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.
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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.
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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.
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The familiar Messianic passage of Isaiah 61:1 says:
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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.
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This Scripture refers to The LORD JESUS CHRIST because HE+ Himself told us it did, in Luke 4:18-21.
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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:
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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).
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When The LORD turns the captivity of Zion, the entire Psalm 126 speaks of great joy.
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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.
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We recall Our LORD'S words in John 10:15-16 :
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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+.
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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?
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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.
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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.]
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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