Hastings makes a good point that goes unanswered - before Jesus came along was the default condition that people went to hell automatically when they died? Was this an oversight of god, and did he only realise when he was no longer recieving fresh imports into heaven? In fact it would've lasted for centuries AD while canonisation took place.
Another rather untidy loose end in the Christian story I'd say.
More homework for Raspy.
(Sorry Hastings, I took the liberty to expand with my thoughts onto your concerns.)
I've already answered that weeks ago...look it up....
Can you repost it please, I'm not sure that we've all seen it.
Luke 16:19–31 shows that, prior to Christ's resurrection, Hades was divided into two realms: a place of comfort where Lazarus was (Abraham's bosom or Abraham's side) and a place of torment where the rich man was.
Before the cross, the spirits of those who died in faith of a coming redeemer, went to a place that came to be known as Paradise. The Jews also called it Abraham’s Bosom. It was located in Sheol, which is Hebrew for “the abode of the dead. ” Its Greek name is Hades.
Story of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) above....They did not go directly to Heaven because Heaven was only opened to believers after the cross. When Jesus rose from the dead, these spirits were taken to Heaven (Ephesians 4:8).
