Jesus went to hell, so that you did not have to…

As I read this passage:

Acts 2:31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

Question: How could Jesus soul be not left in hell, unless he had already been there?

Jesus went to hell!

Eph 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
v 9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
v10  He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

The way I see it, Jesus, God the Son, became man and lived sinless upon this earth for 33 years. He died upon the cross, and His Spirit separated from His body, and he went to a place called Abraham’s bosum, or paradise. Yet, He decended into hell and took from Satan the keys to death and hell, that we who would receive Him might live forevermore!

Re 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

In Psalm 22, I believe we have a snap shot into the realm of the spirits foretelling Jesus literally dying upon the cross:

Ps 22:12 Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.

Here, all the host of hell, demon spirits taunted and tormented Him, until He gave up the ghost, and committed His Spirit back into the hands of our heavenly Father, judge of the living and the dead.

Ever wondered what happened to Jesus, during the three days and nights that His spirit left His body, while His body lay dead in the tomb?

I have, and this is what I believe.

I believe that Ps 22 is a prophetic picture of Jesus death upon the cross and his resurrection from the dead. That these ‘strong bulls of Bashan’ are actual demon spirits mocking Jesus in hell, the place where he rolled the weight of sin off of His spirit, that had been laid upon Him on the cross.

That after God had judged Him innocent, sinless, and accepted His sacrifice for our sins, He was given the authority back, that Adam gave away through treason, to satan as god of this world.

Jesus was given these keys, and He ascended from hell and grave, forever victorious over death, hell and the grave, Alive forevermore.

Ps 22:20 Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog.
21 Save me from the lion’s mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.
22 ¶ I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.

I WILL!

Faith stronger than death!

I believe that this is the faith that was alive in Jesus as He hung upon the cross, and while His spirit was in hell, awaiting the judgement of His vindication from the throne of God, He, in hell, saw Himself being raised from the dead, and was determined to praise God, after it was all done!

My translation of v22 ¶ I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.

“After this is all over Father, I’m bringing back to you, the family you sent me to redeem and adopt, and I will declare who you are to them, my brothers and sisters, the great congregation that will gather before your throne, your family, and together with them, I will praise you!”

This is what is spoken of here in Acts 2: 30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;
31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.
32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

Maybe you feel like you are going through hell right now.

Life is so dark, circumstances so desperate, that there is quite honestly no way out of your predicament, in the natural.

Jesus knows, understands, and if you have received Him as your Saviour and Lord, is with you in it!

He has Risen from the Dead!

He is Alive, and He is Lord, victorious over death, hell, and the grave.

The Good News, the gospel is this: You too will arise, victorious over this long dark night of your soul!

He will deliver you, if you will only believe…

IF you do not, I am reminded of the following quotation:
“You need not tell me there is no hell, for I already feel my soul slipping into its fires! Wretches, cease your idle talk about there being hope for me! I know I am lost forever.”
Sir Francis Newport, head of an English infidel club, on his deathbed.

Let’s Pray:
‘Father, I believe that you raised Jesus from the dead, and you are the only hope that I have today, there is no where else to go. Jesus, raise my life out of this dead place, that I might bring you praise, glory and honor, simply because you can, and you are good. I choose to receive your love and power, now. Amen!