WHY OLD TESTAMENT SAINTS WENT TO HELL AND NOT HEAVEN: Holiness Revival Movement Worldwide.

EVERY WORD OF GOD FOR DAILY LIVING

BY PASTOR PAUL RIKA
(Int. Director Holiness Revival Movement Worldwide)

DATE:
SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2020
 
TEXT:
Luke 23:42-46

Key verse:
Hebrews 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

The Old Testament saints who died before the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ could not go directly to heaven but went to paradise which was located in hell. At that time, hell had two compartments called paradise and hell fire. 

While hell fire is a place of torment for the wicked, paradise was a place of perfect peace, joy, and blessing. This happened because it was not possible for the blood of animals to completely settle the case of sin and open the door of heaven for man. It was only the blood of Jesus Christ that could do that. 

Until the coming of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who took away the sins of the world, righteous men that died had no access to heaven. They went to paradise (also called Abram's bosom) which was located beside hell fire, underneath the earth. The blood of Jesus was to be sprinkled upon heaven to open the door for man, because it was the final sacrifice that would finish the sin problem.

As for the saints of old who believed God's commandments and were using animals to sacrifice unto God for righteousness, the LORD accepted them. He obliged this and commanded them to abide in paradise underneath the earth and await His Son whom He would send to the world to offer His blood for them. The blood of animals is not spiritually righteous enough to take anyone to heaven. 

Now since they obeyed, God gave them paradise as a temporary abode. God accepted their righteousness, by the faith of Jesus who would come into the world. Therefore, when Jesus came and offered His sacrifice for the world, He needed to go to heaven and sprinkle heaven with His own blood to open the door of heaven to
mankind so that those who die in righteousness could now go direct to heaven.

Remember that when Jesus resurrected, Mary wanted to hug Him but He objected. He was practically telling her, “Don't touch Me anymore for I have not yet gone to My Father and your Father; My God and your God. Therefore, don't touch Me yet because I am going to heaven to sprinkle the blood I shed for you on the cross and open heaven for mankind.”


Thought for the day:
He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

Song for the day:
Over the river Jordan, we shall meet

Bible reading for the day:
1 Kings 3-5; Luke 23:1-26