Q
How did people get into heaven before Christ came and died for us? I understand salvation thru Jesus, but what about the time before Jesus?
A
No one could enter Heaven before Jesus went to the cross. But the promise of His coming can be seen throughout the Old Testament.
People in those times who died in faith of this coming redeemer went to a place called Paradise to wait in comfort for Jesus to come and pay for their sins (Luke 23:43).
Once Jesus had sprinkled his blood on the altar in Heaven, the way was opened, and when He ascended into Heaven He took them with Him. Since then the spirits of believers go directly to be with Him when they die.