law, and they never knew Y‘shua. Y‘shua went to proclaim the fruits of his victory to them as well as to the
fallen angels and demon spirits locked up in the underworld.
Please note that the O.T. saints were kept by Satan in prison; remember Satan had ̳dunamis‘ power. Satan
had the prison keys: in other words, although they were in ̳paradise‘, they were confined there by Satan.
They needed to be released.
Where did Y‟shua go to take from the bowels of the underworld?Satan had the souls locked up in the heart of the earth. The righteous ones were in paradise and the wicked
ones in ̳sheol / hades‘. Note what Y‘shua is saying in the following verse:
―I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell
and of death.‖ (Rev 1:18)
Y‘shua went down to take the keys of ̳hell‘ (hades), so as to ensure that Satan would not be able to release
the wicked souls ever again. They are destined for judgment at the ̳Great White Throne‘.
Y‘shua went down for a second reason, and that was to release the righteous souls (i.e., to set the captives
free) and to strip Satan of his power.
(8) ―Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto
men.
(9) (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
(10) He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all
things.)‖ (Eph 4:8-10)
These are the ̳First Fruits‘ that were kept captive by Satan in paradise.
(1) ―The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings
unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the
opening of the prison to them that are bound;
(2) To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all
that mourn;‖ (Isaiah 61:1-2)
The exact moment when Y‘shua blew his last breath, his spirit was released; and instantly the righteous
souls of the ̳old dispensation‘ were released from prison.
(52) ―And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
(53) And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto
many.‖ (Matt 27:52-53)
Now take note - the flood occurred 2319 years BC. The victory of Y‘shua over Satan was proclaimed 2352
years later in the underworld. The souls/spirits of those who were disobedient were still there. They were not
there in the underworld for a short period to be purged. No, they are still captives there because they cannot
escape and are thus awaiting their ultimate judgment.
―By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison.‖ (1 Pet 3:19)
The resurrection of Y‟shua after three daysHe that descended is also the One that ascended – speaking of Y‘shua.
―He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.‖
(Eph 4:10)
When Y‘shua ascended on high, he let captives free; meaning Y‘shua took the righteous souls with him and
for him.
―Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the
rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.‖ (Psalm 68:18)
Y‘shua then went to heaven (the third heaven - 2 Cor 12:2); and is (since then until now) at the right hand of
YHWH.