Scriptural Reference:
"For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does."
1 Peter 4:6

"And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us."
Luke 16:26

"(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)"
Ephesians 4:9-10

"As many were astounded at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:"
Isaiah 52:14

"And the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades."
Revelation 1:18

Reflection:
It is my belief that Jesus the Christ went down to Hell to free the righteous souls from the Old Testament. And to this point I will argue that by doing this, he was fully able to understand the pain caused by human sin. There by being able to offer Himself as a complete and perfect offering for our redemption, even for the redemption of all of mankind's sins. To achieve this we can understand that God brought him back to life, reunited his soul with a glorified body, making him the first to rise from the dead. We may read in 1 Peter 4:6 the Bible makes reference to his journey to the underworld, mentioning that the "good news was preached to the dead". The Catechism of the Catholic Church also cites Ephesians 4:9, which states that "[Christ] descended into the lower parts of the earth", as further evidence of this firm belief. This understanding is shared by Anglicans, Catholics and Episcopalians (along with many Trinitarian Protestants). All of whom agree with and repeat the Apostles Creed, which mention Jesus "descending into hell" as a triumphant act against Evil, not as a punishment for his sins; as He was perfect and sinless. The spotless lamb of God.

He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead.
Apostles Creed

Within the Anglican tradition there has permission given to high-ranking figures to teach about an intermediate state of existence called Hades. This includes both Gehenna and Paradise; where there is an unbridgeable gap between the two. In Luke 16:26 we read a description of this gulf that separates the two regions. Where, a rich man, begs Abraham to send Lazarus to help relieve his thirst. As the place he is in (Gehenna). Abraham reminds the rich man that there is a vast gulf between Gehenna and Pardes; and that there is no way for anyone to travel in either direction: A set division between judgement and reward that stands as a stark reminder of the choices of our future.

Gehenna: Greek Hebrew
Translation: Gey Hinnom
Meaning: Valley of Wailing

Paradise: English Hebrew
Translation: Pardes
Meaning: Garden

So how does this help us as Christians in today's fractured world to be able to connect to and understand a very important part of our salvation? What value is there for us in knowing that there is a gulf between Heaven and Hell? As well as to know that our Lord and Saviour Jesus the Christ descended down into Hell and suffered there for us; after suffering on the cross. Or that He was later taken up by God and given a new perfect body?

We can firstly start by contemplating about the anguish and suffering that our Lord experienced on the cross. Jesus was insulted, ridiculed, tortured and forced to endure through a rigged and corrupted trial. He was whipped and beaten by the Roman soldiers, as the Romans had nothing but contempt for the Jews. In Isaiah 52:14 we read how that His face was marred beyond all recognition. Take time to ponder just how our Lord and saviour suffered horrendously for our forgiveness and our salvation. But wasn't this being crucified enough for our reconciliation with God? Wouldn't such a demeaning and atrocious death be enough to be a payment for our sins?

To begin with we really need to grasp the importance that all things must be fulfilled as the prophets of the Old Testament had foretold. That is to say that to fulfil every aspect of the Lords understanding of humanities suffering as well as to be the perfect substitute for our sin Jesus the Christ entered Hell, or Gehenna, to take that extra step. It's here that we may be challenged by some other Christian sects, groups or schisms. Who don't believe, accept or understand the importance of this vital chapter in our Salvation story. It is also a piece of theological study that we each need to steadfastly and earnestly do our part to learn. Essentially Jesus went into Hell, or Gehenna, to both suffer and experience our earthly and judgmental suffering. He went there to free all those who had gone there previously. And so provide salvation for those who were under the old law and who were now freed under the new law of grace. Jesus the Christ was breaking the chains of death and hell. So through His entering Hell he had made it possible for us to meet with Him one day on the appointed day of the rapture.

We can read how the Old Testament prophets spoke of how all things to come and be made manifest in Gods' great plan needed to be fulfilled. We also can read how these things were fulfilled in the New Testament. As well as how that through the fulfilment of the prophets words we are afforded our salvation through the blood of Jesus the Christ. Not by our works or by any rituals or payment for past lives or deeds. But by the complete and perfect sacrifice of Jesus the Christ; on the cross and through the depths of Hell, or Gehenna. And for this we should always be in awe of our Creators loving Grace. In our lives we should always praise God and show Him a great debt of gratitude for the boundless and cosmic payment that was paid to free us from our sins and the judgement of God. That in our understanding of the Lords journey to, and later His return from, Hell we are given an image of just how far our God will go to seek to call us home.

"But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive
your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life.For
the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in
Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 6:22-23

Prayer:

Blessed Lord,
Our source of our salvation,
Our reconciliation with God,
Our redeeming king.
We thank you in endless prayer.

Blessed Savour,
We seek to praise your name,
We kneel in subject humility,
As we acknowledge our king.

Blessed Lord,
Hear our songs of worship,
Hear our contrite words,
Accept our living sacrifice.

In your precious name,
Jesus the Christ.

Amen