WHERE DID THE DEAD GO BEFORE JESUS CAME TO EARTH?

Sheol/hades was a place  with two divisions: A place of blessing and a place of judgment (Matthew 11:23; 16:18;Luke 10:15; 16:23; Acts 2:27–31).

The abodes of the saved and the lost are both generally called “hades” in the Bible.

The abode of the saved is also called “Abraham’s bosom” (KJV) or “Abraham’s side” (NIV) in Luke 16:22 and “paradise” in Luke 23:43.

The abode of the unsaved is called “hell” (KJV) or “Hades” (NIV) in Luke 16:23.



The abodes of the saved and the lost are separated by a “great chasm” (Luke 16:26).



When Jesus died, He went to the blessed side of sheol and, from there, took the believers with Him to heaven (Ephesians 4:8–10). The judgment side of sheol/hades has remained unchanged. All unbelieving dead go there awaiting their final judgment in the future.