Where Did Old Testament Saints Go When They Died? | AskFOI

Many have wondered, “Did the Old Testament saints go directly into God’s presence after death, or were they in a place called Hades, separated into different ‘compartments’ until Jesus’ death and resurrection?” Dr. David Gunn shares the origin of the compartment theory, examines the account of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16, and explains why faithful Bible scholars have reached different conclusions. Along the way, he discusses key passages often used to support the compartment view and offers a careful, biblical approach to a topic that Christians have debated for centuries. One important truth remains clear: Although Jesus had not yet come to Earth, Old Testament believers were saved the same way people are today—by God’s grace through faith. Their faith looked forward to God’s promised Redeemer, just as ours looks back to Christ’s finished work on the cross.