The saints’ knowledge in Abraham’s bosom

So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. "Then 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 in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.' "Then he said, 'I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.' Abraham said to him, 'They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.' And he said, 'No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' But he said to him, 'If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.' "

(Luke 16:22-31)

We have already examined this passage to determine both the location of Abraham’s bosom and the rest the Old Testament saints experienced during their time there.

There is, however, another significant aspect worth noting: the striking difference between the Abraham we read about in Scripture during his earthly life and the Abraham depicted in this passage. During his lifetime, Abraham had many questions, yet here we see him possessing complete understanding. He knew why the rich man suffered and why Lazarus was comforted. He also understood why salvation was granted only to those who believed the gospel, and why those who refused to believe could never be saved—even if they were to witness someone rising from the dead.

It is therefore evident that the Old Testament saints gained full knowledge upon departing this life. The apostle Paul referred to this very truth when he wrote that in this present life we know only in part, but when we leave this life, we shall know fully (1 Corinthians 13:12).

Then Samuel said: "So why do you ask me, seeing the Lord has departed from you and has become your enemy? And the Lord has done for Himself as He spoke by me. For the Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbour, David. Because you did not obey the voice of the Lord nor execute His fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore the Lord has done this thing to you this day. Moreover the Lord will also deliver Israel with you into the hand of the Philistines. And tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The Lord will also deliver the army of Israel into the hand of the Philistines."

(1 Samuel 28:16-19)

The passage above continues the account of Saul’s conversation with Samuel when the medium summoned him from Abraham’s bosom. Once again, this account demonstrates the complete knowledge that the saints possess when they depart from this life.

Samuel knew the exact day Saul and his three sons would die, for he told Saul that the very next day they would join him in Abraham’s bosom. This not only reveals that the saints know the appointed time of death for individuals, but also that they know who will and who will not be saved—for only the redeemed were received into Abraham’s bosom after death.

Furthermore, Samuel knew that Israel would go to war with the Philistines, precisely when that war would occur, and what the outcome would be. This indicates that the saints possess knowledge of the events that will unfold among the nations of the earth—when those events will take place and how they will conclude.

As an aside, Samuel did not respond to Saul’s inquiry as a prophet, for the Lord had closed that avenue of communication to Saul (1 Samuel 28:15). Moreover, Samuel no longer stood in the office of prophet; he answered Saul because he had gained full knowledge, having departed from this life.

The Old Testament saints’ taken into heaven

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison,

(1 Peter 3:18-19)

For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

(1 Peter 4:6)

The place that Jesus referred to as Abraham’s bosom is no longer occupied, for it was emptied when Jesus was raised from the dead. Before His resurrection, the Old Covenant saints who died went to Abraham’s bosom to await the revealing of the Messiah.

The Holy Spirit, through the apostle Peter, reveals in the passages of Scripture quoted above that the Lord Jesus went to Abraham’s bosom after His resurrection, and the purpose of His visit was to preach the gospel to the saints who were there. Jesus had to proclaim the gospel to them so that they might believe in Him as their Lord and Saviour and thus be born again.

Therefore He says: "When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men."

(Ephesians 4:8)

Once the Old Testament saints were born again, they became qualified to enter heaven for the first time. The Holy Spirit, through the apostle Paul, reveals this truth in his letter to the church in Ephesus. This passage teaches that, after His resurrection, Jesus led the Old Testament believers with Him into heaven, where they will remain until they return with the Lord at the end of the age.

Michael E.B. Maher

Resurrection of the Dead

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