That is why the Scriptures say, “When he ascended to the heights, he led a crowd of captives and gave gifts to his people.” Notice that it says “he ascended.” This clearly means that Christ also descended to our lowly world. And the same one who descended is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, so that he might fill the entire universe with. Ephesians 4: 8-10
Even though by faith the saints of the Old Testament were saved they were not allowed to go directly into heaven immediately after dying prior to Jesus’s death and resurrection.
The reason is because Jesus had not yet made atonement for our sins to be cleansed through his crucifixion.
In the meantime, God furnished the saints of the Old Testament in a part of Sheol which was called “Abraham’s Bosom”- a comfortable atmosphere of peace and rest. There they would wait until Jesus arrived.
Within a separate (opposite) part of Sheol was a place of suffering and torment. This place was called Hades- where the souls of the unbelievers without faith, and wicked resided upon their deaths.
When Jesus died on the cross, he descended in the earth where he preached to the saints of the Old Testament while they continued to wait in Abraham’s Bosom.
As the Messiah they in faith one day expected he described to them God’s plan of salvation then set them all free within three days after Jesus himself ascended into heaven by directly escorting them.
That is why the Good News was preached to those who are now dead—so although they were destined to die like all people, they now live forever with God in the Spirit. 1Peter 4:6
Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.
So he went and preached to the spirits in prison— 1 Peter 3:18-19
