THE EARLY-CHRISTIAN CONCEPTION OF HADES.
The foregoing conclusion is well-nigh unassailable, in view of the fact
that the early Christians believed in an Intermediate State, which they,
like the Jews and Greeks, called "Hades."
Justin Martyr (A.D. 147) declares that "those who say that there is no
Resurrection, but that, immediately after death, their souls are taken
up to Heaven, these are not to be accounted either Christians or Jews."
Tertullian (A.D. 200) states that "the souls of all men go to Hades
until the Resurrection; the souls of the just being in that part of
Hades called the 'Bosom of Abraham,' or 'Paradise.'"
Origen (A.D. 230) expresses the same views. Lactantius (A.D. 306)
writes, "Let no one think that souls are judged immediately after death;
for they are all detained in the same common place of keeping, until the
time come when the Supreme Judge shall enquire into their good or
evil deeds."
Our English New Testament represents the rich man as being in Hell. But
the translation is a false one. In the original Greek it is, "In Hades
he lifted up his eyes."
So, then, the rich man, though in another sphere than that of Lazarus,
was also in Hades. I am aware that some teachers have viewed this
parable as depicting the future condition of man, in happiness or
misery, in Heaven or Hell.
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