THE THREE DAYS - NYOBS 68.29

THE THREE DAYS

Where was Jesus & what was He doing during the three days & three nights?

First Word

·         Before we begin, I feel a need to explain the Jewish Custom of counting, otherwise the days will not match up in relation to scripture.  They referred to any part of a day as if it were a whole day, so a few hours in the grave on Friday, all of Saturday and a few hours on Sunday were all counted together as THE THREE DAYS.

Three Predictions

• I start this Word Study with the words spoken by Jesus Christ Himself and recorded in many Bibles with His “WORDS IN RED”. – NYOBS 12.02 – NOW AND NOT YET – WORDS IN RED
• Jesus predicted His death three times – He told them that He MUST be killed, but would be raised to life again on THE THIRD DAY.  
• He would be handed over to the chief priest and teachers of the law and they would condemn Him to death.
• He would be mocked, flogged and crucified. – The disciples were filled with grief.
• Jesus had been asked for a “SIGN” that He was the Messiah; He told them that just as Jonah was in the belly of a huge fish for THREE DAYS, so He would be in the belly of the earth THREE DAYS.  (Although not specifically said in scripture, I believe Jonah actually died and was resurrected) – NYOBS 03.02 – JONAH & THE WHALE

Matt 16:21-28 – FIRST TIME - Jesus Predicts His Death

21 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.

22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”

23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “WHOEVER WANTS TO BE MY DISCIPLE must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.

26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?

27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.

28 “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

NIV

Matt 17:22-23 - SECOND TIME - Jesus Predicts His Death

22 When they came together in Galilee, he said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.

23 They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised to life.” And the disciples were filled with grief.

NIV

Matt 20:17-19 - THIRD TIME - Jesus Predicts His Death

17 Now Jesus was going up to Jerusalem. On the way, he took the Twelve aside and said to them,

18 “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death

19 and will hand him over to the Gentiles to be MOCKED and FLOGGED and CRUCIFIED. On the third day he will be raised to life!”  NIV

Matt 12:38-40 – THE THREE DAYS - The Sign of Jonah

38 Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, WE WANT TO SEE A SIGN FROM YOU.”

39 He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.

40 For as Jonah was THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

NIV

Time Out

·         Jesus said that He was the Way and the Truth and the Life and that NO ONE could come to the Father except through Him.

·         Wait a minute that sounds like, that all the followers of YAHWEH, Jehovah God, before the time of Jesus Christ WOULD NOT and COULD NOT inherit the kingdom of God.  Can that be right? – HOLD THAT THOUGHT -

John 14:6 – Jesus is the ONLY WAY to Jehovah God
⁶ Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

(NIV2011)

Destination Confirmation

• Before Christ died, “The Repentant Thief” on the cross asked to be “remembered”  when Jesus came into His kingdom and Jesus told him that TODAY he would be with Him in Paradise – This collaborates that Paradise was where Jesus would be that day.
• Some students of the Word disagree with the comma placement in the word “today” – I do not disagree, because it fits perfectly as stated with the rest of scripture.

Luke 23:42-43 – TODAY you will be with ME in Paradise
⁴² And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
⁴³ And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, TODAY you will be WITH ME in Paradise.”

(ESV)

Destination Defined

·         In Jewish theology, the “Blessed Souls” awaited in a compartment of Hell referred to as   Paradise or Abraham’s Bosom.  - Apocalyptic writings indicate that Paradise was located on the edge of Hell; not exactly in and not exactly out.  -  It was the abode of people, who had died in the friendship of God, but had to wait for the birth, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, the Son of God to open heaven's gates. - NYOBS 56.27 - PARADISE & HELL

·         Hell is a sphere in the center of the earth, therefore is bottomless.  No scripture, just saying -

·         In Biblical times, people would recline as they ate. – The one reclining near the head guy was referred to as reclining “In His Bosom”; a place of honor.

·         Before the time of Christ’s ministry, Hell was divided into two compartments separated by a large gulf. – Those who worshipped Jehovah God and had died in His friendship were in a compartment of Hell known as “Abrahams Bosom” or “Paradise”.  This was where the “Righteous Good” went after death.  – There they “tarried” till the resurrection.

Luke 16:26 – Hell had two compartments separated by a gulf
²⁶ And besides all this, between us and you there is a great chasm fixed, so that those who wish to come over from here to you will not be able, and that none may cross over from there to us.'(NASB)

Luke 16:22-23 – Abraham’s Bosom – Paradise in Hell

22 the beggar died- 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. KJV

Destination Reason

• Time is somewhat of an abstract for the dead, and exists only for the living; and is only a pin point of existence somewhere between eternity past and eternity future.
• During this time of “tarring” in Paradise, the people were awake having emotions, feelings, and dialog. Note: Not one of them had ever heard of Jesus Christ; the Son of God.
• At Christ’s death on the Cross, He went to Abraham’s Bosom also known as Paradise and for three days preached the “Good News Message” to those that had died over the past 4,000 years, and they ACCEPTED Him.   

Matt 12:40 – Three days in Hell

40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. NIV

Eph 4:8-10 – He descended first to hell to lead out the captives

8 This is why it says: "When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men." 

9 What does "HE ASCENDED" mean except that he also DESCENDED to the lower, earthly regions?

10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe. NIV

1 Peter 3:18-20 – He preached in Hell – In Abraham’s Bosom

18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit,

19 through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison

John 8:32 – The truth set the captives free

32 Then you will know THE TRUTH, and the truth will set you free."

Destination Departure

• Jesus appeared to Mary BEFORE He ascended to Heaven collaborating that Paradise was still on earth and had not been taken to heaven.
• When Jesus ascended, He took “Paradise” and everybody in it up to heaven, where it is now. There is no longer a “tarring” place on this earth.

·         Side Note: With Paradise removed, Hell has now been enlarged to receive all the new folks for the last 2000 years who have rejected the Truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

• Today We that love the Lord do not go to the lower parts of the earth when we die, but go immediately to Heaven and are active with Jesus Christ. – Paradise in now in Heaven. - SELAH

John 20:11-17 – I have not yet ascended to the Father

11 Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept

15 "Woman," he said, "why are you crying? Who are you looking for?"

16 Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (Which means Teacher).

17 Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father.” NIV

Eph 4:8 – He took all those in Abrahams Bosom to heaven

8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Holy Spirit day of Pentecost) KJV

2 Cor 5:8 – Absent from the body – Present with God

8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. NKJV

John 11:26 – The Believer will never die

26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this? NIV

Destination Qualifications

• Jesus said we must come to Him believing and trusting; without reservation; just as a child would run to his daddy and jump into his arms.
• The Sermon on the Mount; “The Beatitudes” do not show a man how to be saved; they show the characteristics of someone who is saved. – They are not promises of blessings for the saved, but are a description of someone who is saved.

1. Poor in spirit – Realization that we are spiritually bankrupt and can offer God nothing.
2. Those who mourn – Anguishing over sin; over perishing souls; wanting right to prevail.
3. Meek – Accepting opposition, insults and provocation – Bearing patiently – Mild and calm.
4. Hunger for righteousness – All sin and wrongdoing to anyone grieves them.
5. Merciful – Being kind, showing pity, mercy and compassion, even when it’s not convenient.
6. Pure in Heart – No hidden motives or self-interest; a pure heart with singleness of purpose
7. Peacemaker – Bringing men into harmony with each other – Calming the waters.

• Love – You must love Christ more than your own family or you are not worthy of Him.
• Give – of what you have to those who can’t pay you back. - Give justice, mercy, compassion and faithfulness.

• Someone who is rich puts his trust in what he has – Someone who is poor puts his trust in what he hasn’t – It’s very hard for someone rich to seek the Kingdom of Heaven; they do not see themselves as having any needs. – They are self-sufficient. – They don’t need God.  (Jesus said this, not me.)
• The Bar is set very high - Who then can qualify to enter the Kingdom of God? – By man’s efforts, no one can qualify to enter – only by the grace of God is it possible.

Matt 18 2-5 – Believe and trust as a child with his daddy.

2 He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them.

3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

5 And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

NIV

Matt 5:3-12 – It’s your attitude toward God  

3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.

12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

NIV

Matt 19:23-26 - The Rich entering the Kingdom of Heaven

23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.

24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “WHO THEN CAN BE SAVED?”

26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.”

NIV

Last Thoughts

TWO KINGDOMS – The NOW and the NOT YET

• THE NOW – This kingdom is present for believers to enter NOW and enjoy His blessings.
• THE NOT YET – This kingdom is future, it is when we enter into eternal life and reign with Christ.
• WE MUST ENTER into the NOW present kingdom in order to enter into the NOT YET future kingdom of “eternal life”. The believer accepts God’s reign in their present lives; and reigns with Him in the future. - Blessings in the Present – Even greater blessing in the future. – NYOBS 12.02 – NOW & NOT YET

·         When Christ returns at His second coming, there will be a resurrection of all souls that have died and they will be reunited with their bodies whether they are in the grave, in the sea, consumed by fire or carried off by dogs. - NYOBS 25.21 - SECOND COMING

·         The Un-Believer, Believer as well as the Make-Believer will be awakened from their sleep; (death) and will be judged for every work, whether good or evil. – NYOBS 30.27 - TWO JUDGMENTS

·         Qualifications to get into the Kingdom of Heaven will be by Believing in Jesus,  Repentance, Faith and Trust – Knowing that you have nothing to offer God – Having a deep concern about sin and perishing souls – The desire for right to prevail – To accept opposition, insults and provocation – Bearing patiently – Displaying a mild and calm attitude – Grieving over wrong doing – Having no self-interest, but a singleness of Heart toward the Gospel – Showing kindness, pity, mercy and compassion whether it’s convenient or not – Attempting to bring men into harmony with each other; calming the waters – Loving even your enemies – Having fruit from your works and growing the gifts that have been given to you.

·         All will enter into their Permanent or Eternal State. – NYOBS 16.13 - SAVED – MAYBE

1.     The Believer will inherit the New Heaven and New Earth; EVERLASTING LIFE.

2.     The Un-believer will inherit the Lake of Fire (Gehenna); EVERLASTING CONTEMPT.

3. The Make Believer – How much more severely will God deal with the one who KNOWS and continues to sin; who tramples the Son of God under his feet and makes the blood of the Covenant an un-holy thing; insulting the Holy Spirit. – (It’s in the book)  NYOBS  30.16 SINLESS

For the Spirit or Souls who have died;

Scripture confirms that there is no other Realm, Condition or Form

besides the Lake of Fire and the Highest Heaven.

TODAY IS THE DAY OF GOD’S FAVOR – LIFE IS CHOICE DRIVEN

2 Corinthians 6:2 – TODAY is the day of salvation
² I tell you, NOW IS THE TIME OF GOD’S FAVOR,

now is the day of salvation.

Isaiah 26:19 – The Spirit will unite with their body.
¹⁹ Your dead shall live; Together with my dead body they shall arise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in dust; for your dew is like the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.

(NKJV)

Ecclesiastes 12:14 – God will judge every work – good or evil
¹⁴ For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.

(NKJV)

John 5:29 - Resurrection to Life - Resurrection to Condemnation
²⁹ and come forth--those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.

(NKJV)

Daniel 12:2 - Everlasting life - Everlasting contempt
² And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt.

In the multitude of counselors,

there is wisdom.

Proverbs 11:14

I am grateful to those that went before me providing concepts, ideas, historical

information, and scripture verses.  Because of them I can stand on their shoulders

and see further that I otherwise ever could have.

                                                                                                                                     

A Commentary; Critical, Experimental and Practical - Eerdmans

Antiquity of the Jews – Flavius Josephus Matthias

Apocrypha – Goodspeed

Baker Commentary on the Bible – Elwell

Bible Almanac; The – Packer-Tenney-White

Bible Commentary – F.B. Meyer

Bible Dictionary – Harper and Row

Bible Dictionary – Nelson’s

Dake’s Annotated Bible – Dake

English Standard Version Bible – ESV

Expositor’s Bible Commentary – Frank E. Gaebelein

Illustrated Bible Dictionary; The – Tyndale

Interlinear Greek-English New Testament - Baker

King James Version Bible – KJV

Matthew Henry’s Commentary - Zondervan

Mysteries of the Bible – Readers Digest

Nave’s Topical Bible - Zondervan

New International Dictionary of the Bible; The – Douglas - Tenney

New International Version Bible (2011) – NIV

NOTE: The “new” NIV has been corrupted and made gender neutral.  AVOID IT.

Thru the Bible – J. Vernon McGee

Vincent’s Word Studies of the New Testament – Mac Donald

Who’s Who in the Bible – Paul D. Gardner

Wycliffe Bible Commentary; The – Pfeiffer & Harrison

Wikipedia –

Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible; The – Tenney