Paradise by Doug Rickenback
First, a disclaimer, I am not a theologian, nor do I profess to
understand all the intricacies of Greek or Hebrew. I am, as C.S. Lewis
would say a "mere" Christian, able to use standard reference works and
willing to appreciate and study both God's Holy Word and the research
and labor of those saints further along the road than myself. I
dedicate this work to our beloved Lord and Saviour, Jesus, and pray
that He will bless the reader with enlightenment and wisdom by His Holy
Spirit.
To begin, Paradise, mentioned specifically in Luke 23:43; II Cor
12:4; and Rev 2:7 is best understood as both:
1). One side or portion of the Greek Hades or Hebrew Sheol:
"The Hades of the pagan Greeks was the invisible land, the realm of
shadow, where all Greeks went, the virtuous, to that part called
Elysium, [our paradise] the wicked to the other part called Tartarus.
The difference between the pagan and Biblical conceptions of Hades is
that the former conceives of Hades as the final abode of the dead,
whereas the latter teaches that it is the temporary place of
confinement until the Great White Throne Judgement in the case of the
wicked dead, and until the resurrection of Christ, in the case of the
righteous dead, the latter since that event going at once to heaven at
death (Phil 1:23). As the pagan conception of Hades included two parts,
so the Biblical idea divided it into two parts, the one called Paradise
(Luke 23:43), or Abraham's bosom (Luke 16:22), for the righteous dead,
and the other part for the wicked dead....." Treasures From the Greek
New Testament Kenneth S. Wuest p.45
"The pleasant abode of the righteous dead was called Paradise (Luke
23:43; II Cor 12:4; Rev 2:7)- originally a Persian word for a
nobleman's park or garden; the term contains a reference to the Garden
of Eden...." A Theological Word Book of the Bible Alan Richardson p.107
2) The final abode of the righteous, Heaven. This is the common or
easily grasped understanding.
The apparent reason for the problem, is a misunderstanding of both
the nature and location of Paradise. It's location has changed since
the Old Testament. It was altered when Jesus entered Hell after His
crucifixion. The reason? God cannot allow sin in His presence, and
those righteous saints of the Old Testament who died in faith could not
enter Heaven until the "promise" came. Jesus, the promised "lamb of
God" was God's REAL sacrifice for the sins of the world past, present,
and future. The sacrifices of the Old Testament were merely temporary
coverings for sin.(Heb 8:6-13; 9:6-15; 10:1-10)
Thus, after Jesus' sacrificial death, He went to Hades to "free" the
captives. Those like Lazarus, (Luk 16:19-31) who were waiting for the
"righteousness" of God to be given to them. Meanwhile, the unrighteous
suffered in torment in another area or part of Hades, out of reach,
across a "gulf" of some sort.
Math 12:40 "..so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights
in the heart of the earth."
John 5:24-29 "..the hour is coming in which all who are in the
graves will hear His voice..."
Eph 4:8-10 "When He ascended on high He led captivity captive....He
also first descended into the lower parts of the earth..."
1 Pet 3:19 "by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in
prison.."
1 Pet 4:6 "For this reason the Gospel was preached also to those who
are dead..."
Paradise used to be a part of Hades, Jesus went there and "freed"
those "believers" held awaiting His death. The place is now empty, and
no-one goes there since "Paradise" went with Jesus to be with God. That
is why Paul spoke of being "caught-up" into Paradise. (II Cor 12:3,4)
So you see, at death the spirit departs from the body, if Christian
it goes to Paradise to be with the Lord, if not, to torment in Hades.
Before Jesus' death everyone went to Hades whether "good" or "evil".
The good, went to the part known as Paradise which existed there until
He died, the evil to the part which was a place of torment.
Jesus on the cross, was asked "Lord, remember me "WHEN" you come
into your kingdom." He replied, ".."TODAY" you will be with me in
"Paradise." The thief was concerned with WHEN and Jesus answered with
the comforting assurance that his pain would be soon forgotten.
Paul, weary, of his many trials spoke of his desire to "depart" and
be with the Lord in Phil 1:23 and later in 2 Cor 5:8 he mentioned that
to be "absent" from the body is to be present with the Lord. It was
clearly his understanding that at death the soul or spirit leaves the
body to be with the Lord, not that it "ceases to exist" or goes into
"soul sleep". In fact both Old and New Testaments bear witness to this
truth:
1 Kings 17:21 "..let this child's soul come back to him"
1 Sam 28:8-15 "..And the woman said to Saul, I saw a spirit
ascending out of the earth....and Saul perceived that it was
Samuel...Samuel said to Saul, Why have you disturbed me by bringing me
up?"
Luk 8:55 "Then her spirit returned and she arose"
Luk 9:28-32 Moses and Elijah appeared (though dead) (Mount of
transfiguration)
Jn 19:30 "And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit"
Acts 7:59 "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit"
2 Cor 12:3 "whether in the body or out of the body I do not know,
God knows-" (Paul's vision)
James 2:26 "So as the body without the spirit is dead,"
2 Pet 1:14 "knowing that shortly I must put off my tent,[body] just
as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me."
This study was an attempt to examine the historical Christian and
Biblical position regarding Paradise. Especially in light of challenges
by some groups that the soul or spirit of a man enters "soul sleep" at
death. They believe that God resurrects only the select few that are to
be with Him or to receive Eternal life, and the rest of mankind is
annihilated or simply ceases to exist. This idea simply is not taught
in the Bible. Unfortunately, it seems they are victims of what Paul
mentioned in Romans 10:2 "I bear them witness that they have a zeal for
God, but not according to knowledge."
It seems quite clear to me, that life continues after death, but, in
a "spiritual" realm or dimension. I haven't been there (yet), but, it
is obvious that the Lord and those closest to Him who saw and
experienced it in one way or another (Samuel, Steven, Peter, Paul,
John, and James) believed and taught about it in the same manner as the
Christian church has for centuries. It is not only unbiblical, but,
unfortunate to see good, sincere people chase after "new" and
"improved" versions of the truth.
Questions & comments welcome Doug Rickenback
../ |