Scripture does not describe Jesus consciously journeying to a realm of the dead to preach between His crucifixion and resurrection. Passages sometimes read this way are better understood as describing His incarnation and burial, or His Spirit-empowered preaching through Noah generations earlier, consistent with death being an unconscious rest until the resurrection.
Ephesians 4:9 describes Christ 'descending into the lower parts of the earth,' language most naturally understood as referring to His incarnation and burial — coming down to our mortal, earthly existence and the grave — rather than a literal journey to a place of conscious punishment. First Peter 3:18-20's mention of Christ preaching 'to the spirits in prison' fits naturally with Peter's own explanation elsewhere that the Spirit of Christ was at work through Noah, 'a preacher of righteousness,' warning the disobedient people of his day who are now, from our present vantage point, spirits awaiting final judgment. On the cross, Jesus committed His spirit to the Father and later told the thief he would be with Him 'in paradise,' language pointing to the certainty of the promise rather than a same-day conscious meeting, consistent with death being described elsewhere in Scripture as a sleep until the resurrection.
The great controversy reveals God's character as Christ ministers as our High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary. The dead await the resurrection, Christ's return will be visible and personal, and prophecy calls believers to faithful mission rather than date-setting or fear.