What were Old Testament saints waiting for in Sheol?

The believing Old Testament saints were held in Hades, hell, or Sheol on the paradise side, waiting for the atoning blood that had now been shed. Once that blood was shed, Christ descended into paradise, took those who were captive, and ascended to glory.

Les explains that the believing Old Testament saints were held in Hades, or hell, or Sheol on the paradise side. They were waiting for the atoning blood, which had now been shed. When Christ left paradise, Paul puts the capstone on it in Ephesians 4: before He ascended to glory, He descended first into the lower parts of the earth, into paradise, and took those who were captive. He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that He might fill or fulfill all things. This confirms that paradise is no longer down as it was, but now it is in glory. That is the lot of the present-day believer when they die, ever since Christ ascended.

Where were Old Testament saints kept before the cross and what were they waiting for?

Before the cross, Old Testament saints were held in Hades, hell, or Sheol on the paradise side. They were waiting for the atoning blood, which had now been shed. When Christ descended into paradise before ascending to glory, He took those captives with Him, confirming paradise had moved from below into glory.