Question: If Jesus died on the cross and spent three days in hell to pay for the sins of the world, then why would we have to go to hell ourselves and pay for them again? God is then, in essence, being paid for our sins twice. With that said, was Jesus’ sacrifice not worthy enough? If that is the case, why should we care that he died for our sins if his sacrifice means nothing at all?
“Jesus told her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.” – John 11:25
“In the Hebrew Scriptures, the word used to describe the realm of the dead is sheol. It simply means “the place of the dead” or “the place of departed souls/spirits.” The New Testament Greek equivalent of sheol is hades, which also refers to “the place of the dead.” Other Scriptures in the New Testament indicate that sheol/hades is a temporary place, where souls are kept as they await the final resurrection and judgment. Revelation 20:11–15 gives a clear distinction between hades and the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the permanent and final place of judgment for the lost. Hades, then, is a temporary place. Many people refer to both hades and the lake of fire as “hell,” and this causes confusion. Jesus did not go to a place of torment after His death, but He did go to hades” Sheol is the place for the souls of the dead both for the righteous and the wicked.
When Jesus rose on the third day, he fulfilled the prophecy. When we accept Jesus into our hearts, and confess with our mouth that He is Lord, our sins are washed away. Since, we are forgiven of our sins, we do not have to worry about going to hell to pay for our sins, the debt has already been paid. Without Jesus sacrifice, we would suffer from our own sins and not be granted access into God’s heavenly kingdom. His sacrifice literally means life or death for us. If his sacrifice never took place, we would all be doomed, because we not even one is good. As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; [Romans 3:10]. This is why Jesus is worthy!
Additional Resources:
- http://www.gotquestions.org/did-Jesus-go-to-hell.html
- http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/he-descended-into-hell