Blood aplenty for all.

Poem by Sister Judith Hannah of the Order of The GOOD SHEPHERD, 1998. Hebrew text says: "Where's the Blood?" and "Here's the Blood!" All drawings and photos by The Order of the GOOD SHEPHERD also. The red blossoms are on a Hawthorne bush in the back yard of the hermitage. The Hawthorne bush is also known as the "Crown of Thorns" bush because of its very prominent stout thorns. Legend says HIS+ crown of thorns was taken from this shrub.

Resurrection Season ~ ~ ~Day 6

Resurrection Season ~ ~ ~ Day 6
For the Year of Our LORD, 3. 28 .2008


Let this mind be in you,

which was also in CHRIST JESUS:
Who+, being in the form of GOD,

thought it not a thing to be held onto

to be equal with GOD:

+ + +

But made HIMSELF+ of no reputation,

and took upon HIM+ the form of a servant,

and was made in the likeness of men:

+ + +

And being found in fashion as a man,

HE+ humbled HIMSELF+,

and became obedient unto death,
even the death of the cross.

Wherefore GOD also hath highly exalted HIM+,

and given HIM+ a name

which is above every name:

That at the name of JESUS every knee should bow,

of heavenly beings*,

and earthly beings*,

and beings* under the earth;

And that every tongue should confess

that JESUS CHRIST IS LORD,

to the glory of GOD the FATHER.
*Gk adaptations, Phil. 2:5-11



Glory be to The FATHER, and to The SON+, and to the HOLY SPIRIT. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be;

world without end.

Amen.

+ + +

RESURRECTION SEASON ~ ~ ~ Day 4

Resurrection Season ~ ~ ~ Day 4
For the Year of Our LORD, 3.26.2008



CHRIST is risen from the dead

And become the first-fruits of them that slept.

For since by man came death

By Man+ came also the Resurrection of the dead.

For as in Adam all die,

Even so in CHRIST shall all be made alive,

In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye,

At the last trumpet.

For the trumpet shall sound,

And the dead shall be raised

Incorruptible,

And we shall be changed.



Glory be to The FATHER, and to The SON+, and to the HOLY SPIRIT. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be; world without end. Amen.


HE+ did it all for us.

RESURRECTION ~ ~ ~ Day 1

Resurrection Day
~ ~ ~ Day 1~ ~ ~

CHRIST is risen!

HE+ is risen indeed!

Hallelujah!

CHRIST the SON of the LIVING GOD
has arisen from the dead!

Hallelujah!

CHRIST the SON of the LIVING GOD
ever liveth to make intercession for us.

Hallelujah!


CHRIST the SON of the LIVING GOD
is coming again in flaming fire,
to take vengeance on them who know not GOD
and obey not the Gospel of our LORD JESUS CHRIST.

Hallelujah!


CHRIST the SON of the LIVING GOD
is seated at the Right Hand of the FATHER.

Hallelujah!
+ + +

HOLY WEEK ~ ~ ~ The GREAT NIGHT

Holy Week ~~~ Day of the Wielka Noc

+ + +

[The GREAT NIGHT ]

The Polish call it the "Vi-elk-ah Notes"... the Great Night which heralded in the Greatest Deed Done on Earth for Fallen Man... the Resurrection of Our LORD JESUS CHRIST... the unblemished LAMB+ of GOD.

+ + +

Some honor this time with a Great Night Vigil. Some read through the Gospel accounts of His+ Crucifixion. Some stay in prayer through the night and fast, awaiting the Dayspring from on High.

+ + +

Some do nothing... think nothing... feel nothing... about it.

Lord have mercy.

+ + +

HE+ has done His+ part.Whoever will may come and partake of His+ Life... if one comes His+ way, as HE+ said.

+ + +

The tremendous gift of Eternal Life was obtained at Great Sacrifice for us miserable human beings. Let us love HIM+ Who obtained Life for us with all of our hearts, our minds, and our souls.

+ + +

LORD JESUS CHRIST, we praise You for what You have done for us. To You be all honor and glory, Who, with Your HOLY FATHER, and His Most Blessed Holy Spirit, live and reign , ONE GOD, for ever and ever, to the endless Eternal Ages, Amen.

+ + +

HOLY WEEK ~ Day Three Following Palm Lauds of Our Savior

Holy Week ~~~ HE+ Set His+ Face

For Day Three Following the Palm Lauds of Our LORD

For the Year of Our LORD, 3.19.2008

And it came to pass,

when the time was come that HE+ should be received up,

HE+ stedfastly set His+ Face to go to Jerusalem.

Luke 9:51

Hallelujah, my FATHER, for giving us Your SON+,

For sending HIM+ into the world to be given up by man.

Knowing we would bruise HIM+ and smite HIM+ from the earth...

Hallelujah, my FATHER, His+ death is my birth;

Hallelujah, my FATHER, His+ Life is my life.

Amen and Amen.

+ + +

(This is an old Charismatic prayer group song from the 70's... possibly from the Word of GOD Christian Community in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Feel free to send me more accurate information... it's been 30 plus years ago that I heard this plaintive song.)