Hades is the place of the dead and is located in the heart of the earth according to Jesus (Matt 12:40). If you look at the chart above Hades has two compartments. One side is called torments and the other side is called paradise, also known as Abraham's bosom. (Luke 16:19-31) Since Jesus Christ has risen from the dead the paradise side of hades is now in heaven. If you die in Christ today your spirit / soul would go into the presence of the Lord. (2 Corinthians chapter 5). Also Paul mentioned in first Corinthians chapter 12 that when he had visions, he went into the 3rd heaven, which is paradise. A strong case could be made for the fact when Jesus rose from the dead He ascended to the Father at that time. Jesus told Mary in John's account not to cling to Him because He had not ascended yet but after He would meet the brethren in Galilee. Ephesians chapter 4 also mentions Christ's ascension and taking captivity captive and giving gifts to men.
The Rich Man and Lazarus -
“There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. 20 But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, 21 desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off and Lazarus in his bosom. “Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. 26 And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us. 27 “Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, 28 for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’ 29 Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.”
There is other teaching of God’s word 6 that clearly indicates Jesus, after His death, His body went into the tomb (or grave) and His soul went into the paradise compartment of Hades for three days. There are differing opinions of what He did during that time, if anything. The most common view is that He proclaimed his victory over death, announced through the chasm or (great gulf fixed) his authority and impending judgment on the unbelieving and satan’s entire kingdom Then of course, on the third day, He rose from the dead and took with him all who were in the paradise compartment of Hades. There is much more scripture on this subject, however these diagrams give you the overall basics. I have somewhat of a construction background, so I like to think of it as having a foundation, then the framework, and then the rest, electrical, plumbing, sheet rock, etc. Most of the scripture I didn’t mention would be like adding the porch light fixtures and stuff like that. All that I want to accomplish is the house itself here. Continuing with the construction analogy, many people find the somewhat obscure details of scripture and start building around them. That makes about as much sense as putting your living room furniture on the cement slab and then start framing your house around those items.
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