for jcrichton
Before Jesus died and became the perfect sacrifice to forgive sins animals were scrificed. According to the sacred scriptures animal sacrifice would only cover sins until the perfect sacrifice came. Before Jesus Christ, who was fully God and fully man, died the soul went to a place called Sheoul. Sheoul was into the earth and was divided by a large chasm. On one side were the people who were good and the other side were the people who were bad. Jesus told the story of the rich man and Lazurus who were divided by the chasm in Sheoul. Lazurus was on the good side, which was also called Abraham’s Bosom. Lazurus was poor and begged for food and was ignored by Lazurus. Lazurus was on the bad side. He begged for the sweat off the brow of Lazurus. The good side was awaiting the perfect sacrifice that would forgive their sins and not just cover them.
Now remember that Jesus descended into hell after he died. That’s part of the Apostle’s Creed. Also remember that many of the righteous people who were dead were raised from the dead immediately at the time of Jesus’ death. Jesus descended into hell to release those of the good side of Sheoul. Those souls were then allowed to enter heaven with that perfectly white robe that was cleansed by the blood of Christ.
There is also strong evidence that Jesus preached the Gospel to those who lived before the flood on the bad side of Sheoul. They had the same opportunity as we have today.
Come quickly Lord Jesus! We can hear the hoofbeats of the four horsemen. Rescue us from the wrath to come.
