In the last post, Heaven One, information was given which may be of interest to those who hold to a skeptical or atheistic philosophy and also to those who hold to a theistic belief but have not really heard much about heaven and hell (Hades) because this is a topic that is not often taught in detail, unfortunately, in churches, by the clergy.

In the past post it was explained that Jesus came down from heaven (and not just from Bethlehem) to provide salvation to the human race because of the unwise and destructive decision and actions of Lucifer, a one time angel in heaven.

Since Lucifer’s rebellion all the people he misleads, spiritually, become inhabitants in Hades when they die. (The grave is not hell as some teach.)

Hades, according to scripture, had two compartments which held the souls of those who had died. Jesus made this plain in his teaching about Lazarus and the rich man. The rich man died and went to Hades (Hell) and Lazarus, a poor beggar, died and also went to Hades, but to the section at that time called Paradise or also called Abraham’s bosom. The scriptures tell of the rich man requesting water to cool his tongue, obviously because of the condition on his side of Hades (Luke 16:24; Mark 9:42).

When Jesus was on the cross one of the men, also crucified at the same time, for his breaking a Roman law, asked Jesus to remember him when he went to his Kingdom. Jesus replied that he would be with him the same day in Paradise (Luke 23:43).

The scriptures say that Jesus took “captivity captive” (Ephesians 4:8). This undoubtedly means, when he ascended on high following his resurrection, he took the saints who had been held in the Paradise section of Hades, to heaven. Since then all who accept Jesus as their Savior go to heaven when they die. The Apostle Paul made this clear when he said if he were to die he would go to heaven (2 Corinthians 6-8; Philippians 1:23).

During the time between Jesus’ death and resurrection several unusual events took place. The veil in the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. There was darkness for several hours during one day and there was an earthquake (Mathew 27:51).

Also, an event seldom mentioned is that many of the Old Testament saints who had died were resurrected and walked among those who were in Jerusalem (Mathew 27:52-53). They would later have gone to heaven when Jesus ascended to heaven.

All the above happened because Jesus was not just a man, as some would argue (John 1:1-3). He died and rose from the dead to negate what Lucifer (Satan) had done. Lucifer’s aim was, and still is, to cause as many humans as possible to end up in Hell (Hades) by causing them to refuse the salvation Jesus has to offer.

In talking about heaven one needs to note an event that could happen at any time. This event is called the rapture of the saints. The word ‘rapture’ can not be found in the bible. So comments have been made by some that since the word rapture is not in the bible there will not be a rapture. However, the word is simply used to describe what is written in 1 Thessalians 4:16-17. The resurrected bodies of believers will be combined with their souls which have been in heaven, since their death. When this happens, they will have been lead by Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 4:14 says, “….God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.”

The scriptures do not indicate when the rapture will occur. It could be very soon or in the distant future, nevertheless, it would be wise to be prepared for when it does happen.

The rapture is not the climax in the events regarding heaven. The scriptures speak of many other events to follow, such as the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, the Great Tribulation, etc. This will be information for the next post.

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