Paradise, What is it and where is it

Paradise

What is it and where is it?

Paradise is the temporary holding place for the Spirits of believers until they are reunited with their Resurrected Glorified body  The original location of Paradise was in the heart of the earth and called Abraham’s bosom (Luke 16:22a)KJV “And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom:”  This is where Jesus’ Spirit visited  after His death (Eph. 4:9)  and He took the thief on the right with Him. (Luke 23:43)  When Jesus was resurrected He took the Souls that were there and transferred them to a new location in Heaven. (Eph. 4:8&10)  Paul was allowed to see this place but was forbidden to tell us about it. (II Cor. 12:3-4)KJV) “And I knew such a man, whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;

  How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.”
  This is where all souls of believers are under the altar of God in Heaven waiting to receive their Glorified bodies and their final reward. (Rev. 6:9-11)KJV “And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:

  And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

  And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.”    It’s going to be worth the wait (I Cor. 2:9)KJV “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”

Confusion:

 There is a passage in (I Peter 3:*18-20) that has caused some confusion and mis-understanding that Jesus went to Hell and suffered for us.  (Luke 16:19-26) makes it very clear that both hell and paradise(Abraham’s bosom) were in the heart of the earth at the time of Jesus’ death. Those on one side could see and  communicate

with those on the other side but could not pass over. (Lk. 16:26)  Jesus went to Paradise after He had finished His suffering on the cross and preached across the gulf to the ones in Hell and let them know that they were there because they chose to not  listen to the

Prophets of old.(Luke 16:29-31)  This is where they would remain until they were cast into the Lake of fire for their final abode (Rev.20:10-15) KJV “ And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

  And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

  And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire”.

NOTE:  The Apostle’s Creed (which of Roman Catholic origin  is in error in it’s statement that; Jesus descended into hell  and suffered for us.

* The KJV is the only version that uses suffered in vs. 18 all others say died

Conclusion:

Jesus Did Not go into Hell and suffer there for us.

The only suffering He did for us was on The Gross.  When He said “It is finished” That is exactly what He meant.  There was nothing else that needed to be done to Atone for the sins of man.

Rev. George Pryor Th.M.

 Pastor Emeritus.

revgap@gmail.com