I always took this as twofold: 1. they were ‘saints’ - i.e., saved by the same forward-looking Faith that the Bible says Abraham was saved by - and 2. therefore it’s to me an action by God, in His supernatural way, fulfilling Ezekiel’s prophecy but doing it with the benefit of comforting those of Jesus’ disciples that were mourning - to let them know that these things must come about as the prophets of old had spoken about. That Jesus would die for the sins of the world but be raised again and break the power of Sin and Death.
I also consider the verses that said Jesus, when he died, descended to the depths of Hell and raised captivity captive, i.e., those saints waiting for the Resurrection. Just a thought.
**descended to the depths of Hell and raised captivity captive, i.e., those saints waiting for the Resurrection. Just a thought.**
This is the Paradise of which Christ speaks to the Good Thief. “Today you will be with me in Paradise.”
Christ was the first person into heaven at the Ascension — so Paradise does not mean heaven. Many make this mistake.