1 Peter Chapter 3 Pt. 7 What Happens When We Die?

In this post, we move into the last section of First Peter chapter 3. 

The apostle has spoken to us about suffering at the hands of civil authorities, or suffering as a consequence of our own sins or misconduct. 

1 Peter 3:17  For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. 

Peter summarizes the heart of God on this matter of Christian suffering. It is an honor and blessing if we suffer for His name's sake, or if we are persecuted for the sake of the gospel. 

In fact, the text tells us it is the will of God that if a Christian is to suffer at all, then our Father wants it to be for the cause of Christ and His gospel. 

Or, to put it another way, let no Christian suffer for breaking the law, man's or God's. This complements Peter's instruction about being good citizens, as we are about doing the work of the ministry. 

1 Peter 3:18  For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: 

Jesus Christ was not exempted from sufferings in this life, though He had no guilt of His own.   

The primary cause of Christ's suffering was for the transgressions of all sinners.  Jesus' sufferings represented the wages of our sins, which He assumed as our substitute.  As our substitute, to expiate our sins. 

The prefix "ex" means to remove or take away something. This word "expiate" means to take away or remove. 

This connects with Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29; 36). 

The prefix "pro" means to be for us instead of against us. The word "propitiation" refers to an atoning sacrifice that turns away the wrath of God for our sins.

The sufferings and death of Jesus and the blood He shed, is a sacrifice that the Father is eternally pleased with. 

The Father in heaven is propitiated by the substitutionary sacrifice of His Son, who died in our place (See Isaiah 53).  

Romans 8:31-32  What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32)  He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 

Here is the greatness of our salvation, that Jesus died for us, fulfilling all the Old Testament pictures.   

Therefore, since the Father is propitiated by the death of His sinless Son, He is now "for us" and no longer against us. 

To make an atonement for our sins, our Lord suffered and died for us. The expiation, propitiation and atonement of Jesus Christ is perfect, and complete. 

He is the Just and Righteous Son of God, who was made sin for us, so that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him (See 2 Corinthians 5:17-21).  

Jesus' shed blood and death is the means by what He brings us to the Father. 

His resurrection is our justification from sin. His ascension to the Father secures our hope that He will bring us home to heaven.  

He who knew no sin suffered instead of sinners like us, who knew no holiness or righteousness. 

1 Peter 3:18-20  For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: 19) By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; 20)  Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. 

There is some difference of opinion on what these texts mean, but we can gain a better understanding by comparing scripture with scripture.

First, notice how the text reads. Jesus was put to death in the flesh, but was quickened by the Spirit at His resurrection. 

Notice, that during the three days and nights in the grave, that Jesus, by the Spirit preached unto the spirits of those in prison. 

Jesus preached to the specific spirits of dead people, who were those who lived during the preaching of Noah, before the flood.

We do not know why Jesus specifically spoke to those people, nor do we know what He preached. Let us simply allow the text to speak for itself.

How can we grasp what the Bible is saying to us here? 

I think that we can see that this account is giving us a glimpse, of what Jesus did between His death and His resurrection.

The rich man and Lazarus lived polar opposite lives. 

Luke 16:19-21  There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20)  And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21)  And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 

Jesus opened the veil into what happens to our soul after our body dies. This is not a parable, because Jesus never used formal names in giving a parable. 

Rather, He speaks of a certain, specific wealthy man who enjoyed the best that life could offer, every day.

In contrast, Jesus speaks of a poor beggar named Lazarus, whose body was covered by sores that dogs licked. 

The picture is of the highest person of society, contrasted with the most down and out person imaginable. 

Both men died but they ended up in very different destinations. 

Luke 16:22-23  And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23)  And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 

Death came to both of these men, because the wages of sin is death, however, where the two men ended up is dramatically different.

The beggar Lazarus, found his soul in what is called Abraham's bosom. Notice, he was carried to that place by angels, and placed in the care of Abraham. 

Abraham's bosom refers to a place of comfort, where those who died in faith would stay, until Jesus opened the way to heaven by His death. 

Thus, they were not sleeping, they were living soul beings, awaiting the resurrection of life (See John 5:25-29). 

The fate of the wealthy man was not so happy. He was in "hell", tormented by flames. He too, was alive, and able to see Lazarus being comforted by Abraham.

The idea is that the underworld had two places that received the souls of all who died, before the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

One section was for those who believed God's Word and lived by faith. This is Abraham's bosom. 

The other section of the underworld is hell, where the flames never stop burning. This is where all who died in their sins, now reside.

Believe the gospel in this life, because there are no second chances.

Luke 16:24-29  And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25)  But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26)  And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 27)  Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: 28)  For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29)  Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.  

What is remarkable, is that Jesus tells us that in death, our soul is alive, our identity is intact and conversant with others. 

The rich man pleaded with Abraham to send Lazarus with a drop of water to cool his tongue, due to the flames of hell. 

Abraham reminded the rich man that he enjoyed all the trappings of luxury and good things in his life on earth, and now Lazarus was receiving good things for his faith. 

Abraham told the rich man that there was a great fixed gulf between hell and where Abraham was, so that no one can pass from one section to the other. 

When Jesus' body had died, He commended His spirit to the Father, and His soul arrived where Abraham was. 

Now, why were all those Old Testament saints kept in that place, instead of entering into heaven, when they died? 

Hebrews 10:4  For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. 

This is why. All those Old Testament saints, died in faith, but had to wait for the Lamb of God to come and take away the sins of  the world. 

Jesus descended to Abraham's bosom, before returning to His Father. 

Ephesians 4:8-10  Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 9)  (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10)  He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 

Paul wrote about Jesus' death and what He did prior to His resurrection.

Speaking of Jesus, Paul tells us that He ascended to the Father, after completing 40 days of post resurrection ministry. 

He led captivity captive. Jesus descended to the lower parts of the earth, which is a clear connection to Abraham's bosom, before He returned to His Father. 

This means that all the Old Testament saints who were captive in Abraham's bosom, were gathered together by Jesus Christ and taken to heaven.

Jesus presented all of them to the Father as the first fruit offering of the final resurrection that will happen (See 1 Corinthians 15:20-23). 

Old Testament saints came out of the grave at Jesus' resurrection. 

Matthew 27:50-53  Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. 51)  And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; 52)  And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, 53)  And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. 

Here is additional confirmation of what I am describing to you about Abraham's bosom. 

Matthew records the moment of Jesus' death and the earth quaking and rocks splitting apart, as the Father bore witness, that His Son, just laid down His life for us.

Notice, that the graves were opened, and the Old Testament saints, who formerly were in Abraham's bosom, resurrected with Christ. 

While Jesus appeared to His disciples, these saints went to Jerusalem and appeared to many people.  

1 Peter 3:21-22  The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: 22)  Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him. 

The flood of Noah was cited by Peter to remind us that baptism does not save anyone, but it is a public profession of faith in Jesus Christ. 

It is an outward testimony of an inward change, through the regenerating work of God's Spirit.

We learned that though our body will one day die, our inner man will live. Since this is true, it must be our highest priority in this life, to receive the gift of salvation from God, who wants us to be saved. 

If any person fails to seek salvation through repentant faith in Jesus Christ, then, they will suffer the same fate that the rich man did.

Let us be ready to tell others about Jesus. Let us tell the world that there is a Savior, who died to pay for their sins and who can set them free from the bondage of depravity.

May the Lord help us, strengthen us and fill us with His great love, that we might love others enough to tell them about Jesus. 
Bob

A note about the archive index containing all lessons I have posted on this blog since its inception in 2019. 

An index for all lessons posted from 2019 through 2021, was published on September 7, 2022.

An index for all lessons posted in 2022, was published January 24, 2023.

Each index lists lesson titles and the dates each one was posted, so that you can study subjects that we have written about.

December is almost gone  and our thoughts are turning to Christmas and the birth of Jesus Christ. 

In the archives you will find 9 lessons titled "The True Story Of Christmas," that were posted between December 16 and December 21, 2019.

These lessons are good resources for sharing the true reason we celebrate Christmas, when we gather with our families and loved ones.