Aug 20 - Heaven & Paradise - part 1

Heaven & Paradise   Paradise   Luke 23:42-43 42Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.[f]" 43Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." In this context, paradise would mean heaven. Those who are repentant and believe in him have a place in heaven after death.   2 Cor 12:2-4 2I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. 3And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— 4was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell. What is the difference between "third heaven" and "paradise"?  What is the meaning of third heaven?   2 Cor 12:2-4  (NKJV) 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 12:2-4  (KJV) 2I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.  3And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)  4How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Checked 2 more bible versions.  Also used the terms "third heaven" and "paradise" respectively.   Rev 2:7 7He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.   Rev 2:7  (NKJV) 7 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God."   Rev 2:7  (KJV) 7He 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. In this context, I think paradise means heaven.   Gen 2:8-9 8 Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. 9 And the LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Tree of life (as in Rev 2:7) is in the midst of garden of Eden. What is the relation between Paradise and the garden of Eden (since both have the tree of life in midst of it)??   Even while dying on the cross, Jesus extends grace to one of the other men being crucified with him--in this case, a thief who put his trust in Jesus in the final moments of his life. This passage is one of many from which Christians derive their understanding of heaven.  (Luke 23:39-43)  So, in other words, paradise means heaven.   Rich Man, Poor Man Jesus tells about a rich man and a poor man, Lazarus. Lazarus dies and goes to Paradise. The rich man dies and goes to hell. The rich man sees Abraham and Lazarus and asks for help, but it cannot be given. The rich man asks for someone to go and warn his brothers. He is told they will not believe. (Luke 16:19-31) Lazarus went to Paradise after his death.  Lazarus was together with Abraham.  If Abraham is in heaven, that would mean Paradise and Heaven is the same place with different name. Is Paradise a place (a garden?) in Heaven?   Heaven   Matthew 8:11 11I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. Yes, confirmed. Abraham is currently in heaven, together with Isaac and Jacob. Kingdom of heaven is another terminology for heaven.   Luke 13:28-29 28"There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out. 29People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and all the prophets (of Old Testament era) are currently in kingdom of God. So, kingdom of God is also another terminology for heaven.