Bible Questions and Answers

What is paradise in Luke 23:43, 2 Corinthians 12:4 and Revelation 2:7?

• Luke 23:43 And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you today, you will be with Me in Paradise."
• 2 Corinthians 12:2-4 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.
• Revelation 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.

Paradise describes the kingdom of God which will be established on the earth, initially for a 1000-year reign over the mortal population of the earth and complete following the second resurrection and final judgment.

In Luke 23:43 the comma should follow ‘today’ rather than precede it (there is no punctation in the Greek). That 'day' Jesus was placed in the tomb where he stayed until the third day. The man had asked to be remembered when Christ came into his kingdom. Jesus gave him the assurance that day that he would be in his kingdom. The paradise of the kingdom of God is still in the future.

In 2 Corinthians 12, paradise is equated with the ‘third heaven’. The ‘third heaven’ is also descriptive of the kingdom of God. This we understand from Peter.

2 Peter 3:3-13 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation." 5 For this they wilfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

In scripture ‘heaven’ is used to describe the Rulers and ‘earth’ the people who are ruled.

• The first heaven and earth describes the period from creation to the flood.
• The second heaven and earth go from the flood to the return of Christ.
• The third heaven and earth begin with Christ’s return and last forever.

Paul was caught away (not ‘up’) into the future rather than into space. He was given a vision of the future ‘third heaven’ aka ‘paradise’ - the kingdom of God, similar to Jesus’ transfiguration on the mount where he met with a glorified Moses and Elijah.

Revelation 2:7 describes in symbolic terms the giving of eternal life (eating of the tree of life) – in the kingdom of God - ‘the midst of the paradise of God’.

The kingdom of God, the kingdom of heaven, paradise, the third heaven, are all descriptive of the fulfilment of God’s purpose with the earth.

• The earth is to be inhabited forever. Isaiah 45:18
• The earth is be filled with God’s glory. Numbers 14:21

God’s glory will be in the form of men and women, made originally in God’s image, who will be rewarded with the divine nature. In whom and with whom God will live forever upon the earth. This future time is described in Revelation 21:1-4. This will be the promised 'paradise'.

I hope you find this helpful.

God bless,
Glenn