Death and Hades
Introduction. One of the greatest controversies among the Jews in New Testament times centered on the resurrection. “Sadducees say that there is no resurrection — and no angel or spirit; but the Pharisees confess both.” (Acts 23:8). As recorded in Matt. 22, Mark 12, and Luke 20, the Sadducees threw their most complicated debating point at Jesus and He took it apart step by step. Jesus swept away their sophistry, saying “Are you not therefore mistaken, because you do not know the Scriptures nor the power of God?” First, Jesus corrected their error regarding the seven brothers and marriage: “in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven.” He then showed them what a true knowledge of Scripture would reveal. At the burning bush, God had long ago revealed to Moses that life continued after death: “I am the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” (Ex. 3:6) Since God “is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living”, the souls of those who have died were still living somewhere. Thus those who do not believe in life after death or the resurrection of the dead “are therefore greatly mistaken.” (Mk. 12:18-27).
That the soul entered Hades at death had also been revealed by David in the 16th Psalm. “David says concerning Him,” “you will not leave my soul in Hades, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.” Since he “spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption”, both the resurrection and the soul entering Hades were established facts of revelation long before Jesus came into the world. (Acts 2:25-32). Thus the soul leaving the body at death, entering Hades, then leaving Hades to return to the body were not only confirmed and established, they were actually ancient truths revealed long ago.
Continuing to live after death in Hades were established facts for Jesus to build upon. Jesus further expanded our knowledge of the events surrounding death. In the account (some say parable) of the rich man and Lazarus, Jesus spoke of “things kept secret from the foundation of the world.” (Mt. 13:35). He revealed that there are two realms in Hades. The soul of the wicked rich man was “being in torments in Hades.” On this side of Hades, Jesus used the words of the rich man, to reveal a need to “cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.” and Abraham’s words that here “you are tormented.” (Lk. 16:19-26).
Hades was divided into two distinct realms. While the rich man entered into Hades to a place of torment and flames, righteous Lazarus was on the other side of “a great gulf fixed.” Lazarus was being comforted in the presence of Abraham. This new revelation opened the eyes of His disciples to the amazing truths about death. Death is a journey that begins with the eternal spirit leaving the body and ends in Hades. Which side of Hades is decided by God based on the faith and conduct of the one who has died.
Jesus spoke of His own journey into Hades to the thief as He was dying on the cross. He promised that He would take the thief with Him on this journey that would end in Paradise: “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise” (Lk. 23:43). This name has great significance as it was the name God had given to the “garden” in Eden. Why would Jesus call the one side of the “great fixed chasm” where Abraham and Lazarus were waiting a garden / paradise? One thing is sure, since Jesus’ “soul was not left in Hades,” and Jesus went to Paradise at His death, Paradise is within the realm of Hades. The fact that Jesus stated that the wicked rich man was “being in torments in Hades” makes it clear that Hades is the realm of all the dead. On one side of Hades, all the righteous are living in Paradise and on the other side is torments with a great chasm or gulf fixed in between.
The events at the high mountain where Jesus was transfigured further confirm this. As “His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light, … behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them.” Luke added, “two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of His exodus which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.” (Mt. 17:2-3; Lk. 9:30-32). Yet Moses had been dead for 1400 years and Elijah 850 years. For these “two men” to “appear in glory,” “stand with” and “speak to” Jesus is very powerful testimony of the state of the souls of the righteous in Hades. They are in Paradise, dwelling in glory and comfort.
What this reveals about death is very important. Death was created and made possible the day Adam and Eve sinned in the garden of Eden. At death, “the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.” (Eccl 12:7). Death is the end of life on earth, but not the end for our eternal soul. Beginning with the death of Abel at the hands of Cain, the eternal souls of men and women leave their material bodies and their eternal spirit is taken into Hades. The angels who carried Lazarus and the chariot that carried Elijah led both of them into Hades (2Kings 2:11).
When Paul “whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows” entered the realm of Hades, he was “caught up to the third heaven.” Since the first heaven is the firmament God called heaven (atmosphere) and the second heaven is the “lights in the firmament of the heavens” (Gen. 1:1-19), the third heaven is not of this creation. There “He was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words,” (2Cor. 12:1-7). Thus the departed souls of men are taken into the third heaven and introduced to the spiritual realm where God and His angels dwell. The righteous in Paradise are given their first taste of the glory of heaven while the wicked are introduced to the terrible punishment that eventually awaits them in the lake of fire (Rev. 20:14-15).
After Paul witnessed the paradise that existed in the third heaven, he saw death in a very different light. No longer a loss and a leaving of all that this world holds, it is now a journey leading to “a gain” which is “very far better” for the righteous. He had also learned that “the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2Cor. 4:18).
When Jesus died and entered Paradise in Hades, His soul was not left there. When He returned, He had the power over the captivity of Hades. “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive.” (Eph 4:8). After this, Jesus proclaimed: “I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.” (Rev 1:17-18). When Jesus entered Hades, death reigned. When He ascended back into heaven (John 20:17; Acts 1:9-11), death had been conquered and the keys of both death and Hades were now in His possession. Hence, “as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” (Heb. 2:14-15).
Now that “Christ is risen from the dead.” He “has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.” (1Cor. 15:20-22). When Adam sinned, he brought death into the world. When Jesus became flesh, dwelt among us, and suffered death, He brought the power of the resurrection into the world, promising that at the end of this age, “all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth — those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. (Jn. 5:28-29).
Conclusion. Everything has been done to fulfill all of God’s promises to His people. Jesus suffered death to destroy him who has the power of death, the devil. He died and entered the captivity of death and Hades. He now holds the keys to open their bars. With all this in place we can all be “eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body” (Rom. 8:23). Soon, after “the last enemy that will be destroyed is death” (1Cor. 15:26), “then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’” (1Cor. 15:54). Jesus, building on the words at the burning bush and David’s words about the resurrection has given us a great hope and motivation. If we remain faithful, when our soul returns to God who gave it, we will be comforted in glory in the beauty of paradise, waiting, like those who lived before us:
That the soul entered Hades at death had also been revealed by David in the 16th Psalm. “David says concerning Him,” “you will not leave my soul in Hades, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.” Since he “spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption”, both the resurrection and the soul entering Hades were established facts of revelation long before Jesus came into the world. (Acts 2:25-32). Thus the soul leaving the body at death, entering Hades, then leaving Hades to return to the body were not only confirmed and established, they were actually ancient truths revealed long ago.
Continuing to live after death in Hades were established facts for Jesus to build upon. Jesus further expanded our knowledge of the events surrounding death. In the account (some say parable) of the rich man and Lazarus, Jesus spoke of “things kept secret from the foundation of the world.” (Mt. 13:35). He revealed that there are two realms in Hades. The soul of the wicked rich man was “being in torments in Hades.” On this side of Hades, Jesus used the words of the rich man, to reveal a need to “cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.” and Abraham’s words that here “you are tormented.” (Lk. 16:19-26).
Hades was divided into two distinct realms. While the rich man entered into Hades to a place of torment and flames, righteous Lazarus was on the other side of “a great gulf fixed.” Lazarus was being comforted in the presence of Abraham. This new revelation opened the eyes of His disciples to the amazing truths about death. Death is a journey that begins with the eternal spirit leaving the body and ends in Hades. Which side of Hades is decided by God based on the faith and conduct of the one who has died.
Jesus spoke of His own journey into Hades to the thief as He was dying on the cross. He promised that He would take the thief with Him on this journey that would end in Paradise: “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise” (Lk. 23:43). This name has great significance as it was the name God had given to the “garden” in Eden. Why would Jesus call the one side of the “great fixed chasm” where Abraham and Lazarus were waiting a garden / paradise? One thing is sure, since Jesus’ “soul was not left in Hades,” and Jesus went to Paradise at His death, Paradise is within the realm of Hades. The fact that Jesus stated that the wicked rich man was “being in torments in Hades” makes it clear that Hades is the realm of all the dead. On one side of Hades, all the righteous are living in Paradise and on the other side is torments with a great chasm or gulf fixed in between.
The events at the high mountain where Jesus was transfigured further confirm this. As “His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light, … behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them.” Luke added, “two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of His exodus which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.” (Mt. 17:2-3; Lk. 9:30-32). Yet Moses had been dead for 1400 years and Elijah 850 years. For these “two men” to “appear in glory,” “stand with” and “speak to” Jesus is very powerful testimony of the state of the souls of the righteous in Hades. They are in Paradise, dwelling in glory and comfort.
What this reveals about death is very important. Death was created and made possible the day Adam and Eve sinned in the garden of Eden. At death, “the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.” (Eccl 12:7). Death is the end of life on earth, but not the end for our eternal soul. Beginning with the death of Abel at the hands of Cain, the eternal souls of men and women leave their material bodies and their eternal spirit is taken into Hades. The angels who carried Lazarus and the chariot that carried Elijah led both of them into Hades (2Kings 2:11).
When Paul “whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows” entered the realm of Hades, he was “caught up to the third heaven.” Since the first heaven is the firmament God called heaven (atmosphere) and the second heaven is the “lights in the firmament of the heavens” (Gen. 1:1-19), the third heaven is not of this creation. There “He was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words,” (2Cor. 12:1-7). Thus the departed souls of men are taken into the third heaven and introduced to the spiritual realm where God and His angels dwell. The righteous in Paradise are given their first taste of the glory of heaven while the wicked are introduced to the terrible punishment that eventually awaits them in the lake of fire (Rev. 20:14-15).
After Paul witnessed the paradise that existed in the third heaven, he saw death in a very different light. No longer a loss and a leaving of all that this world holds, it is now a journey leading to “a gain” which is “very far better” for the righteous. He had also learned that “the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2Cor. 4:18).
When Jesus died and entered Paradise in Hades, His soul was not left there. When He returned, He had the power over the captivity of Hades. “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive.” (Eph 4:8). After this, Jesus proclaimed: “I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.” (Rev 1:17-18). When Jesus entered Hades, death reigned. When He ascended back into heaven (John 20:17; Acts 1:9-11), death had been conquered and the keys of both death and Hades were now in His possession. Hence, “as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” (Heb. 2:14-15).
Now that “Christ is risen from the dead.” He “has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.” (1Cor. 15:20-22). When Adam sinned, he brought death into the world. When Jesus became flesh, dwelt among us, and suffered death, He brought the power of the resurrection into the world, promising that at the end of this age, “all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth — those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. (Jn. 5:28-29).
Conclusion. Everything has been done to fulfill all of God’s promises to His people. Jesus suffered death to destroy him who has the power of death, the devil. He died and entered the captivity of death and Hades. He now holds the keys to open their bars. With all this in place we can all be “eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body” (Rom. 8:23). Soon, after “the last enemy that will be destroyed is death” (1Cor. 15:26), “then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’” (1Cor. 15:54). Jesus, building on the words at the burning bush and David’s words about the resurrection has given us a great hope and motivation. If we remain faithful, when our soul returns to God who gave it, we will be comforted in glory in the beauty of paradise, waiting, like those who lived before us:
- These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. (Heb. 11:13-16 NKJV).