Understanding the Concept of Paradise and Immortality in Biblical Context

The Thief on the Cross And he was saying, Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom! 43 And He said to him, Truly (Amen) I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise. Lk. 23:42-43 What did Jesus mean by these words? What do we understand from them? They did not leave the cross that day. Jesus was dead within three hours and the thief soon after they broke his legs.

The Continuation of a Theme the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 2 Tim. 1:9-11 'If anyone keeps My word he shall never taste death. John 8:52 Rich man and Lazarus Lk 16 He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" John 11:25-26

Death is a Journey Those who continue to live see death. Just like those who take us to the airport see us leave. They come home to empty house. But the person at the airport is experiencing all types of new things and seeing people and places never seen before. When Jesus said today you will be with me in paradise. He was continuing to abolish death and bring life and immortality to life. So the person who dies journeys to paradise.

Paul also went to Paradise It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows In the body alive and in a vision Out of the body dead and actually experiencing? Fourteen years ago puts us very close to: they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. Acts 14:19-20 An inference but not a necessary inference If Paul was actually dead out of the body.

Paul also went to Paradise It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows such a one was caught up to the third heaven.

Third Heaven? 1stheaven atmosphere where birds fly and clouds form 2nd heaven Sun moon and stars (outer space)

3rdHeaven "But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this temple which I have built! 1Kings 8:27-28 And may You hear the supplication of Your servant and of Your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. Hear in heaven Your dwelling place; and when You hear, forgive. 1Kings 8:30

Paul also went to Paradise It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows such a one was caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I know such a man whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows 4 how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 2 Cor 12:1-4 Paradise is not in this creation! It is in the third heaven where God dwells

Paradise is in Hades Jesus went to paradise with the thief but Peter quoted David s prophecy: he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption Acts 2:31-32 Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who gave it. Eccl 12:7 Yet in this case, the dust did not return to dust. The soul returned from Hades (paradise) to the body so it saw no corruption.

Life & Immortality brought into the Light So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom now he is comforted The rich man also died and was buried. being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw. I am tormented in this flame.' and you are tormented between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us. Luke 16:19 Once again, Death is only a journey

Hades g u l f Paradise Torments

What is it like in Paradise? Jesus often quoted from the Greek translation In the Greek Septuagint, the word paradise is used of the garden of Eden, possible it was patterned after it. Since Hades will be cast into the lake of fire, it was only a temporary place (Rev. 20:14-15) After Adam sinned death entered the world. After death, God needed a place to put the souls that returned to God who gave it Ecc. 12:7 He created it with two partitions. One patterned after paradise the other 2Pet 2:4

What is it Like in Paradise? I will come to visions and revelations: fourteen years ago whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows caught up to the third heaven. whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 2Cor 12:1-5

Not Lawful, but still expressed feelings For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard- pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Phil 1:21-24 Paul couldn t tell us what he saw, but he was allowed to tell us how it affected his view of death. To die is Gain To die is very far better

The Transfiguration As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening. 30 And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Luke 9:29-32 Two Men Appeared Still called men! Moses(Born 1738 BC) Elijah (Born 900 bc)

The Transfiguration Two Men Appeared Still called men! Moses(Born 1738 BC) Elijah (Born 900 BC) Sent back from Paradise together to talk with Jesus Appeared in Glory Spoke of His decease in Jerusalem. There was no Jerusalem when Moses died. About 800 years separated them but now together. It appears we continue to serve and to learn.

Death is a Journey We have only seen the dark side of the door. Those who die actually go through the door. We weep and cry at our loss But if they are Christians, they have gained To die is gain and very far better! 'If anyone keeps My word he shall never taste death. John 8:52 He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" John 11:25-26

If All is working Properly Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal 2 Cor 4:16-18