Before Jesus died for our sins, how did anyone go to heaven?

Before Jesus died and rose again, no human being—righteous or unrighteous—entered heaven. Jesus stated this plainly:

“No one has ascended into heaven except he who came down from heaven, the Son of Man” (John 3:13)

Until his sacrifice was completed and the ransom price presented to satisfy Divine Justice, the “new and living way” into heaven was not open. The heavenly calling—the invitation to become sons of God and partakers of the divine nature—did not exist before Christ. Even faithful men like Abraham, Moses and David could not enter heaven because the high calling had not yet begun.

In the Old Testament era, individuals were justified by faith, but this was a justification to friendship with God, not a justification to life. They trusted God’s promises, and their faith was “counted to them for righteousness,” yet they still remained under Adam’s death sentence because the ransom had not yet been paid. When they died, Scripture describes them as being “gathered to their people” or “sleeping with their fathers.” These expressions refer to sheol in Hebrew or hades in Greek—the grave, the unconscious state of death. Peter confirmed at Pentecost that David was still dead and buried, emphasizing that he had not ascended to heaven.

These faithful ones are sometimes referred to as the “Ancient Worthies.” They died in faith, believing God’s promises, but they did not receive the heavenly reward because that promise had not yet been revealed. Their hope is an earthly resurrection. Hebrews 11 explains that they will receive a “better resurrection”—a return to perfect human life on earth at the beginning of Christ’s Millennial Kingdom.

In that future age, they will serve as “princes in all the earth,” visible leaders and teachers under the authority of Christ and his glorified church (the faithful followers of Jesus). Instead of being the ancestors of the Messiah, they will become his “children,” receiving life from him and serving as the earthly phase of the kingdom.

The heavenly calling began only after Jesus’ resurrection. He was the “firstborn from the dead” and the “forerunner” who opened the way to immortality.

After his sacrifice, God began inviting a “little flock” to follow in his footsteps. These are the ones who accept Christ as Savior, deny themselves, take up their cross and present their bodies as living sacrifices. They strive against the world, the flesh and the devil, developing Christlike character through suffering and obedience. If faithful unto death, they are resurrected to heavenly life and become “partakers of the divine nature.” Every New Testament epistle is addressed to this class—the church—who are called to reign with Christ.

What, then, of the rest of humanity—both those who lived before Jesus and the billions who have lived since? Scripture teaches that all who are in their graves will come forth. Those who have faithfully followed Christ receive the resurrection of life, while the vast majority of mankind will come forth to a resurrection of judgment during the Millennial Age. Under the righteous rule of Christ and his church, the world will learn righteousness, come to know the Lord, and have the opportunity to gain everlasting life on a restored earth.

In summary, no one before Jesus entered heaven because the ransom had not yet been paid and the heavenly calling had not yet begun. The Ancient Worthies await a perfect earthly resurrection, while the church—called after Christ’s sacrifice—receives the unique privilege of heavenly life. Through Christ’s work, both classes will ultimately bless the world in God’s great plan of salvation.

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