How does Abraham define Hades or hell?
Abraham defines Hades, or hell, as a place with a great gulf fixed. One side is torment, while the other side is paradise. Before the cross, Old Testament believers went down to paradise, but the lost from all ages go into the torment side.
Les explains that Abraham defines Hades, or hell, as a place with a great gulf fixed. On one side is torment, and on the other side is paradise. Before the cross, all believers from Adam onward could not go to heaven; they had to go down to paradise because the atoning blood of Christ is the only thing that removes the stain of sin, and animal blood could not take it away. They were saved for eternity but not ready for God's presence. The only exceptions were Enoch and Elijah, who did not die and go down into paradise but went up. The lost from all ages, including today, still go down into hell, into the torment side. Les notes the thief was told he would be with Christ in paradise, and Christ spoke of being in the centermost part of the earth, with Paul putting his stamp of approval on this teaching.