MYSTERY OF THE 3 DAYS

Matthew 12: 40

For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so shall the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

 

WHAT DID JESUS DO FOR THE 3 DAYS?

 

The Old Covenant men and women of GOD, who were faithful to GOD, went to the Bosom of Abraham or Hades. GOD had prepared a place for the departed souls to wait for JESUS to prepare a place in Heaven for them. It is only through the Blood of JESUS that Atonement, and life in Glory would be accomplished. Therefore, the faithful resided in Hades/paradise/sheol/Bosom of Abraham until JESUS came to release them and welcome them to Glory. There they would live with Him forever. 

JESUS is the first to enter into Heaven then He could release those who were waiting to come to Him and receive the promise of Eternal Life. JESUS said that He was going to prepare a place for the faithful and He promised that where He was, they would be also. Now, where He is we will be also.

Hades had two parts to it: 1. the upper region which is called the Bosom of Abraham, and 2. the lower region which is the place of torment.  The account of Lazarus and the rich man in Luke 16: 19-31 tells the story of the relationship between the two regions of Hades. There is a great gulf between them and the people in the lower could not pass into the upper, nor could the upper region assist those in the lower. 

JESUS went into Hades during the three days to lead captivity captive and to open the prison doors to those who were bound (Ephesians 4: 8-10). Then He led the great train of the faithful into the fulfillment of the promise; life in Heaven. Now, through JESUS, the faithful go to Glory to the prepared place in Heaven; the upper region of Hades has been emptied and closed.

JESUS DESCENDED INTO HADES AND LED FORTH THE FAITHFUL INTO GLORY