Abraham’s Bosom - Luke 16:22

In Luke chapter 16, we read of a place called “Abraham’s bosom.” “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” (Luke 16:22 KJV). What is Abraham’s bosom? Where is Abraham’s bosom? Knowing about Abraham's bosom, what does this say about the Blood of Jesus Christ? “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (I Peter 1:18-19 KJV). The Blood of Jesus Christ is all important. Let us answer these questions about Abraham’s Bosom.

WHAT IS ABRAHAM’S BOSOM

The people in the Old Testament (O.T.) did not go to Heaven when they died because Jesus Christ had not paid the perfect sacrifice for sin. The people of the O.T. went to a place called Sheol which has two sides: torment and paradise. Non-believers went to a place called torment. Believers went to a place called “paradise” or Abraham’s Bosom.

There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 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; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 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. 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. 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. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. (Luke 16:19-31 KJV)

The people in the O.T. are saved just like a person is saved today which is by faith in the Finished Redemptive Work of Jesus Christ. The people of the O.T. believed in the coming Messiah. They believed Jesus Christ was going to die on the Cross for their sins, burial, and resurrection. Genesis 15:6 (KJV) says: “and he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.” Abraham believed God and his faith was counted for righteousness. John 8:56 (KJV) says: “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.” Abraham saw the day of Christ and “was glad.” Galatians 3:8 (KJV) says: “And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.” Abraham believed in the Gospel. The Gospel is everlasting. “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people” (Revelation 14:6 KJV). If the Gospel is everlasting future, it has to be an everlasting past. The everlasting Gospel is defined in I Corinthians 15:1-4 (KJV): “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” Abraham’s bosom is a place where people went prior to Jesus Christ dying on the Cross for the sins of mankind, burial, and resurrection. The believers of the O.T. did not go directly to Heaven because Jesus Christ had not yet paid the perfect sacrifice for sin.

WHERE IS ABRAHAM’S BOSOM

Abraham’s Bosom was also called “paradise.” Paradise before Jesus Christ died on the Cross for sins was in the belly of the earth. Paradise today is “up” because Jesus offered His Blood payment for sin and His resurrection is proof God the Father accepted Jesus Christ death payment for sin. “It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter” (II Corinthians 12:1-4 KJV). Before Jesus Christ ascended, He descended first. “But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)” (Ephesians 4:7-10 KJV) When Christ died, He went to the belly of the earth (Abraham’s Bosom or “Paradise” and He led captivity captive. Psalm 16 tells us the saints are “in” the earth: “But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight” (Psalm 16:3 KJV). The “saints” are the saved people. Psalm 16 goes on to talk about not leaving “soul in hell.” “Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Psalm 16:9-11 KJV). The saved people in the O.T. are on the “paradise” or “Abraham’s Bosom” side of Sheol or Hell and the lost are on the torment side of Sheol or Hell. Peter speaks of this event in Acts chapter 2:

Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Until I make thy foes thy footstool. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:22-36 KJV)

Jesus Christ descended to Abraham’s Bosom which is called paradise side of Sheol or Hell. Abraham’s Bosom is empty today because Jesus Christ paid the perfect sacrifice for sin. Paradise today is “up” because offered His blood payment for sin.

HOW IMPORTANT IS THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST

Jesus Christ offered His Blood as a perfect sacrifice for sin. Jesus Christ entered into the Holy of Holies not made of man’s hands but in Heaven and He offered His Blood as a perfect sacrifice for sin and God the Father accepted Jesus Christ blood payment for sin.

But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood. For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. (Hebrews 9:11-28 KJV)

How important is the Blood of Jesus Christ? It is all important for no one goes to Heaven without the Blood of Jesus Christ imputed to your account which is received by Faith in the Finished Redemptive Work of Jesus Christ.

When believers die today, they are absent from the body and present with the Lord because Jesus paid the perfect sacrifice for sin. II Corinthians 5:8 (KJV) says: “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” Jesus Christ died for all sins of mankind, burial, and resurrection. Believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ for salvation and know you are going to Heaven when you die.

THE PLAN OF SALVATION - THE GOSPEL

The Gospel is Jesus Christ died on the Cross for our sins (past present future), He was buried and He resurrected the third day to show us the payment for sin is paid in full.

I Corinthians 15:1-4: Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

There is only one way to Heaven and it is the belief in the Finished Redemptive Work of Jesus Christ.

Titus 3:5: Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Lord Savior Jesus Christ was born for one reason and that is to save us from our sins. Jesus Christ does not come to condemn individuals. Jesus Christ comes to save us because we are all Hell doomed sinners without the Blood of Jesus Christ.

John 3:16-18: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

The Bible is very clear Jesus Christ does not come to condemn for we are already condemned.

Romans 3:23: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

The Bible is very clear the payment for sin is death; somebody has to die for your sin and this is why Jesus Christ come to this earth.

Romans 6:23: For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Let me ask you a very simple question. If you could be saved by being water baptized, doing good works, being a good person or following the Ten Commandments, why did the God from Eternity Past, the God from Eternity Future, the Ever Presence Jesus Christ reveal Himself in the flesh and die on the Cross and Resurrect the Third Day?

Galatians 2:21: I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

If you could earn salvation by doing those things, then Jesus Christ died in vain; but, we know Jesus Christ didn’t die in vain; Jesus Christ made a perfect sacrifice for sin because He is the Lamb of God and only the Lamb of God makes a perfect sacrifice for sin.

The resurrection is proof God the Father accepted Jesus Christ death payment for sin; death payment of past, present and future sin.

The bible is very clear Jesus Christ comes to saves us from a Hell we deserve to a Heaven we don’t.

People DO NOT go to Hell because they are “bad”, they go to Hell because they believe NOT the Gospel of Jesus Christ, they trust NOT in Jesus Christ as their Savior, they believe NOT that Jesus Christ died on the Cross for their sins, burial and resurrection.

Know that God is gracious to you and He has already died for all your sins (past present future) and He was buried showing all the world He died for your sins and He resurrected showing all the world that Jesus Christ fulfilled what the Father asked Him to do, IT IS FINISHED.

I pray you to believe in Jesus Christ right now for salvation; believe Jesus Christ died on the Cross for your sin, burial, and resurrection.

If you have not believed, what is stopping you right now from believing? God loves you and has already died and resurrected to meet you. Believe Jesus Christ died on the Cross for your sins, burial, and resurrection and receive the greatest gift ever which is eternal life. Eternal life does not start when you die, eternal life starts the very second you believe in Jesus Christ for salvation. Why not trust in Jesus Christ today for salvation. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:16-18 KJV)

If you know someone who is not saved, forward this message to them and share the greatest gift that one could ever receive.

Lance Edminster

The Good News Voice

Email: thegoodnewsvoice@gmail.com

Once Saved, Always Saved -"And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one." (John 10:28-30 KJV)