"And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people. When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!” Matt.27:50-54 "This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.” (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers." Ephesians 4:9
"The word tells us that before Christ "ascended" he also "descended" to lower part of the earth and He led those who were held captive, meaning those who died before Christ went to Sheol, however the phrase here does not point to a specific place, but to the great depth, as it were, of the incarnation, including Christ’s descent, between His crucifixion and resurrection beyond the earth, the grave, and death, into the very pit of Hell or Hades, “the spirits in prison”. Before the death of Christ, both the lost and the saved went to Hades (Hebrew Sheol) although it was divided into the place of torments and the paradise of God (also called Abrahams bosom, Luke 16:19-31). When Jesus hung on the cross, He consoled the penitent thief that he would be in paradise with Christ on that day."
One of the accomplishments of the Resurrection was to lead “captivity captive,” that is, to remove Old Testament saints from Abraham’s bosom (Hades) and lead them to heaven. When a Christian dies today, he goes immediately into the presence of God (Phil. 1:23). Also see Psalm 16:10: “For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.” This is speaking of the time after Jesus had completed payment of the law on the cross. Victory was on the cross. There was nothing else to pay. When Jesus said; it is finished, it meant just that. The law had been completely fulfilled; there was no more suffering to do. Jesus deliberately went into Sheol to preach, and bring out the captives with Him. He had already defeated Satan, but Satan had to turn over the keys to hell and death. This does not refer to preaching the gospel but to making a triumphant announcement, in this case Christ’s announcement of His victory over the demons even while they tried to hold Him in death. Simply speaking Christ, led an Exodus out death and Hell into Heaven! Praise God and Thank you Jesus!
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