What did Jesus do in paradise before He ascended to glory?
Before ascending to glory, Jesus descended into paradise—the lower parts of the earth—and took the believing Old Testament saints who were captive, having waited for His atoning blood. His ascension moved paradise from Sheol to glory, where believers now go at death.
Les explains that Old Testament saints were held in Hades, hell, or Sheol on the paradise side, waiting for the atoning blood that had now been shed. He points to Ephesians 4, where Paul puts the capstone on it: before ascending to glory, Christ descended first into the lower parts of the earth—into paradise—and took those who were captive. The same One who descended is the same who ascended far above all heavens to fulfill all things. Les then uses II Corinthians 5 to confirm that when Paul went up to paradise, paradise was no longer down below but now in glory. It has been the lot of the present-day believer at death ever since Christ ascended.
Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?