Where did Christ go After His Death on the Cross?

Question:

How do you read the story of Lazarus and the Rich man?  Where do you think Christ went after his death on the Cross?

Submitted on July 1, 1999 by DW

Answer: (Bro. Brian Tipton)

The story of the Rich man and Lazarus can be found in Luke 16:19-31. In this story we learn that the Rich man who had lived a life of sin was sent to Hades and Lazarus who was judged righteous was sent to Abraham's Bosom or paradise after they died. I don't know which translation of the Bible you are using. The NIV translates Hades in verse 23 as Hell. The Hades in verse 23 is not the final place of torment. The final place of eternal destruction is called Gehenna in the Greek. These are two distinct places. Both places are places of torment (verse 23) but Gehenna Hell is reserved for the eternal separation from the presence of God and is often called the Lake of Fire (Rev 20:14-15). 

In this story we here of a place denoted as Abraham's bosom (or side). We also learn that this place was a place of rest and comfort for the righteous (verse 25) Hence, it seems that there was a place prepared for the righteous to await judgment day as well. The righteous wait for eternal life in Heaven and the unrighteous await eternal destruction in Hell. One important thing we learn from the story is that all people will know what their final destination is immediately after they die. If you find yourself in Paradise you will go to Heaven. If you find yourself in torment in Hades, it is only going to get worse at the Judgment. We must remember that God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34) If one righteous person goes to Abraham's side at death then all righteous person's will go to Abraham's side at death. If one unrighteous person goes to Hades at death then all unrighteous people will go to Hades at death. Each awaiting their final place of rest or torment. 

I believe you were wondering if this is where Jesus went after his crucifixion. The answer is yes. Let's look at a couple of verses. While speaking to the thief on the cross, Jesus told him, 

"And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:43)

Here we find out another name for the place known as Abraham's bosom. The place is paradise. We know from the story of Lazarus and the Rich man that the place where righteous people go to at death is Abraham's side. Both Jesus and the thief who believed in Christ were going to paradise or Abraham's side. These are Christ's own words. We know that paradise is not Heaven because if the thief actually went to heaven after his death, God would have shown favoritism to him and his Word teaches that he respects no man above another (Acts 10:34). 

Upon his resurrection, Christ told Mary Magdelene, 

"...Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" (John 20:17)

Here Jesus tells us plainly that he has not returned to his Father, yet. God the Father is in Heaven where his throne is (Matt. 5:34) Christ therefore, had not been back to Heaven yet, because he not returned to the Father yet. Again, paradise and heaven are two distinct, separate places. 

In summary we see that, 

1. There is a place appointed for all people to go after death. (Luke 16:22, implied) 
2. The righteous to paradise (Abraham's bosom) (Luke 16:22) 
3. The evil to Hell (Hades) (Luke 16:23) 
4. The righteous shall enter heaven (Matt 5:10) 
5. The unrighteous shall be cast into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:14-15) 
6. Jesus declared that he would be in paradise after his death (Luke 23:43) 
7. Jesus declared that he had not ascended back to the Father in Heaven after his resurrection (John 20:17) 

We do know from the book of Acts, though, that Jesus did ascend into Heaven (Acts 1:11). We also know that he has given all authority in Heaven and in Earth (Matt. 28:18) And we know that he is now seated at the right hand of God (Col 3:1, Romans 8:34, Acts 7:56) We also know that Jesus has been made both Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36) Therefore, it is imperative that we obey the words that Christ left us, the Bible. John teaches us in I John 2:3, that "We know that we have come to know him IF we obey his commands." Obedience to Christ is the only thing that will enable us enter Paradise when we die and to enter eternal life in Heaven after judgment. 

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