Today on the verdict with Pastor John Monroe. At the crucifixion, perhaps Satan and the fallen angels thought that they were victorious when Christ died. But now, in his resurrected power, our magnificent Saviour went and announced his triumph over the forces of darkness and over these fallen angels. What a triumphant work our Saviour has accomplished. Welcome to the verdict.
the Bible teaching of Pastor John Monroe. 1 Peter 3, 19 and 20 has challenged believers and scholars for centuries. Did Christ really descend into hell as stated in the Apostles' Creed? Today, Pastor John Monroe examines three different interpretations of this difficult text and deals with the implications for followers of Christ. Here's John with today's fascinating message, the triumph of the cross.
Preaching through the Holy Scriptures in a consecutive way is very rewarding. but it's also very challenging. were forced to deal with subjects which perhaps otherwise We would not. Today we come to 1 Peter 3. Verses 19 and 20, which are some of the most difficult verses in the New Testament.
I'll do my best to explain them, although I'm certainly not saying I have the perfect interpretation. One of the common views is that Jesus descended into hell. But as we all see, This is a problematic view. But again, some would say my view also has its problems. As usual?
The verdict is yours.
So let's look at this passage, which has generated a lot of debate and controversy. I want to present three views.
Well, let me ask you to donate your Bibles to First Peter chapter three. We're looking particularly at 1 Peter 3, verses 19 through 20, but for the sake of Uh the context will read verse 18. For Christ also suffered once for sins. The righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God. Being put to death in the flesh.
but made alive in the spirit. In which he went. and proclaim to the spirits in prison. because they formerly did not obey. When God's patience waited in the days of Noah while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely.
Through water. No, what the hell does that mean? I'm going to summarize Interpretations under three main views. There are many, many views. First of all, The view the descent into hell.
The sensors ad inferno. in Latin. No. Why does this you?
Well, this is an ancient view, and it is that between the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, he descended into hell. Jesus descends into hell in his disembodied spirit. That is, the dissent occurred when Jesus had not bodily. Risen from the dead. The Spirit, referred to in verse 19, I refer to fallen angels.
in the Jew, or to people who drowned at the in the flood. At the time of Noah, to whom Jesus is offering a second opportunity for salvation. Another variation of this descent into hell view is that Jesus descended into hell. to lead Old Testament believers who were in the upper Chamber of Hades called Abraham's bosom. And these Old Testament Believers?
They had that faith. Think of all of the people who believed in the Old Testament. They are, in this view, in a kind of prison. in Hades and uh our Lord goes there And they are awaiting His atoning sacrifice. That's uh common view, not just of Roman Catholics, but of many Protestants as well.
But is this what Peter is referring to in these difficult verses in nineteen and twenty? Let me give you a suggested critique of this view. What we can definitely say Is that any suggestion of a second chance of salvation to those who have died must be rejected? It's a common question when people die. Will they at some point have another opportunity to receive Christ?
Absolutely not. Hebrews 9.27 makes it very clear that it's appointed unto men once to die. And after this, the judgment.
Now as you look at verse A tin, which we saw a couple of weeks ago. The expression put to death in the flesh refers to Christ Pre-resurrection condition in his human sphere of existence. The expression made alive in the spirit. is best seen as Christ's bodily resurrection. He's put to death in the flesh, crucifixion.
He's made alive in the spirit, resurrection.
So the proclamation, I believe, in verse 19. Occurred after the resurrection, not between the death and resurrection of Jesus. Also The scripture doesn't say that Jesus descended, verse 19. It said he went. Peter is not saying that Jesus descended to hell between his death and resurrection.
And the idea that he went to preach to Old Testament believers. Seems strange when Peter refers to them as spirits in. Prison. To refer to Abraham's bosom as a prison seems very strange. Lazarus, who went to Abraham's bosom, didn't need to be liberated.
And also Why is one particular group of believers singled out? Why Peter? Why are those living in the days of Noah. Why are they hearing this proclamation? They're not described as holy souls, as we read in the Catechism.
They're described, verse 20, as those who formerly did not. Obey.
So I am rejecting. Respectfully. I trust humbly, the descent into hell. View.
So here's the second view. that some of you hold. The pre-incarnate Christ view.
So in this view, the pre-incarnate Christ That Christ existed before his incarnation, that the pre-incarnate Christ. preached through Noah to the sinful generation which was living on the earth at the time of Noah. Did you get that?
So the spirit of the pre-incarnate Christ Christ is preaching. Peter is saying that, he preached. What was that preaching in this view? He preached through his servant Noah to the sinful generation that was living on earth at the time. Was a message that the flood was coming?
that you need to repent, you need to have faith, you need to get into the ark. But these were disobedient people. during the days of Noah. and they're now in prison. Verse 20, they formerly did not obey.
When God's patience waited in the days of Noah while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is eight persons, were brought safely through water.
So you can understand where this view is coming from.
So in this view Jesus did not descend into hell between his death and his resurrection. nor did he go to hell after his resurrection. The proclamation that Peter is referring to in verse 19 is a proclamation that was made hundreds of years earlier. By the pre-incarnate Christ preaching through Noah.
Now what do we make of that view?
Well, number of comments. In scripture, spirits, we're talking about spirits in prison. In Scripture, spirits It's used of angels. Who are non-human spiritual beings are created by God. They are spirit beings.
It's never used of people unless the context makes it very, very clear that humans are in view. Why would Peter call them spirits?
So this term spirits To me. seems most unlikely to refer to people. Why didn't he say that the pre-incarnate Christ preached to these people? Also, Peter says, verse 19, in which he went. and proclaim to the spirits in prison.
That implies, doesn't it? that Jesus went on a journey after he was made alive, that is after the resurrection.
So, in the pre-incarnate Christ view, this expression he went seems very redundant. This view, the pre-incarnate Christ's view is very creative. That Christ preached to people during their lives through Noah. And that now they are spirits in prison, is, I'm suggesting to you, is not a natural reading. of the text.
Is your head spinning? You're saying John I got lost after your first sentence. No you didn't. Stay with me. I'm trying to make this as clear as I can.
As I say, these are probably the most difficult verses in all of the Bible, certainly. They're among the most difficult. And I've tried hard to summarize this in the little time I have.
so that you can understand. Here's the third view. And you're going to say. That's your view. You got it.
and you're thinking he thinks it's the correct view. Yes, I do. I wouldn't give you it if I didn't think it was a crackshoe. Could I be wrong? Yes, I could be wrong.
This is the triumphal. Proclamation over the spirit worldview. The triumphal proclamation by our Savior over the spirit world.
Now what do we mean by this view? After Christ's victorious resurrection, He proclaimed a message of eternal judgment to the imprisoned fallen angels. These fallen angels had sinned During the lifetime of Noah, he refers to Noah. And their wicked offspring had continued to be disobedient at the time the Ark was being Built. when God's patience was evidence.
year after year after year. God held his. judgment. Think of the patience of God. God doesn't want people To go to hell?
He's a patient God, He's a kind God, He's a loving God. But if you don't obey, judgment is coming. In those days, illustrated by the ark, by the flood. If you're not in the ark, If you didn't believe that. You were lost.
So in this view, the picture is of Christ announcing his victory in his resurrection glory over the evil powers rather than offering anyone salvation or liberty. What's the particulars of this view? Who are the spirits? I asked that question in the beginning. These are fallen angels.
Turn. Read about the ark. in Genesis 6.
Well, you quickly turn there, you can find it. First book of the Bible. Genesis six is about Noah, it's about the flood. There's obviously a connection with this, whatever we make of it, because. Peter refers to Noah, he refers to the Ark.
Genesis 6 verse 1. When man began to multiply on the face of the land, And daughters were born to them, the sons of God. Angels. saw that the daughters of man were attractive. And they took as their wives any they chose.
You think this is weird? It is. There is Evil. Angels. See that some of the women are very attractive.
and they take them as their wives. And the Lord said, My spirit shall not abide in man forever. For he is flesh, his days shall be a hundred and twenty years. The Nephilim Giants. We were on the earth in those days, and also afterwards, when the sons of God.
came in to the daughters of man, and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown.
So these evil spirits Take attractive woman. And produce this race of giants. Nephilim. Verse five. The Lord saw the wickedness of man was great in the earth.
and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was over, was only evil continually. And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his Heart.
Sons of God, Genesis 6, are fallen angels. They send and cohabited with women who lived on the earth at that time. The result of that union were these Nephilim, these giants. These strange beings And these Angels. Are the spirits in prison?
They're the same group, I believe, as the wicked angels referred to in Second Peter. You've got 1 Peter 3, turn a few pages to 2 Peter chapter 2. Get with me. Second Peter Two verse. Four.
For if God did not spare angels when they'd sinned, as the fallen angels. God didn't spare them. What did He do with them? He cast them into hell. I'm reading from the ESV, it says hell.
The Greek word is Tartarus. There's the deepest. Hell as a word. and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness. to be kept Until the judgment.
If he did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a flood upon the world of that ungodly, and he goes on. The fallen angels. Eden Genesis 6. were grossly immoral. and transgressed.
And they bring this wicked offspring into the world, hence the need for the flood. God's judgment fell on people who were particularly evil. And who, in spite of God's patience, continued to disobey Him. Continued to disobey when the ark was being made. The flood is about to come, and only Noah and his family, a family of faith, go into the ark.
They are the only ones who are saved. when the waters of the flood come.
Now this prison to which the fallen angels are sent. called Tartarus. It's the deepest pit. It's where these wicked fallen angels are bound. Jesus after his resurrection.
proclaims a message to these fallen angels in his triumph. This proclamation was not a proclamation of the gospel. It wasn't giving these angels a second chance. It was an announcement of triumph. an announcement of victory over the spiritual forces of darkness.
At the crucifixion, perhaps Satan and the fallen angels thought that they were victorious when Christ died. But now, in his resurrected power, our magnificent Saviour, after his resurrection but prior to his ascension, went and announced his triumph over sin, over Satan, over the forces of darkness, and over these fallen angels. The proclamation of triumph then To these evil spirits was a proclamation of judgment to them, sealing their doom. Apostle Paul puts it this way. When he had disarmed, again, our Lord in his resurrection.
When he had disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame by triumphing over them in him. Look at verse 22. of first Peter three. We'll come to it next week. Regarding our Saviour.
Peter says he's gone into heaven. And is at the right hand of God. With angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him. The angels, the powers, the authorities of wickedness are now subjected to our Lord Jesus Christ as he rises from the dead and announces his triumph. Over these powers and angels.
And they are now subject. To him. What's Peter saying, if I can conclude? Christ having suffered for our sins, Having been put to death in the flesh and made alive in the spirit, made proclamation to these evil spirits that he is the triumphant one. That he is the king of kings and lord of lords, and the doom of these evil spirits is sealed.
Christ, as Peter says, is now at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven. after these angels and powers and authority are subject to him.
Now think of the context. You're in the first century. and you're being persecuted. Think of this. What a great encouragement for them in the first century to read this.
A great encouragement to suffering Christians that our Savior rose from the dead. And we rejoice that not only did he rise from the dead, we share. in this triumph with Christ. We who follow him have an eternal victory. And we know.
That as we follow our Lord Jesus Christ, who has conquered death, who is greater than the fallen angels, who's greater than Satan, that when He leads us, As we follow him, we're his authentic followers. That he will lead us through no darker room than he has gone himself. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, You are with. Me. Our Savior has gone into darkness.
He has conquered the fallen angels. When John Preston was dying, He was asked if he feared death. Listen to what he says, no. I shall change my place. But I shall not change my company.
Yes. He's going to go from earth Ah, but he's not changing his company. I will never leave you. I will never forsake you. though I go through the valley of the shadow of death, though I'm persecuted, though I'm isolated, though I lose my job, though I lose everything I have, Christ is with me.
Not only is He with me, He is the triumphant Christ. You know, today we live in an unjust world. A world of suffering, a world which rejects Christ, a world of evil. A world where often wickedness seems to flourish. And we the people of God suffer.
Some of you are afraid of what's going to happen to this country. You're wondering what's going to happen to America. You wonder what's going to happen to you. Stop worrying. Do not Fear.
We as followers of Jesus Christ are not to be characterized by fear. And not to be characterized by despondency, quite the contrary. What do we do? We look up. And we rejoice.
That God, the just God, through His Son, has triumphed. Don't be fearful. Don't be intimidated by the hostility and evil of our world. All of us. Who share in the magnificent triumph of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We have that for all of eternity, and the greatest suffering leads to the greatest triumph. No one suffered like Christ. No one has triumphed like Christ. And those of us who know Christ, we are forever bound to him. That there is no force in all of the universe.
No demon, no devil, no fallen angel can separate us. From the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. What a future we have. As the people of God, rejoice. Look up.
God has been gracious to you. Because not only Did our Saviour die for our sins? The just for the unjust. He has risen from the dead. He has ascended.
into heaven itself. He's alive. And we are united with Him. And nothing in this universe. will stop us from rejoicing.
In our magnificent triumph of our Lord Jesus Christ. What a message to these suffering Christians. What a message to you. That Christ is alive. And because he lives.
We live. Also You're listening to the verdict with Pastor John Monroe, examining one of Scripture's most mysterious passages in his message, The Triumph of the Cross. John returned shortly with concluding remarks. While we may not fully understand this passage in 1 Peter, We know that Christ is triumphant over the forces of darkness and offers hope and salvation to all who place their trust in Him. He has conquered hell and death, and what encouragement this brings to believers facing opposition to day.
Having a biblical perspective really does change how you live your life every day. And that's why we're offering, for the time is near. a booklet written by John that deals with the book of Revelation in a practical and straightforward way. Get your free copy today by visiting our website at the verdict.org. While you're there, you can also make a financial contribution to this Bible teaching ministry.
Every dollar you invest in the verdict equips believers while reaching the lost with gospel truth. Your contribution, whether $25, $100, or any amount, ensures Biblical teaching is available to mature followers of Christ, new believers, and even skeptics questioning the truth of God's Word. In a world that has largely forgotten God, help us share Christ. Make your secure gift today at theverdict.org. If you're in the Charlotte area, we'd love to welcome you to Sunday worship at Calvary Church, where John serves as senior pastor, or join us remotely through our live stream online.
For more details, visit theverdict.org.
Now, here's Pastor John Monroe with closing remarks.
Well, what's your verdict? What do you believe these verses are teaching? You may think it takes too much effort to puzzle them out. While that's understandable, as followers of Jesus Christ, we do seek humbly to understand what the Holy Spirit has inspired. I praise God for the triumph of our Savior over all the opposition.
So throughout the challenges and difficulties of life we take courage. As Christ has gone ahead and is victorious, it's wonderful to know that we share His triumph. We shall live forevermore. Thanks for joining us today on The Verdict. I'm Michelle Davies.
Today's program with Pastor John Monroe was produced and sponsored by Calvary Church in Charlotte, North Carolina.
