it's a mistery
i also want to know
devin and those like him, can only mislead you, and will be allowed to on this Forum.
I wont do that to you.
Let me explain what devin is confused about, so that you are not confused by this person's deceptive theology.
I'll explain it accurately, >theologically, using a parable that is not just an Analogy, that was taught by Jesus.
Let me set up the 4 parts of the theology for you, reader.
1. spirits in prison
2. hell
3. paradise
4. Abraham's bosom.
Now.....Here is how all this fits together, theologically.
In the OLD Testament, you have a place that is called "Abraham's Bosom".......Its where the Old Testament Saint's (Spirits) went after they died.
They didnt go to heaven, as they had not been redeemed by the Blood of Jesus, as the Cross was not available to them Yet.
This place, of waiting, is not punishment.......so, its not Hell.....its not Judgement.
Its this place....= "paradise".
"Paradise", in the context of "Abraham's bosom" is the same place.
"Paradise" = "Abraham's Bosom".
Peter speaks of it, when he writes : "the spirits in prison"
He calls it a prison, because they can't get out until the Redeemer come's there to free them.
This is Christ, their/our Redeemer.
Now, on the Cross, Jesus said to the Dying Thief....>"today, you will be with ME, ....= in Paradise.
See that?
He's going there. Both of them.
See "paradise"?.... Jesus is not going to Heaven right after He dies......He's going to Hell and to Paradise.
Jesus goes to Hell, because that is where you will go, if you are not born again, as that is judgement for your Sin.
Jesus, "became sin" on the Cross, and he has to pay the full price for your redemption.....which means He has to go to Hell for you.
And he did.......but he didnt stay there.
He also went to "paradise"....where the Old Testament Saints were waiting for their redemption as : "spirits in prison".... This is not hell.....This is paradise, ...its "Abraham's Bosom". Its a separate place.
The verse says that Jesus preached "to the spirits in prison".......that is Christ, after dying on the Cross ALSO going there to deal with the Old Testament saints... This is the 'preached to the spirit's in Prison".
See, they are not in their body, as they are dead......Their body is dead, but they exist as we all do, as a eternal spirit. And their Spirit went to "paradise" (Abraham's Bosom)..not hell. Jesus went to both. The dying Thief went only to "Paradise"....which is Abraham's Bosom.
Now, let me show you that "paradise" is not "Hell", as devin is going to try to continue to convince you that Hell is temporary, as that is what his "church".... has led him to believe.
Now notice these verses given by JESUS, and see how they complete the teaching i gave you......how it fits perfectly.
9: There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
20: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
21: And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
22: And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into ABRAHAMS's BOSOM: the rich man also died, and was buried;
23: And in HELL he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus IN HIS BOSOM
24: And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
25: But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
26: AND BESIDE ALL THIS, BETWEEN US THERE IS A GREAT GULF THAT IS FIXED , THAT THEY WHICH WOULD PASS FROM HERE TO YOU CANNOT,....NEITHER CAN THEY PASS TO US.....that would come from there """".
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Now..
Did you read that carefully, reader?
This is Jesus teaching that there is HELL, where the rich man is, and there is Paradise, which is "Abraham's Bosom" where Lazarus is waiting.
2 different places.
And Abraham, who is in paradise, (Abraham's Bosom) tells the rich man who is in the other place = HELL, where the damned go....that he can't come to paradise, and Abraham and those in paradise can't come to him...in hell.
See that?
You dont get out of hell. Its "FIXED".....permanent, till a Christ Rejector meets God at the Great White Throne.
And if you read more of the verses Jesus was teaching, he defined Hell as a place of '"TORMENT.""
And it gets worse, as the Lake of Fire is worse.... and that is where you end up, FOREVER, if you die a Christ rejector.
So, Jesus said from the Cross to the dying thief : "today you will be with me in Paradise.".. and that is because the dying thief went there, and Jesus showed up soon to 'preach to the spirit's " there, and that place is Abraham's Bosom, where all the Old Testament Saint's went, who were not sent to hell.
Reader, you do not get out of Hell., because the reason you went there, is the reason you will stay.
You were never born again, and in Hell, you can not be born again.
You can only be born again, on earth....while you are alive and can hear the Gospel and believe it.
There is no Cross in Hell, offered, reader.
There is no Gospel preached in Hell... reader.
Hell is eternal, and its a part of the process of DAMNATION, that is caused by this.... John 3:36