Expert: Joe Norman - 10/10/2008

Question
Hello, Joe.  I was wondering: Where did the Old Testament people go when they died?

Answer
Hi Sharron,

You always seem to ask very excellent questions. I assume you are referring to faithful Old Testament people in your question. Please allow me to present some passages of the Bible to consider.


Gal.3:7-9
7 Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.

Gal.19-25
19 What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator. 20 Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one.
21 Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law. 22 But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. 24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.

I contend that the great leaders of the Old Testament were looking forward to Jesus and knew He would come to provide true salvation from our sins. The majority of Israel understood that a "Messiah" was going to come, but were not all clear as to who He would be or what kind of King and Kingdom would be established. Now whether or not we go to a waiting place (paradise) until Christ returns to bring us to Heaven or we just go directly to Heaven the moment we die is something hotly debated, but I do not think it is possible to prove one way or the other.

Yet I would have you consider the words of Jesus to the thief on the cross.

Luke 23:39-43
39 And one of the malefactors that were hanged railed on him, saying, Art not thou the Christ? save thyself and us. 40 But the other answered, and rebuking him said, Dost thou not even fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. 42 And he said, Jesus, remember me when thou comest in thy kingdom. 43 And he said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in Paradise.

Also consider these two passages.

Matt.22:32  I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.

Obviously, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are alive - where exactly is not specified.

Luke 16:19-31
19 Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, faring sumptuously every day: 20 and a certain beggar named Lazarus was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 and desiring to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table; yea, even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and that he was carried away by the angels into Abraham's bosom: and the rich man also died, and was buried.
23 And in Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 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 in anguish in this flame. 25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things: but now here he is comforted, and thou art in anguish.
26 And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, that they that would pass from hence to you may not be able, and that none may cross over from thence to us. 27 And 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 But Abraham saith, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one go to them from the dead, they will repent. 31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, if one rise from the dead.

The last passage is not a parable because no parable speaks of actual people that exist and are named.What it shows is that there seems to be a waiting place for us. There is also a side that is painful and truly punishment. The other side is much nicer and Abraham is there. I hope that my response has helped, but as always, if you have any follow-up questions or any new questions, I am happy to help. Always study the scriptures to verify that I am teaching God's Word accurately. We are all human though and so I am quite able to be wrong even when I believe I am not wrong. May God continue to bless you in your study and in your Christian walk.

                In Christ, Joe Norman