Two weeks ago we discussed the two chambers of hell in the Old Testament — one of torment where the rich man was and paradise / Abraham’s bosom where Lazarus was comforted (Luke 16:19-31). Jesus went to paradise for 3 days and 3 nights when he died on the cross. Luke 23:42-43; 1 Peter 3:18-20; Jude 1:6
Today, we looked at 1 Samuel 28:7-15 and the incident of the witch of Endor. King Saul had the witch conjure up Samuel from the heart of the earth. She brought him up! After the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, the Old Testament saints were redeemed out of paradise and taken to heaven by the Lord. Ephesians 4:8-10
Today, in the Dispensation of Grace, paradise is in the 3rd heaven, where the throne of God is. 2 Corinthians 12:1-4
We got into the 2nd half of V.3 this morning concerning our relationship with our heavenly Father. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit prevents us from saying Jesus is accursed / anathema, as well as opens up our communication to call him Lord!
Acts 16:30-31: And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
Romans 10:9-10, 13: That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
1 Timothy 6:14-15: That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
The 5th seal in Revelation 6:9-11 reveals that paradise will once again open its doors, known as “under the altar” in the Tribulation. Hell will have two chambers – one of comfort, waiting to be called up to the marriage supper of the Lamb. They are given their wedding garments in anticipation of the call.
Revelation 6:9-11: And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
Revelation 19:7-9: Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.
The 3 “come up hithers” or calls to heaven of the first resurrection:
- Proverbs 25:7 — the Old Testament saints with Christ = the first fruits harvest. 1 Cor. 15:20-23; Eph. 4:4-10
2. Revelation 4:1 — the New Testament saints main harvest. 1 Cor. 15:51-54; 1 Thess. 4:13-18
The apostle John represents all the Church age saints when he hears the voice “as a trumpet” to come up hither. Paul calls it the last trump — the trumpet shall sound in 1 Cor. 15:52 and 1 Thess.4:16.
3. Revelation 11:11-12 — the two witnesses represent the tribulation saints under the altar — everyone who is killed for the testimony of Christ, called to the marriage supper of the Lamb we read above.
Revelation 20:6: Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
The Word of God is so amazing when we study to show ourselves approved unto God. 2 Timothy 2:15