To Hell and Back

Returning to his home base from combat, covered in sweat, dirt, and blood, the weary soldier dropped to the ground in relief; he had been spared from the carnage of the day’s fighting with the fanatical enemy. When asked about the battle, his only comment was that his leader, the captain, was a significant reason for his survival. He simply stated, “I will follow her to hell and back.” Other soldiers echoed his thoughts by talking about her courage, leadership, and concern for the foot soldiers’ welfare. Yes, they would follow her ‘to hell and back.”

Jesus died and “He descended into Hell, the Third Day He Rose again from the Dead.” The Apostles Creed is clear that Jesus did not proceed directly into His father’s embrace after his Crucifixion, but rather descended into Hell for three days. It is only after the period of three days that Jesus rose from the dead again and ascended to His Father. What was the purpose of his descent into hell? Why he was there and what did he accomplish? There are several reasons for Jesus’ presence in Hell, a few are listed below.

• Jesus suffered brutal physical punishments as redemption for man’s sins. However, the physical punishments were not sufficient to cover the part that the souls of men played in man’s sinfulness. As a result of Original sin, all of men’s souls also suffered from the loss of the beatific vision, thus Jesus participated in that suffering in order to complete the restitution for all aspects of sin. The difference between those souls who were in hell and Jesus was that Jesus was free to leave, whereas all others were constrained until freed by Him.
• Since Adam and Eve all souls, including those who lived worthy lives and were free from mortal sin, were suffering in hell. Jesus entered hell to free those who had died without mortal sins on their souls. From Adam and Abraham to the death of Jesus, no souls had been seen the beatific vision. Now that Jesus had redeemed mankind from the effects of Original Sin, Jesus would release those charitable souls to their reward in heaven. For those who trust in God, Jesus led them out of hell to their eternal reward. (However, St. Thomas Aquinas clearly states in his comments on the Apostles Creed that those who died with mortal sins on their souls will never be released from hell. “We ought to conceive fear and cast away presumption. Because although Christ suffered for sinners and descended into hell, yet he did not deliver all, but only those who were free from mortal sin, as we have said; whereas he left those who had died in mortal sin. Consequently, none who goes down thither in a state of mortal sin may hope for pardon but  he will remain in hell as long as the holy Fathers in paradise, namely for all eternity: These shall go into everlasting punishment: but the just into life everlasting.”
• By descending into Hell, Jesus demonstrates his total dominance of Satan. He has not only conquered Satan on earth but also in Satan’s domain – hell.

Similar to the soldiers who would follow their trustworthy leader to “hell and back”, those who trust and obey God as their leader will follow Him, not to hell, but rather to heaven.

Suggested Reading

St. Thomas Aquinas’ comments on mortal sin and everlasting hell can be accessed on the Internet at http://dhspriory.org/thomas/Creed.htm.  (Article Five in the notes on the Apostles Creed.)