Before Christ, did anyone go to Heaven

I recently read an article by a Southern evangelist who stated that when Jesus died on the
Cross, that he went "down" into Paradise, which was a part of Hell. He also wrote that Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David and all of the other Old Testament Saints were kept there  against their will, captives of Satan, although he could't harm them. He sites the scripture as Luke 16:25. He claims that this Paradise is also referred to as Abraham's Bosom (Luke 16:23).  He claims that this Paradise was a part of Hell, and Jesus did go there, but it was not the burning pit. He then goes on the say that Jesus captured these righteous souls from Satan and lead them captive to Heaven when he ascended on high thus fulfilling Psalms. 68:18. Prior to this, all souls went to Hades when they died along with the souls of the wicked who went to another compartment of that same place, who had a great gulf between them separating the two.  (Luke 16:19-31)

What is everyone's input on this, will someone please clarify this? I am finding it hard to believe.