MY THEORY ON PARADISE!

THE LOCATION OF THE SOULS OF THE DEAD

PRIOR TO CHRIST'S RESURRECTION!

Luke 16:19-31 - There was a certain (a specific) rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously (lived splendidly) every day:  and there was a certain (a specific) beggar named Lazarus, who was laid at his gate (who was placed at the rich man's gate), full of sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table:  moreover (in addition, he was comforted by) the dogs (which) came and licked his sores.  And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels unto Abraham's bosom (Abraham's embrace; Paradise):  the rich man also died, and was buried; and in hell, he lift up his eyes, being in torment, and he saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom (Abraham's embrace; Paradise).  And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.  But Abraham said, Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and likewise Lazarus (received) evil things:  but now he is comforted, and you are tormented.  And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed (established): so that those who would (desire to) pass from here to you cannot; neither can they (anyone) pass to us, that would come from there.  Then he said, I beg you therefore, father (Abraham), that you would send him to my father's house:  for I have five brethren; that he may testify unto (warn) them, lest they also come (so they also will not come) into this place of torment.  Abraham said unto him, They have (the writings of) Moses and the prophets; let them hear (be warned by) them.  And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.  And he said unto him, If they hear not (ignore the warnings of) Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. 

THE LORD'S PROMISE TO THE

PENITENT THIEF ON THE CROSS!

Luke 23:42-43 - And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.  And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto you, Today you shall be with Me in paradise (Abraham's bosom; Abraham's embrace). 

AFTER JESUS ROSE FROM THE DEAD, HE

LED THOSE HELD IN PARADISE, TO HEAVEN!

Matthew 27:50-53 - Jesus, when He had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.  And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain (torn in two) from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent (broke apart); and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept (who had died) arose, and came out of the graves after His resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

2 Corinthians 12:2-4 - 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 a one (was) caught up to the third heaven (God's throne room).  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.

Ephesians 4:8 - Wherefore He said, When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive (the departed saints in Abraham's bosom; Paradise), and gave gifts unto men.

Revelation 2:7 - He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches; To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

Revelation 22:1-2 - And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.  In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month:  and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

THE KEY TO PARADISE IS 

FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST!