Question from a friend of WordTruth Ministries:
>> After Jesus was crucified, did He descend into Hell and take away from
Satan the keys of death and Hell?
WordTruth.Com Response:
Thank you for your question. It is an important one and one which
has, unfortunately, been given to wild and speculative answers by many
pastors and teachers. Let me see if I can provide some clear answers
from the word of God.
First of all, it is important to note that Jesus is God the Son, the
second person of the triune God (John 1:1; Mark 1:9-11). There is but one
God and He exists eternally as three distinct persons: Father, Son, and
Holy Spirit. It stretches our minds beyond comprehension but each
person of the triune (three in one) God possesses the one divine essence
of God. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are co-equal, ever-present
and everywhere present. Given this brief explanation of the triune
nature of God, understand that God the Son is eternal (John 1:1, Revelation
1:8). Our LORD Jesus Christ never stopped being God the Son in His
incarnation (God taking on a human nature, ref. John 1:14). When Jesus
died on the cross physically, He was still God -- eternal and unchanging.
Second, understand what Jesus accomplished on the cross. Just
before He died, He cried out "It
is finished!" (John 19:30, NKJV). The victory
over sin was won. The victory was complete on the cross (Colossians 2:13-15).
So Jesus had no business left to conduct in Hell, certainly not with Satan.
Keep in mind:
-
Satan is an angelic being created by our LORD Jesus Christ. He was
created without sin but pride entered his heart and he became a fallen
angel (see explanation of Lucifer and Satan).
-
Satan owns nothing (although he is perfectly content with you believing
that he does).
-
Satan fears Hell more than most people do. His final judgment is
to be cast into Hell forever where he will experience torment (Revelation
20:10).
Jesus rose from the grave on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:3-4), hallelujah!
Thus it is Jesus, not Satan, who holds the keys of death and Hades (Revelation
1:18).
Those who speak of Jesus going to Hell and conducting some transaction
with the devil have an insufficient view of the divine nature of Jesus
Christ and of His finished work on the cross. This false doctrine
also stems from an exaggeration of the dominion of Satan. I have
heard so-called "word of faith" preachers and teachers spin an amazing
story of Jesus going to Hell during those three days to be tormented and
beat up by the devil and his demons. Only by speaking the words of
faith could Jesus break the hold of Satan and be freed from Hell.
Such a story makes for great entertainment but it has no scriptural basis
at all.
Two Bible references worth studying include:
-
Ephesians 4:9-10 (speaks of His incarnation as a perfect human being not
of a descent into Hell).
-
1 Peter 3:18-20 (see a discussion of this passage in the message Victory
in Suffering).
May the LORD Jesus Christ bless you with His wisdom and the courage to
follow Him!
Randy Lariscy :-)
Director - WordTruth Ministries
Our Creator God loves you and wants you to know Him! If you would
like to contact this ministry for further information or questions, please
send your e-mail to:
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Web Site: WordTruth.Com
Copyright 5/14/2000, Randy Lariscy.
