Charles Larkin’s Illustration – The Heavens (Download below)
Christ’s Work & Actions Between Bodily Death and Resurrection, Ascent – 1 Pet 3:18-22
Christ’s Work on the Cross was not the end of His Work. What was seen on this side of the Creation: 50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. 51 And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split. 52 The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 53 and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection they entered the holy city and appeared to many. Matthew 27:50-53
On the other side of Creation unseen, while between His Body’s death and His Ascent to the Throne, Jesus in Spirit preached the Word to the most disobedient spirits in the underworld prison called Tartarus (2 Peter 2:4). These are not the fallen angels of Satan but the ‘sons of God’ in pre-flood Genesis 6 who fathered the Nephilim giants. They will be taken straight to the White Throne Judgement. (Jude 6-7, Rev 20:11-15)
The Gospel is vital and relevant to all, both the Quick (for Salvation) and the Dead (for Judgement). Jesus also preached to the disembodied souls of Hades (not the final place of eternal torment, the Lake of Fire) emptying the Paradise side (Abraham’s Bosom/Lazarus) to bring them to the Heaven that still awaits us who sleep in the grave before the Rapture. Post-Cross, the souls of the Saints proceed to the same place immediately to the Lord (2 Cor 5:8)
7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore it says,
“WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH, HE LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES, AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN.” 9 (Now this expression, “He ascended,” what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.) Ephesians 4:7-10
Jesus’ total domination and Authority given by Father would be settled. As He already demonstrated His being the perfect Prophet, and is now exercising the office of High Priest, we await His return as King of all Kings ushering in the end of the kingdoms of Man.
17 When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, 18 and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades. Rev 1:17-18
