WHERE IS PARADISE?

Have you ever noticed that the idea of a Paradise, is tossed around by travel commercials, false religions, and even among Christians, although they frequently are parroting what they heard from some preacher offering "pie in the sky" theology?  One need only to own a television to observe this.  However, if you asked a preacher to tell you the biblical definition of the word, their answers seldom actually quote Scripture.  Some say the Garden of Eden was once paradise, and a very famous author wrote a book entitled Paradise Lost.  So with all the talk, what exactly does the Bible say concerning Paradise? 


The word does not appear in the Old Testament.  Hard to believe?  Well look it up!  It does appear in just three verses in the New Testament; they are:


*  Luke 23:43 - "And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with Me in paradise." [Note that Jesus said "Today."  And yet, He did not rise from the dead for three days and three nights (Mt. 12:40),  His Ascension didn't occur until forty days after that (Acts 1:3)!  Therefore, based upon these factors, the most likely explanation is that at that time, Paradise was also known as "Abraham's bosom" of Luke 16:19-31.  When Jesus rose from the dead, He is said to have "led captivity captive (Ps. 68:18; Eph. 4:8).  Now, Paradise is wherever Jesus is:  in heaven (2 Cor. 5:6-8)].


*  2 Corinthians 12:2-4 - The Apostle Paul wrote:  "I 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 knows); such an one caught up to the third heaven.  And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knows);  How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter." [Note that by the time Paul had been saved for fourteen years, Paradise was said to be in "third heaven."  Our atmosphere is "the first heaven" which was created in Genesis 1:6-8; outer space is said to be "the second heaven" which was created in Genesis 1:1; and the "third heaven" is where God sits upon His throne.  His throne "room" existed prior to Genesis 1:1].


*  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."  [Note that this reference speaks of the location of the tree of life.  According to Revelation 22:2, it will be in the New Jerusalem].


Paradise is not only where the Father and His only begotten Son are at present, it is a place of holiness, a place of total righteousness, a place where there is not sin!  Do you honestly believe any of those descriptions are true of "island paradises?"  Remember, those who tell you their cruise went to paradise, are implying that it is as perfect as the Garden of Eden; with Adam's fall, this world became a hostile, imperfect, corrupted place (Rom. 8:18-23)!

DON'T SET YOUR SIGHTS TOO LOW; SHOOT FOR THE PRESENCE OF GOD!