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Jesus said to the thief, "Today you will be with me in paradise"
It isn't heaven. So what is it?

Good morning Brother David!

"Paradise" can have different meanings depending on the context and the portion of the Bible. In this context, it means absent from the body and present with the LORD!

The Garden of Eden was also known as "Paradise". Prior to the CROSS, it was a beautiful place where Saints awaited their resurrection and glorified Body. I'm not aware of any Bible context where "Paradise" is negative. The thief next to JESUS CHRIST died at the time of the CROSS, and CHRIST told him his spirit would be with HIM. The same is true for us in this day and age. We leave our corruptible bodies behind and go to be with JESUS. Again, you ask really good questions. This specific question is much more difficult than some would imagine because of the various meanings in different portions of the Bible. If you need more specifics, just let me know.

Love In Christ,
Tom

I think I understand.
My thinking was that, paradise is a place we can see. I am not sure, but I suppose it doesn't matter.

One of the instances in the Bible that speaks of paradise is in fact a paradise that we will see.

Rev 2:7  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

Good Morning Brother David and All!

We associate many things with our bodies - like seeing, feeling, hearing, etc. Being absent from the body and present with the LORD doesn't mean that we won't have senses. We know that we will have happiness and joy with JESUS, and we will be given a Glorified Body at HIS appointed time. We aren't given a large number of details in the Bible, but we do know there won't be any more pain or sorrow. We don't have any way of knowing right now, but our ways of sensing things could be MUCH greater than they are now. We certainly KNOW that our Hopes and Promises are not based on "nothingness" or void. We do know there will be great JOY, singing, praise, and worship.

We should also know there is more than one reason why GOD refers to our current flesh and blood bodies as corruptible. GOD has much better planned for us, and that's why we will leave these old bodies behind. Mine is broken and hurts, so I doubt that I'll miss it. In fact, I anxiously await the Promises of GOD. All Christians should reflect often on the Promises of GOD. We don't know everything about these Promises yet, but we've been given a glimpse in the HOLY BIBLE - and GOD'S PROMISES ARE BEAUTIFUL BEYOND HUMAN IMAGINATION!

Brother David, if we die today, there won't be anything to dread or fear. As Christians, we will be absent from the body and present with the LORD. Our Spirit is ALIVE in CHRIST! Some fear the thought that we won't have a body until GOD gives us a Glorified Body like the one CHRIST has. I don't fear this at all and know that GOD will take care of us as HIS Children. We are in HIS Mighty Hands, and we already trust HIM. Read one of my favorite portions of Scripture below and know that GOD Loves us and will care for us for ETERNITY!

Love In Christ,
Tom

Ephesians 1:18-23 NASB I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Paradise was where Jesus and all believers before His birth went after death. The believers were waiting for His coming. The rich man in hell mentioned in Luke 16 could see into Paradise. He spoke with Abraham there, and Abraham told him that there was a "great gulf fixed" so that none could pass from hell to Paradise or from Paradise to hell. Why would anyone WANT to go to hell--even for a visit if they could?

When Jesus was resurrected, all of those in Paradise were raised and went to heaven. Paradise no longer exists, and I'd be willing to bet that with so many rejecting Jesus Christ that hell has been enlarged into what was once paradise.

If it no longer exists after Christ's resurrection then please explain these verses which both are pertaining to after the resurrection. As Brother Tom has said it has a number of different meanings throughout scripture and does not necessarily pertain to the same thing.


2Co 12:4  How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.


Rev 2:7  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

I am hoping that Jon-Marc is only referring to one aspect of paradise...I did not comment because that is what I was hoping....I too believe that what is also called Abraham's Busom or Paradise by the OT Jews is no longer, that upon the resurrection of Jesus that was done away with.

Amen, I hope so also.