Was people of the Old Testament saved?

[Wantingtoknow6783]

Hello all, I was just curious as if people were saved in the old testament before Christ fulfilled his passion. The reason I ask this question is because all are born in sin which makes us unrighteous with God, correct? Abraham the father of all nations was justified in having faith and God credited that faith to him as righteousness. If it was possible to be righteous before God by having faith like Abraham did, when all are born in sin, then what happened to that sin of Abraham? God needed to put it on somebody and Jesus was the man that bore all our sins and erased all our sins by his blood. If you were able to be declared righteous back then, why exactly did Christ come? We know Abraham did not get sent to hell because people like Lazarus was sent to his bosom and that is a place of comfort while hell is the opposite and is a place of torment. We also see how Enoch and Elijah were taken up by God and yet they were born in sin. So my question is how exactly are some of these great people of the bible forgiven and taken by God when the Christ did not fulfill his passion? Were people able to get saved in the Old Testament? Were people able to call upon Christ's name in the Old Testament and be forgiven that way even before Christ came and fulfilled his passion? If the answer to these questions are no, then how do you explain Abraham, Elijah and Enoch?

 

[justvisiting]

Yes they were saved, by a future act of Christ, which relied on their faith. We still technically are not fully saved (redeemed), until the transformation of our bodies at the second coming of Christ.
Sorry if this is too long. Read I Cor. 15 and Heb. 11 1 Thess. 4:13-17 When Christ died and rose again. He paid for all the sins of the past, present, and future. That includes us. They knew about the Messiah that was to come. Isaiah 53 mentions him. In fact, he visited with Abraham in the heat of the day, with Job in the whirlwind etc. It also mentions Melchizedek in Hebrews (like unto the son of God)
1 Peter 4:5  Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick(living) and the dead.
6  For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them THAT ARE DEAD, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
It appears after Christ rose that He preached to the saints. I admit that is not much to go on for a doctrine.I can't see it meaning the atonement of Christ (the gospel) was taught to the Hebrews...because they believed in a delivering Messiah? Maybe it was though? Isa. 53?? They definitely knew about the Messiah though, and they were taught that the life is in the blood (animal sacrifice)... If they knew fully about the redeeming work of Christ through the cross, I don't think they would have practiced animal sacrifice. They looked for a city, whose builder and maker is God. Hebrews 9:11  But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;12  Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
Hebrews 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
14  For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
15  And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
16  But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
Hebrews 11:39  And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:40  God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
The price has been paid for them and us, when Christ offered himself ONCE and for ALL.
1 Corinthians 15:20  ¶But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
21  For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
22  For as in Adam ALL die, even so IN Christ shall ALL be made alive.
23  But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

 

[justvisiting]

I'm going through this because really your question is about what kind of understanding the OT saints had of redemption and how they were justified and saved.There are some revealing things about what some knew in the OT. Job 19:25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
26  And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
27  Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me. The body Job is speaking of is rotten from being in the grave.
I wonder if this means from the grave. Just before the resurrection occurs?

1 Corinthians 15:35  ¶But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?
1 Corinthians 15:49  And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
50  Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
51  ¶Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality
When Job speaks, he speaks of seeing God in a corruptible body. That strikes me that he sees God in the grave... just before the resurrection... after it he no longer has a corruptible body???
Alway bear in mind that the OT is only a partial revelation, whereas the NT gives much more clarity about the truth. (A fuller revelation)

 

[Wantingtoknow6783]

Yes they were saved, by a future act of Christ, which relied on their faith. We still technically are not fully saved (redeemed), until the transformation of our bodies at the second coming of Christ.

Since we are not fully saved does that actually mean we can actually lose our salvation if we lose faith in God? Is that what Paul means by "For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith". Romans 1:17. Does this mean that if a believer continues to exercise his faith, God continues to save him? It sort of makes sense and I would have a hard time imagining that one could get saved and then go back to a lifestyle never calling on the Lord and living in sin.


Anyways as far as your post I see that Christ was definitely mentioned and seen in the Old Testament, but I am not fully convinced on what exactly happens to us when we die and what I mean by that is if unbelievers go to hell and righteous people do not. There must be different interpretations of what really happens though. After I posted last night I went to my bible dictionary and was looking up Abraham, Hell, Lake of Fire, Hades, Gehenna and basically from what I understand in the bible dictionary it says Sheol(Old Testament) is a place where all believers and unbelievers go when they die which is basically a holding place untill God's final judgement which sort of makes sense because in Ecclesiastes 9:10 is says, "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom." Does that mean that the righteous and unrighteous dont even know where they are or why they are there? From what I get from this is while we live on this earth we need to do things while we have the chance because once we die then there is no longer any work we can do. The bible dictionary basically said the Old Testament referred to Hell as Sheol where both believers and unbelievers go, the abode of both the righteous dead and ungodly dead. The New Testament explains it as a place where a place that the evil dead are held as a place of torment untill the final judgement where then death and hell are cast into the lake of fire. So which one is correct? Do all the unrighteous dead and ungodly dead live together in this place of sheol and nobody is in hell untill the final judgement or is there actually the ungodly dead in hell as we speak? Where does that mean the unrighteous dead go? Jesus told the thief that today he would be with him in paradise, so what exactly is paradise? If this is true, does that mean that since there is no knowledge or wisdom in the grave does that mean that the ungodly dead burn and do not know why they are burning? Thanks again, Justvisiting for your posts and if you could or anybody else could answer this second question of mine it just may help me understand better where we actually go when we die and why does the old testament refer to unrighteous and righteous people dieng and living in the same abode if the new testament speaks of seperate places. Thanks again, but like my name says I am just wanting to know.

 

[justvisiting]

You are really asking some heady questions. I don't profess to know everything that is for sure. I don't think that any of the dead are burning yet. That is what the judgement is for. As for the saints. There is a lot of interesting scripture on that. I really should do a more serious study on it myself. It does mention Abraham's bosom in the new testament. The body however remains in the grave. Paul mentions them as being asleep. 1 Thessalonians 4:14  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15  For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Ecclesiastes 3:21  Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?
Ecclesiastes 8:8  There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death
1 Corinthians 5:5  To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. (this was a Christian that was living with his father's wife...) it implies the spirit is saved at judgement day.
1 Thessalonians 5:23  ¶And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 1:11  Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. These are the special ones like the prophets.
James 2:26  For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
These are some scriptures to peruse about the state at death. I have enough to download a file but it didn't work when I tried it. There is something wrong with this editor. When you get to the bottom it keeps jumping around.

 

[justvisiting]

The real question is what happens at death? No one is judged until the second coming of Christ.
The body definitely stays in the grave. The question is what happens to the spirit of man.
Ecclesiastes 12:7  Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. Problem is I don't consider Ecclesiastes a particularly good book to get doctrine out of.
Luke 23:43  And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
2 Corinthians 12:4  How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
Revelation 2:7  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
I don't like to jump to conclusions about a doctrine unless I can find enough scripture to support it. These are the only 3 I can find on "paradise". It does seem to be where God is... it's where Paul heard him.
Acts 24:15  And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
John 5:28  Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
29  And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
Acts 7:59  And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
60  And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Luke 23:46  And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.
Colossians 3:4  When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
1 John 3:2  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
Philippians 3:20  For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
21  Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

 

[joechrist]

NO. The people of the Old Testament were not saved. Because of Adam, everyone who followed was a sinner. The Bible makes it clear that the wages of sin is death. Therefore, noone was saved until the price was payed for us by Jesus. Everyone who preceded Jesus did not receive the gift of salvation and therefore will not inherent eternal life.

 

[westtexas]

NO. The people of the Old Testament were not saved. Because of Adam, everyone who followed was a sinner. The Bible makes it clear that the wages of sin is death. Therefore, noone was saved until the price was payed for us by Jesus. Everyone who preceded Jesus did not receive the gift of salvation and therefore will not inherent eternal life.

Joe, I feel the people of the OT were saved, let me tell you why I believe this and then I'd like to hear your thoughts.

Hebrews 11 talks about all of the OT people who had faith. 11:4--By faith Abel 11:5--By faith Enoch 11:7--By faith Noah 11:8--By faith Abraham and on and on through chapter 11.

Ephesians 2:8 says For by grace are ye saved through FAITH; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God (KJV)

Back to Hebrews chapter 11 we are talking again about the OT people of faith and scripture says in verse 16 "But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. (KJV)

Scripture says Abraham's belief was credited to him as righteousness. I believe that because of their faith the city God has prepared for them in verse 16 is the same New Jerusalem that He has prepared for us because of our faith.
Westtexas

 

[Wantingtoknow6783]

Thanks Justvisiting. It really is a little hard to understand exactly what the process is i suppose, heh. Oh well. I just remember an old pastor from a church I no longer go to saying how some people who were unsaved didnt make it out to church and they died before they accepted Christ so they are in hell right now(which I think is a bold statement to make). I, like yourself tend to start to think maybe both the ungodly dead and righteous dead do abode together with no pain and torment at least untill the judgement of the great white throne where believers then will escape the 2nd death, but the ungodly do not and then will be cast into the lake of fire and the reason I say this is because if the believing and unbelieving were seperated into two places, one with comfort and the other with pain and suffering, wouldnt that be judgement? If so, than what is the judgement on the great white throne if people are allready suffering and paying the price for their sin. I think the pastor understood that hell is the holding place with torment for unbelievers and heaven is where believers instantly go when they die and at the judgement of the great white throne is when hell and death and all unbelievers and satan and his angels are all cast into the lake of fire for eternity. Well maybe somethings we may never fully understand or maybe some day we will, but I sure appreciate the scripture and your knowledge on the subject.

 

[Wantingtoknow6783]

NO. The people of the Old Testament were not saved. Because of Adam, everyone who followed was a sinner. The Bible makes it clear that the wages of sin is death. Therefore, noone was saved until the price was payed for us by Jesus. Everyone who preceded Jesus did not receive the gift of salvation and therefore will not inherent eternal life.

I tend to agree with westtexas on this. Abraham was credited with righteousness through faith. You cannot be called righteous if you are remaining with sin. And how could Enoch and Elijah be taken by God if they had sin? I think God credited those with faith with righteousness and like justvisiting said, Jesus was mentioned alot in the Old Testament, so they had knowledge of the savior.

 

[westtexas]

You are really asking some heady questions. I don't profess to know everything that is for sure. I don't think that any of the dead are burning yet. That is what the judgement is for. As for the saints. There is a lot of interesting scripture on that. I really should do a more serious study on it myself. It does mention Abraham's bosom in the new testament.

Justvisiting, Luke 16:19-31tells about the rich man and Lazarus. Lazarus is being comforted in Abraham's bosom and the rich man is suffering in Hades. Do you feel he is not burning?
Westtexas

 

[Wantingtoknow6783]

Justvisiting, Luke 16:19-31tells about the rich man and Lazarus. Lazarus is being comforted in Abraham's bosom and the rich man is suffering in Hades. Do you feel he is not burning?
Westtexas

Maybe the story of the rich man is a story of what will happen after the judgement of the great white throne? How can people be suffering and burning for wickedness if they have not been judged yet which is the judgement of the great white throne? Do you give somebody the death penalty who has not been convicted of murder yet? How can they be paying for their sins If they havent been judged? The only way one pays for their sins is if they are judged by God. I thought the judgement of the great white throne is like a man standing before the court to presume if he is found guilty or not but if they are allready suffering, that would indicate they have been found guilty of sin and how can they be judged again at the judgement of the great white throne?

 

[joechrist]

As I stated the only way to be saved is by the sacrifice of Jesus. Before Jesus everyone was a sinner. I think we would all agree that the only sinless person in history was Jesus. Therefore, Abraham, Elijah, etc were sinners and fell short of the glory of God. Jesus paid the price for us in order for us to enter the kingdom of heaven. If faith or righteousness was enough to be saved, why do we need Jesus? Faith and righteousness are not enough.

 

[justvisiting]

I myself just believe this is a parable. The story would have to take place about 1500 years before Christ. Moses and the prophets are mentioned as alive. Lazarus a beggar. A rich man. The real moral of the story is that "if the spoken truth is not alive to your heart", then a visible miracle won't make much difference. It mentions a great gulf between them. Good and evil don't dwell at the same places of residence. Going to scripture from elsewhere.
Acts 24:14  But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
15  And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
If you look at the rest of scripture. A resurrection has to occur, a judgement,sheep are separated from goats.etc. after that... I can definitely see a rich man crying because he was in hell. This is really the only scripture that I have seen that mentions something like Abraham's bosom. I think solid doctrine needs several references. Paul mentions many times about how the process will occur.
Like I said, until I see different from the rest of scripture, this is really just a parable example of if your ears aren't open... then your eyes won't be either.

 

[Wantingtoknow6783]

As I stated the only way to be saved is by the sacrifice of Jesus. Before Jesus everyone was a sinner. I think we would all agree that the only sinless person in history was Jesus. Therefore, Abraham, Elijah, etc were sinners and fell short of the glory of God. Jesus paid the price for us in order for us to enter the kingdom of heaven. If faith or righteousness was enough to be saved, why do we need Jesus? Faith and righteousness are not enough.

If you believe this way then how would you explain the transfiguration? How can Moses and Elijah both appear with Christ glorified when Christ did not yet die and pay for our sins since the sacrifice was not complete? But I definitely am in agreement with you that we have to have Jesus for salvation. I just happen to think that maybe the people of Old were able to know who he was.

 

[turnorburn]

Yes they were saved, by a future act of Christ, which relied on their faith. We still technically are not fully saved (redeemed), until the transformation of our bodies at the second coming of Christ.
Sorry if this is too long. Read I Cor. 15 and Heb. 11 1 Thess. 4:13-17 When Christ died and rose again. He paid for all the sins of the past, present, and future. That includes us. They knew about the Messiah that was to come. Isaiah 53 mentions him. In fact, he visited with Abraham in the heat of the day, with Job in the whirlwind etc. It also mentions Melchizedek in Hebrews (like unto the son of God)
1 Peter 4:5  Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick(living) and the dead.
6  For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them THAT ARE DEAD, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
It appears after Christ rose that He preached to the saints. I admit that is not much to go on for a doctrine.I can't see it meaning the atonement of Christ (the gospel) was taught to the Hebrews...because they believed in a delivering Messiah? Maybe it was though? Isa. 53?? They definitely knew about the Messiah though, and they were taught that the life is in the blood (animal sacrifice)... If they knew fully about the redeeming work of Christ through the cross, I don't think they would have practiced animal sacrifice. They looked for a city, whose builder and maker is God. Hebrews 9:11  But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;12  Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
Hebrews 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
14  For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
15  And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
16  But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
Hebrews 11:39  And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:40  God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
The price has been paid for them and us, when Christ offered himself ONCE and for ALL.
1 Corinthians 15:20  ¶But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
21  For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
22  For as in Adam ALL die, even so IN Christ shall ALL be made alive.
23  But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

Can you explain what you mean when you say we aren't truly saved until the transformation of our bodies?

We still technically are not fully saved (redeemed), until the transformation of our bodies at the second coming of Christ.

 

[Wantingtoknow6783]

Can you explain what you mean when you say we aren't truly saved until the transformation of our bodies?

I think what he means is like the way I interpret Pauls scripture in Romans 1:17 where it says For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith". This basically means faith is at the beginning of the salvation process, and it is the goal as well. When a person first exercises faith in Christ, that person is saved from the penalty of sin and declared righteous. As the believer livs by faith, God continues to save him or her from the power of sin to live righteously. So I would assume if you get saved that you are not always saved. You must live by faith every single day until the transformation of our bodies or our death or the return of Christ. Correct me if I am wrong Justvisiting, I dont want to answer a question wrongly for you, but it is how i view it and how I understand you view it also?

 

[Wantingtoknow6783]

Hello everyone. I just wanted to post this good read I found online which actually tends to clear alot of misunderstandings up on what exactly happens after death. Its a question of did Jesus go to hell between His death and resurrection but within that question the writer explains alot of other stuff that we have been discussing on here. Here it is.



Question: "Did Jesus go to hell between His death and resurrection?"

Answer: There is a great deal of confusion in regards to this question. This concept comes primarily from the Apostles' Creed, which states, “He descended into hell.†There are also a few Scriptures which, depending on how they are translated, describe Jesus going to “hell.†In studying this issue, it is important to first understand what the Bible teaches about the realm of the dead.

In the Hebrew Scriptures, the word used to describe the realm of the dead is sheol. It simply means the “place of the dead†or the “place of departed souls/spirits.†The New Testament Greek word that is used for hell is “hades,†which also refers to “the place of the dead.†Other Scriptures in the New Testament indicate that sheol/hades is a temporary place, where souls are kept as they await the final resurrection and judgment. Revelation 20:11-15 gives a clear distinction between the two. Hell (the lake of fire) is the permanent and final place of judgment for the lost. Hades is a temporary place. So, no, Jesus did not go to hell because hell is a future realm, only put into effect after the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15).

Sheol/hades is a realm with two divisions (Matthew 11:23, 16:18; Luke 10:15, 16:23; Acts 2:27-31), the abodes of the saved and the lost. The abode of the saved was called “paradise†and “Abraham's bosom.†The abodes of the saved and the lost are separated by a “great chasm†(Luke 16:26). When Jesus ascended to heaven, He took the occupants of paradise (believers) with Him (Ephesians 4:8-10). The lost side of sheol/hades has remained unchanged. All unbelieving dead go there awaiting their final judgment in the future. Did Jesus go to sheol/hades? Yes, according to Ephesians 4:8-10 and 1 Peter 3:18-20.

Some of the confusion has arisen from such passages as Psalm 16:10-11 as translated in the King James Version, “For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption....Thou wilt show me the path of life.†“Hell†is not a correct translation of this verse. A correct reading would be “the grave†or “sheol.†Jesus said to the thief beside Him, “Today you will be with me in paradise†(Luke 23:43). Jesus’ body was in the tomb; His soul/spirit went to the “paradise†side of sheol/hades. He then removed all the righteous dead from paradise and took them with Him to heaven. Unfortunately, in many translations of the Bible, translators are not consistent, or correct, in how they translate the Hebrew and Greek words for “sheol,†“hades,†and “hell.â€Â

Some have the viewpoint that Jesus went to “hell†or the suffering side of sheol/hades in order to further be punished for our sins. This idea is completely unbiblical. It was the death of Jesus on the cross and His suffering in our place that sufficiently provided for our redemption. It was His shed blood that effected our own cleansing from sin (1 John 1:7-9). As He hung there on the cross, He took the sin burden of the whole human race upon Himself. He became sin for us: “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God†(2 Corinthians 5:21). This imputation of sin helps us understand Christ's struggle in the garden of Gethsemane with the cup of sin which would be poured out upon Him on the cross.

When Jesus cried upon the cross, “Oh, Father, why have you forsaken me?†(Matthew 27:46), it was then that He was separated from the Father because of the sin poured out upon Him. As He gave up His spirit, He said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit†(Luke 23:46). His suffering in our place was completed. His soul/spirit went to the paradise side of hades. Jesus did not go to hell. Jesus’ suffering ended the moment He died. The payment for sin was paid. He then awaited the resurrection of His body and His return to glory in His ascension. Did Jesus go to hell? No. Did Jesus go to sheol/hades? Yes.

 

[Adullam]

NO. The people of the Old Testament were not saved. Because of Adam, everyone who followed was a sinner. The Bible makes it clear that the wages of sin is death. Therefore, noone was saved until the price was payed for us by Jesus. Everyone who preceded Jesus did not receive the gift of salvation and therefore will not inherent eternal life.

If OT saints were unacceptable to God, then what was happening on the mount during the transfiguration...and this before the sacrifice of Jesus Christ?

 

[Adullam]

No one is saved in the completed sense until the end. A person does not receive a victor's crown BEFORE the race is over.

Sakvation is a process. We are being saved through faith and faithfulness. If one holds back, or continues in lawlessness then that one is disqualified.

The Christian life is not the easy done deal affair that is being sold to the multitudes. No, it is the hardest thing that anyone can ever undertake. If one runs lawfully, the flesh life does not survive the race. If people knew this, almost no one would run. But to not run, is to lose already.