There is a story that Jesus tells about a rich man and a beggar called Lazarus.
Lazarus dies and is taken up by angels to be with Abraham, but the rich man dies and goes to Hades...
The questions for me are: where is Abraham, where is Hades, and how is the rich man able to SEE Lazarus and talk to Abraham?
Aren't the dead supposed to be sleeping? What else are the dead capable of seeing and hearing?
Hi Tellyontellyon,
Great questions!
During the three days Jesus’ body was in the grave, He descended to the “Paradise” side of Hell/Hades, also known as Abraham’s Bosom, to proclaim His victory over sin and death. Before His death on the cross, nobody was allowed directly into heaven because their sins had not yet been atoned. Therefore, all those who died in faith prior to the cross, trusting the coming Messiah (Jesus Christ) to cleanse them, went to the Paradise side of Hell/Hades to await His birth and death in comfort and peace. This is where Abraham was (at that point). Those who died not trusting God for the coming Messiah went to the suffering side of Hell/Hades to await God’s final judgment for their sins.
After Jesus took believers out of Paradise and into heaven, the “Paradise/comfort” compartment of Hell/Hades has remained empty to this day. However, the suffering compartment of Hell/Hades is holding all unbelievers for judgment while continuing their punishment for sin. Once judged, they will be cast into the Lake of Fire, which is the second and final death.
So, to answer your specific questions:
1. Abraham is in heaven with God now, but was in Paradise from his death until Jesus' sacrifice on the cross.
2. The exact location of Hades is unknown since the Bible does not give us that specific information. But wherever it is, you definitely do not want to end up there.
3. The Bible says in Luke 16:19-31 that when the rich man entered Hades, there was a great chasm which separated the comfort side from the suffering side (verse 26: "And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.")
4. The soul of every human being is eternal, therefore, each person lives on after dying physically on the earth. The location where each one spends eternity — heaven or hell (followed by the Lake of Fire) — depends solely upon whether or not they placed their faith in Jesus for their salvation while on the earth. Death seals their decision and fate, so there are no second chances afterward.
All those who chose to trust Jesus as their Savior will immediately enter heaven upon their death, while their physical bodies return to the “dust of the earth.” At the rapture, their bodies will be resurrected as spiritual, imperishable, and glorified ones that bear the likeness of Jesus. They will never again be subject to sin, sickness, pain, or death. Simultaneously, their souls will be reunited with their newly transformed bodies, and they will remain in their glorified state with God forever.
All those who chose to reject Jesus and His gift of salvation will instantly enter hell upon their death, while their physical bodies return to the “dust of the earth” to await the resurrection. At the end of all things, their bodies will be raised and reunited with their souls. Immediately afterward, they will be judged by God for their sins at the great white throne judgment. Subsequently, they will be cast into the Lake of Fire, where they will serve out their eternal sentence in conscious torment and suffering — having rejected the only means for their redemption.
5. The dead who are in hell are in a place of suffering, torment, anguish, outer darkness, and unquenchable fire. What they physically see is unclear, being in darkness with unquenchable fire. The dead who are in heaven see the full glory of God and are in a place of complete and total perfection. Heaven is free from all sin, sickness, pain, disease, and death and is filled with God's glory and majesty.
Hope that helps bring some clarity to your questions.