2007-04-06 14:01:09 · 24 answers · asked by Angel Man 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
They had to live a righteous life and abide by the Books of the Law. When Jesus fulfilled the law, it was over.
The Old Testament Saints went to Paradise. It was not Heaven.
When Jesus tells of Lazarus (the beggar) and the Rich man, Lazarus went to Abraham's Bosom (also known as Paradise). Here, he waited for the day of redemption.
When Jesus was crucified, he told the bandit on the tree that "today, you will be with me in Paradise".
After Jesus was resurrected, He went to Heaven to sprinkle His blood on the Mercy Seat. Afterwards, He went back to Paradise and took those there with Him to Heaven.
Today, Paradise is empty. But, where the Rich Man went (Sheol - Hades) is filling up more and more.
Bill Weise wrote a book called "23 Minutes in Hell" where he described what he saw and felt when he was sent there. His testimony can be seen and heard on www.SpiritLessons.com
2007-04-06 14:04:11 · answer #1 · answered by Christmas Light Guy 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well, God is outside of time, so Christ's sacrifice paid for the sins of all who predated him as well, but of course that would be meaningless if they didn't have the chance to believe in Him. And what about all the pagans that lived throughout the earth for the centuries between Christ and the present day who never heard of Him?
So here's my theory. I think that you have to interpret Jesus' words more liberally. Jesus said that whoever believes in him will have eternal life. Maybe Jesus meant not just believing in the man Jesus, but also or alternatively in his teachings. Jesus taught selflessness. Love God, love each other, etc, etc. Basically put everyone else before yourself. Maybe believing in those concepts and trying to live your life like that is the same as believing in Jesus, and maybe all the Jews and pagans throughout history in every culture who sought God in that way "accepted" Christ because they accepted his teachings even though they didn't know about it.
Just my theory...
2007-04-06 14:22:23 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I beilieve before Jesus there was no heaven.
In the Apostle's Creed it states that when Jesus died, he descended into hell, and then into heaven.
That means that he was bringing all of the souls that didn't have the chance to go to heaven are now brought up by Jesus.
So really, I think all of the souls were in purgatory before Jesus, just kind of existing.
I hope this helps. Have a terrific day! And a happy Easter too!
2007-04-06 14:06:22 · answer #3 · answered by ARGH! (Usually a sunny person) 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Jesus came and broke the laws. All who obeyed the Laws, Jews and gentiles, could go to heaven. There r allot of laws to obey. Jesus made it easier to get into heaven;.
2007-04-06 14:16:24 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no difference between what was needed before Jesus and after Jesus. In order to get to heaven you need to possess the gift of faith. As the scripture states without faith it is impossible to please God.
Faith is first given to us by God and then we demonstrate that we have been given faith by our works.
Romans 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.
2007-04-06 14:32:45 · answer #5 · answered by Archangel 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am yet to read about Jews getting special favor to Heaven in the bible.
Everyone who obeys God's words could go to Heaven.being a Jew won't not give you a BUSINESS CLASS service on the judgment day.
Jesus came to save the lost,not particularly from any ethnicity.That's why His word has spread everywhere,he's given everyone the chance to go to Heaven.
2007-04-06 14:10:32 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Before Jesus, Heaven was only meant for the chosen people, the jewish peoople, they just had to follow the law and offer sacrifice for thier transgressions, when Jesus came, he bridged a gap for everyone to be able to go to heave..now everyone has to just accept him and they can enter into heaven...
2007-04-06 14:05:58 · answer #7 · answered by Curiously 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Heaven?
2007-04-06 14:03:53 · answer #8 · answered by T Time 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Before Jesus was crucified and buried Jews and all believers in God's saving grace went to Paradise, an area within the earth, to await their release from this corrupt world. They were saved by faith, but faith that looked to the future, whereas our faith looks to the past, to the cross.
2007-04-06 14:08:24 · answer #9 · answered by hisgloryisgreat 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No change, you need Faith.
Jews saved by faith and God counted it as righteousness. They were told to sacrifice a blood offer for the atonement of sins of Israel one a year
Gentile saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Messiah) who is the final Passover Lamb for the atonement of sins for all of mankind who accept Jesus
2007-04-06 14:10:54 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋