Where Are the Old Testament Saints Today? Paradise or Heaven?

One question that occasionally comes up is this:

Where are Abraham, Moses, David, and the other Old Testament believers today? Are they still in Paradise (often called Abraham's Bosom), or are they now in heaven with Jesus?

The Bible does not answer this question with a single verse. Instead, we must carefully compare several passages of Scripture. While faithful Christians have held different views, I believe the evidence points to the conclusion that the Old Testament saints are now in heaven with Christ.

A Place of Waiting Before the Cross

Jesus gives us our clearest picture of the intermediate state before His crucifixion in Luke 16:19–31. There we read of the rich man and Lazarus. After death, Lazarus is carried to "Abraham's bosom," while the rich man is in torment. The two are separated by a great chasm.

Abraham's Bosom appears to have been a place of comfort for the righteous dead—a place of rest while they awaited the completion of God's redemptive plan.

This makes sense because, although Old Testament believers were saved by faith, their sins had not yet been fully atoned for by Christ's sacrifice. Hebrews 10:4 reminds us that "it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins." The Old Testament sacrifices pointed forward to the coming Messiah, whose death would finally accomplish redemption.

Jesus and Paradise

When Jesus spoke to the repentant thief on the cross, He said,

"Today you will be with Me in Paradise." (Luke 23:43)

Interestingly, Jesus did not say "heaven." Furthermore, after His resurrection He told Mary Magdalene,

"I have not yet ascended to the Father." (John 20:17)

Some understand these passages to suggest that Paradise was a place distinct from heaven prior to Christ's ascension. Others believe Paradise was simply another name for heaven. Scripture does not settle the matter directly, but these verses raise an important question worth considering.

Christ's Victory Changed Everything

Several New Testament passages seem to indicate that Christ's death and resurrection changed the situation for the righteous dead.

Paul writes in Ephesians 4:8,

"When He ascended on high He led captivity captive."

While scholars differ on the meaning of this phrase, many throughout church history have understood it to refer to Christ bringing the righteous who had awaited redemption into the fullness of God's presence.

Likewise, Hebrews 11 concludes its great "Hall of Faith" by saying that the Old Testament saints "did not receive what was promised," because God had planned "something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect" (Hebrews 11:39–40). Their faith saved them, but the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan awaited the cross.

Where Do Believers Go Now?

After Christ's resurrection, the New Testament consistently teaches that believers who die are immediately with Christ.

Paul writes,

"To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." (2 Corinthians 5:8)

He also says,

"My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better." (Philippians 1:23)

Notice that Paul never describes believers as waiting in Abraham's Bosom or Paradise. Instead, the believer's hope is immediate fellowship with Christ.

Hebrews 12:22–24 also describes believers coming to the heavenly Jerusalem, where they join "the spirits of the righteous made perfect." This beautiful picture strongly suggests that the redeemed are now gathered in God's heavenly presence.

So Where Are the Old Testament Saints Today?

While the Bible never explicitly says that Paradise was emptied, I believe the strongest reading of Scripture is this:

Before Christ's death, the righteous dead rested in Paradise, awaiting the completion of God's plan of redemption.

After Christ's victorious death, resurrection, and ascension, those believers entered heaven and now enjoy the presence of the Lord just as New Testament believers do today.

In other words, Abraham, Moses, David, Isaiah, Ruth, and every Old Testament believer who trusted in God's promises are now with Jesus.

A Word of Humility

Because Scripture does not directly answer every detail about the intermediate state, Christians should hold this conclusion with humility. Good Bible-believing scholars disagree over whether Paradise was a temporary place of waiting or simply another name for heaven.

What is beyond dispute, however, is the wonderful hope shared by every believer.

Because Jesus conquered sin and death, all who trust in Him will one day be with Him forever.

As Jesus promised,

"I go to prepare a place for you... I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also." (John 14:2–3)

That is the blessed hope of every child of God—whether they lived before the cross or after it.