| ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ( H ) OLD TESTAMENT SAINTS Another set of scriptural evidences which help to reveal that paradise and Abraham�s bosom could never have been a section or compartment of hell are the descriptions of the saints of God. The scriptures write these conclusive words in regard to the saints of God; 2. And he said, The Lord came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them. 3. Yea, he loved the people; all his saints are in thy hand: and they sat down at thy feet; every one shall receive of thy words. - Deuteronomy 33:1-3 The saints belong to the Lord. They are a holy people who reside in the hand of the Holy God. Another particular characteristic of the saint is that they receive, not reject, the words of the Lord. Thus, the saint in no manner is characteristic of a disobedient person who would enter into any portion of hell but rather would ascend into the life and paradise of God. Again the scriptures write; 41. Now therefore arise, O Lord God, into thy resting place, thou, and the ark of thy strength: let thy priests, O Lord God, be clothed with salvation, and let thy saints rejoice in goodness. - 2 Chronicles 6:41 The saints are able to rejoice in goodness. There is no rejoicing whatsoever in any part of hell. The priests of God are even clothed with salvation. Such characteristics are not evidence of a disobedient people bound for the regions of hell and ultimately eternal damnation. But rather they are a saintly people bound for joy and salvation and goodness in God in heaven and paradise. Again the scriptures write; 23. O love the Lord, all ye his saints: for the Lord preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. 24. Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord. - Psalms 31:23-24 In these passages the saint is encouraged to love the Lord because the Lord preserves the faithful and strengthens their heart. Since hell is the place of fiery torments where the soul and body are both destroyed by God then no part of hell would be the rightful residing place for the faithful saint who is preserved by the Lord. Moreover, the Psalmist writes of hope in the Lord as encouragement for the saint. This word of hope directed towards the saints of God also prove that the Old Testament saints have never entered any part of hell because in hell there is no more hope for Gods� truth; 7. When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth. - Prov. 11:7 17. Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back. 18. For the grave cannot praise thee, death can not celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth. - Isa. 38:17-18 The saints of God are not unjust. They are just and therefore will never have their hope in God and His truth taken away. Other OT scriptural examples of the saints of God which further prove that such people could never enter hell are these; 28. For the Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. - Psalms 37:28 9. I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints. - Psalms 52:9 7. God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him. - Psalms 89:7 10. Ye that love the Lord, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked. 11. Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. 12. Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. - Psalms 97:10-12 Again, the Lord preserves the souls of His saints. Whereas Jesus revealed that in hell the body and soul is destroyed by God ( Matt. 10:28 ). Notice also that a command is given to the righteous, the saints of God, to give thanks at the rememberance of His holiness. But for those in death the scriptures clearly teach that there is no rememberance of the Lord and no one can give Him thanks in the grave; ( Psalms 6:5 ). Psalms is not referring to saints in some portion of hell called paradise. Saints of God in any portion of hell could not have their souls preserved and could not follow the command to rejoice in the Lord and give thanks at the rememberance of His holiness. The scriptures offer these other descriptions concerning the saints of God which further prove that no saint of God has entered any portion of hell called paradise; 15. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. - Psalms 116:15 18. But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever. - Daniel 7:18 12. Ephraim compasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the saints. - Hosea 11:12 7. To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. - Romans 1:7 27. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 31. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? - Romans 8:27-31 The apostle Paul writes a wonderful and blessed outcome for those persons called to be Gods� saints. The Spirit of God intercedes for the saints. The saints are called by God to fulfill their lives according to His plans and purposes. The saints are known of God and destined to be molded and formed into the image of Gods� Son and thus being made the brethren of Gods� Son. The saints are part of Gods� family. Also because the saints are called by God then they are justified in Gods� judgement and also glorified by God. Therefore, based on this marvelous love which God has for His saints, His children, then in no manner would such a justified and glorified people be destined for any portion of the hellish realm upon their death. God the Father knew beforehand and destined beforehand whom He would call, justify and glorify. This foreknowledge and predestination included OT saints as well as NT saints. Therefore, in no manner could the saints of old have entered into any portion, compartment or chamber of hell when they died. OT saints are just as called, justified and glorified and preserved by God as are NT saints. In light of these things then it is easy to recognize that hell has never contained within itself any compartment called Abraham�s bosom or paradise. None of the Old Testament saints had ever descended into any portion of hell called Abraham�s bosom or paradise. Jesus, upon His death on the cross, descended into hell, that spiritual prison and region of the damned for 3 days and 3 nights and then resurrected from the grave. However, Jesus never descended into a place in hell called paradise. Jesus never descended into a place in hell called Abrahams� bosom. Abraham�s bosom, paradise and hell are all different issues and have nothing in common. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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