As we have seen, David was convinced that he was not going to be left in hades. We usually don’t ask what that means. Where are the righteous dead, like David, if they were not going to be left in hades? When Jesus went into hades and took back the keys, he also emptied Abraham’s Bay, the compartment separated by a chasm from hell itself. He took the righteous dead someplace else, but not heaven. We have been mistakenly taught that our departed righteous are in heaven, but as we know, no humans are in heaven just yet. What we learn in studying this is that there are Masoretic alterations that tried to obscure what Jesus did because they reject Jesus as Messiah. Paul gives us some interesting clues as to where the righteous dead are and we will learn that this is not a new place but an old place, a place where the adam was taken, and then sent away from. We see this word paradise having a negative connotation today due to the distortions other religions have placed on this word. Nevertheless, the Bible itself identifies paradise, its present location, and who is there.
David knew his soul would not stay in hades.
Psa 30:3 O Lord, thou hast brought up my soul from Hades, thou hast delivered me from among them that go down to the pit.
Psa 49:15 But God shall deliver my soul from the power of Hades, when he shall receive me. Pause.
Peter cited David in his speech on Pentecost, but he also tells us something we may not have understood.
Act 2:25 For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:
Act 2:26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:
Act 2:27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
Act 2:28 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.
Act 2:29 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.
Act 2:30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;
Act 2:31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.
Act 2:32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
Act 2:33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
Act 2:34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
Act 2:35 Until I make thy foes thy footstool.
Act 2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
David is not ascended into the heavens. So where is David? If he is not in hades, and he is not in heaven where Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father, then where is David’s soul? Solomon tells us that the soul of the righteous are in the hand of God and they have immortality.
Wis 3:1 But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them.
Wis 3:2 In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure is taken for misery,
Wis 3:3 And their going from us to be utter destruction: but they are in peace.
Wis 3:4 For though they be punished in the sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality.
Wis 3:5 And having been a little chastised, they shall be greatly rewarded: for God proved them, and found them worthy for himself.
The souls of the righteous dead are in the hands of the Elohim even though they are not in the upper heavens and not in hades. Paul helps us understand where the righteous dead are. Think about people who have reported their death, and return to life, experiences. What things have they said? If we remember, Paul was stoned and left for dead outside of the city of Lystra, but the disciples stood around him, probably praying, and Paul came back to life and went back into the city. As Paul says, whether in the body or out of the body he doesn’t know, but he does know that he was seized, harpazo’d, snatched by force.
2 Corinthians 12: 2 G1492 I know G444 a man G1722 in G5547 Christ G4253 [3ago G2094 2years G1180 1fourteen], G1535 (whether G1722 in G4983 body, G3756 I do not G1492 know; G1535 or whether G1623 outside G3588 the G4983 body, G3756 I do not G1492 know, G3588 G2316 God G1492 knows) G726 being seized by force G3588 G5108 was such a one G2193 unto G5154 the third G3772 heaven.
3 G2532 And G1492 I know G3588 G5108 such G444 a man, G1535 (whether G1722 in G4983 the body, G1535 or whether G1623 outside G3588 the G4983 body, G3756 I do not G1492 know, G3588 G2316 God G1492 knows),
4 G3754 that G726 he was seized by force G1519 into G3588 G3857 paradise, G2532 and G191 heard G731 [2not made known G4487 1sayings], G3739 which G3756 is not allowed G1832 G444 for a man G2980 to speak.
3857 LSJ Gloss:παράδεισος a park
Dodson:παράδεισος Paradise.
Thayer:
1) among the Persians a grand enclosure or preserve, hunting ground, park, shady and well watered, in which wild animals, were kept for the hunt; it was enclosed by walls and furnished with towers for the hunters
2) a garden, pleasure ground
2a) grove, park
3) the part of Hades which was thought by the later Jews to be the abode of the souls of pious until the resurrection: but some understand this to be a heavenly paradise
4) the upper regions of the heavens. According to the early church Fathers, the paradise in which our first parents dwelt before the fall still exists, neither on the earth or in the heavens, but above and beyond the world
5) heaven
παράδεισος
paradeisos par-ad'-i-sos Of Oriental origin (compare [H6508]); a park, that is, (specifically) an Eden (place of future happiness, “paradise”) KJV Usage: paradise.
Paul was seized by force into the third heaven, seized by force into paradise. Why was Paul seized into paradise? He was left for dead, which means he probably died. He heard and saw things that he was not allowed to share. But the clue that he wrote for us is that the third heaven is paradise.
Paradeisos is used 31 times in the Greek, however the Masoretes only use this word 3 times as “paradise”. They chose to substitute the word Eden, which is a proper name, or also use the word garden. This is another example of the blurring of the scriptures to fit the Masoretic narrative. In their attempt to differentiate themselves from early Christian understanding, they once again have sentenced their followers to hades rather than paradise.
David is not in the heavens where Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father. Peter made that distinction using context. Where is the place that Jesus sits next to the Father? We see it in Revelation 5, the place of the throne where all the heavenly sons of God are gathered and are waiting for someone who is worthy to open the scroll. This is the time when we see the saints show up in heaven and sing a new song about their redemption. As we have studied, we know that there was no one in heaven, on the earth, or under the earth, who was worthy. Where then was Jesus at this time? Jesus was calling the saints from the clouds above the earth.
Enoch was the one who explained the different places of heaven. Enoch numbered these places so that we would understand. This place called paradise is tended to by three hundred angels. The tree of life is in paradise.
Secrets of Enoch VIII.
Of the assumption of Enoch to the third heaven.
AND those men took me thence, and led me up on to the third heaven, and placed me there; and I looked downwards, and san the produce of these places, such as has never been known for goodness.
2 And I saw all the sweet-flowering trees and beheld their fruits, which were sweet-smelling, and all the foods borne by them bubbling with fragrant exhalation.
3 And in the midst of the trees that of life, in that place whereon the Lord rests, when he goes up into paradise; and this tree is of ineffable goodness and fragrance, and adorned more than every existing thing; and on all sides it is in form gold-looking and vermilion and fire-like and covers all, and it has produce from all fruits.
4 Its root is in the garden at the earth's end.
5 And paradise is between corruptibility and incorruptibility.
6 And two springs come out which send forth honey and milk, and their springs send forth oil and wine, and they separate into four parts, and go round with quiet course, and go down into the PARADISE OF EDEN, between corruptibility and in corruptibility.
7 And thence they go forth along the earth, and have a revolution to their circle even as other elements.
8 And here there is no unfruitful tree, and every place is blessed.
9 And there are three hundred angels very bright, who keep the garden, and with incessant sweet singing and never-silent voices serve the Lord throughout all days and hours.
10 And I said: 'How very sweet is this place,' and those men said to me:
Secrets of Enoch IX.
The showing to Enoch of the place of the righteous and compassionate.
THIS place, O Enoch, is prepared for the righteous, who endure all manner of offence from those that exasperate their souls, who avert their eyes from iniquity, and make righteous judgement, and give bread to the hungering, and cover the naked with clothing, and raise up the fallen, and help injured orphans, and who walk without fault before the face of the Lord, and serve him alone, and for them is prepared this place for eternal inheritance. https://www.sacred-texts.com/bib/fbe/fbe125.htm
Enoch was the one who told us that paradise was the third heaven, and Paul corroborates that understanding. Remember, Enoch’s writings were well known by the people of the first century. While Paul probably didn’t see all the levels of heaven, he recognized paradise as the third heaven. Ezra tells us a bit about paradise and the adam. Thirteen years into the captivity of the southern kingdom in Babylon, Ezra started speaking to Yahweh about when Yahweh planted the earth. Technically, Ezra was prophesying about the beginning of the time of the adam.
2Es 3:1 In the thirtieth year after the ruin of the city I was in Babylon, and lay troubled upon my bed, and my thoughts came up over my heart:
2Es 3:2 For I saw the desolation of Sion, and the wealth of them that dwelt at Babylon.
2Es 3:3 And my spirit was sore moved, so that I began to speak words full of fear to the most High, and said,
2Es 3:4 O Lord, who bearest rule, thou spakest at the beginning, when thou didst plant the earth, and that thyself alone, and commandedst the people,
2Es 3:5 And gavest a body unto Adam without soul, which was the workmanship of thine hands, and didst breathe into him the breath of life, and he was made living before thee.
2Es 3:6 And thou leadest him into paradise, which thy right hand had planted, before ever the earth came forward.
2Es 3:7 And unto him thou gavest commandment to love thy way: which he transgressed, and immediately thou appointedst death in him and in his generations, of whom came nations, tribes, people, and kindreds, out of number.
Yahweh made the adam’s body without a soul, then breathed into the adam, and led him into paradise. Paradise was planted before the earth came forward. What does that mean? It means that paradise was in existence before the earth was reformed. Paradise was not affected when the earth became formless, void, and dark. The adam was commanded to love His ways, but he transgressed and death was appointed to humanity. Notice Genesis.
Genesis 2:7 G2532 And G4111 God shaped G3588 G2316 G3588 the G444 man, G5522 [2dust G2983 1taking] G575 from G3588 the G1093 earth. G2532 And G1720 he breathed G1519 into G3588 G4383 his face G1473 G4157 breath G2222 of life, G2532 and G1096 [2became G3588 G444 1man] G1519 a G5590 [2soul G2198 1living].
8 G2532 And G5452 God planted G3588 G2316 G3857 paradise G1722 in G* Eden G2596 according to G395 the east, G2532 and G5087 he put G1563 there G3588 the G444 man G3739 whom G4111 he shaped.
The Elohim put the adam in the paradise in Eden. The adam was to work it and guard it.
Genesis 2:15 G2532 And G2983 [3took G2962 1 the lord G3588 G2316 2God] G3588 the G444 man G3739 whom G4111 he shaped, G2532 and G5087 put G1473 him G1722 in G3588 the G3857 paradise G2038 to work G1473 it G2532 and G5442 to guard.
Who was the adam guarding the paradise from? Think that through. The animals were all getting along, there were no animals eating other animals. There was no bloodshed and no death in paradise. The adam was to guard the paradise from those who were corrupt, the fallen sons of God. Once the adam and Eve were tricked, they heard the voice of Yahweh Elohim walking in the paradise.
Genesis 3:8 G2532 And G191 they heard G3588 the G5456 voice G2962 of the lord G3588 G2316 God G4043 walking G1722 in G3588 the G3857 paradise G3588 G1168.1 at dusk. G2532 And G2928 [5hid G3739 G5037 1both G* 2Adam G2532 3and G3588 G1135 4his wife] G1473 G575 from G4383 the face G2962 of the lord G3588 G2316 God G1722 in G3319 the midst G3588 of the G3586 tree G3588 of the G3857 paradise.
Yahweh ejected the adam and Eve from paradise.
Genesis 3:23 G2532 that G1821 [3ejected G1473 4him G2962 1 the lord G3588 G2316 2God] G1537 from G3588 the G3857 paradise G3588 of the G5172 delicacy, G2038 to work G3588 the G1093 earth G1537 from G3739 which G2983 he was taken.
24 G2532 And G1544 he cast out G3588 G* Adam, G2532 and G2733.1 settled G1473 him G561 before G3588 the G3857 paradise G3588 of the G5172 delicacy, G2532 and G5021 ordered G3588 the G5502 cherubim, G2532 and G3588 the G5394.1 flaming G4501 [2broadsword G3588 G4762 1turning], G5442 to guard G3588 the G3598 way G3588 of the G3586 tree G3588 G2222 of life.
Yahweh ordered the cherubim to guard the way of the tree of life. Who else was in paradise at one time? Ezekiel tells us.
Ezekiel 28:3 G1722 [2in G3588 3the G5172 4luxury G3588 G3857 5of the paradise G3588 G2316 6of God G1096 1You were]; G3956 [2every G3037 4stone G5543 3precious G1735.1 1you bound on] -- G4556 sardius, G2532 and G5116 topaz, G2532 and G4665 emerald, G2532 and G440 carbuncle, G2532 and G4552 sapphire, G2532 and G2393 jasper, G2532 and G694 silver, G2532 and G5553 gold, G2532 and G3033.1 amber, G2532 and G884.1 agate, G2532 and G271 amethyst, G2532 and G5555 chrysolite, G2532 and G969 beryl, G2532 and G3689.3 onyx. G2532 And G5553 with gold G1705 you filled up G3588 G2344 your treasuries G1473 G2532 and G3588 G596 your storehouses G1473 G1722 among G1473 you.
14 G575 From G3739 which day G2250 G2936 you were created G2532 and G2680 were carefully prepared G3326 with G3588 the G5501.4 cherub G5548 being anointed G3844 by G2316 God, G2532 and G3588 G2681 encamping G1722 in G4638 the tent, G2532 even G5087 I put G1473 you G1722 on G3735 [2mount G39 1 the holy] G2316 of God; G1096 you existed G1722 among G3319 the midst G3037 of the stones G4447 of fire.
The satan, the one called the king of Tyre, the king of the rock in Palestine, walked on every precious stone. He filled up his own treasuries and storehouses with gold. He was prepared or made/created along with the cherub. He was not a cherub, he was created alongside and at the time of the cherub being created. The satan, who is an incorporeal being, (air, aether, fire, light) existed among the stones of fire, and was kicked out of paradise. Why did the satan steal rulership of the earth from the adam? Because he wanted the adam’s rulership over the earth. The satan thought that he was better than the adam and refused to bow to him, and then tricked the adam into disobeying Yahweh.
Enoch gives us another interesting detail about paradise.
The Book of Enoch
[Chapter 20] 1 These are the names of the holy angels who watch. 2 Uriel, one of the holy angels, who is over the world, turmoil and terror. 3 Raphael, one of the holy angels, who is over the spirits of men. 4 Raguel, one of the holy angels who takes vengeance on the world of the luminaries. 5 Michael, one of the holy angels, set over the virtues of mankind and over chaos. 6 Saraqael, one of the holy angels, who is set over the spirits, who sin in the spirit. 7 Gabriel, one of the holy angels, who is over Paradise and the serpents and the Cherubim. 8 Remiel, one of the holy angels, whom God set over those who rise.
Lumpkin, Joseph. Enoch, Jubilees, Jasher: Banned from the Bible (pp. 30-31). Fifth Estate. Kindle Edition.
Gabriel is the angel over paradise. Three hundred angels tend the paradise. Paradise is a garden with trees. It is like a park or a beautifully landscaped estate. There may be precious stones and gold as well. The adam and Eve lived there, working and guarding it. It seems to be a beautiful place. The tree of life is there as well. Now Ezra is told by an angel that paradise is open to him.
2Es 8:50 For many great miseries shall be done to them that in the latter time shall dwell in the world, because they have walked in great pride.
2Es 8:51 But understand thou for thyself, and seek out the glory for such as be like thee.
2Es 8:52 For unto you is paradise opened, the tree of life is planted, the time to come is prepared, plenteousness is made ready, a city is builded, and rest is allowed, yea, perfect goodness and wisdom.
2Es 8:53 The root of evil is sealed up from you, weakness and the moth is hid from you, and corruption is fled into hell to be forgotten:
2Es 8:54 Sorrows are passed, and in the end is shewed the treasure of immortality.
2Es 8:55 And therefore ask thou no more questions concerning the multitude of them that perish.
The treasure of immortality lies in paradise where the tree of life is planted. Immortality or eternal life is the real treasure, not the precious stones, gold, beautiful gardens and grounds tended by angels. But when was paradise opened to the righteous dead? When Jesus went into hades and the gates opened, he took the saints that were in Abraham’s Bay to paradise.
The Gospel of Nicodemus, The Acts of Pontus Pilate
CHAP. XIX.
1 THEN Jesus stretched forth his hand, and said, Come to me, all ye my saints, who were created in my image, who were condemned by the tree of forbidden fruit, and by the devil and death;
2 Live now by the wood of my cross; the devil, the prince of this world, is overcome, and death is conquered.
3 Then presently all the saints were joined together under the hand of the most high God; and the Lord Jesus laid hold on Adam's hand and said to him, Peace be to thee, and all thy righteous posterity, which is mine.
4 Then Adam, casting himself at the feet of Jesus, addressed himself to him, with tears, in humble language, and a loud voice, saying,
5 I will extol thee, O Lord, for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me. O Lord my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.
6 O Lord thou hast brought up my soul from the grave; thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.
7 Sing unto the Lord, all ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. For his anger endureth but for a moment; in his favour is life.
Notice what David wrote.
Psa 30:1 For the end, a Psalm and Song at the dedication of the house of David. I will exalt thee, O Lord; for thou hast lifted me up, and not caused mine enemies to rejoice over me.
Psa 30:2 O Lord my God, I cried to thee, and thou didst heal me.
Psa 30:3 O Lord, thou hast brought up my soul from Hades, thou hast delivered me from among them that go down to the pit.
Psa 30:4 Sing to the Lord, ye his saints, and give thanks for the remembrance of his holiness.
Psa 30:5 For anger is in his wrath, but life in his favour: weeping shall tarry for the evening, but joy shall be in the morning.
David’s words are so very similar to the adam’s words.
The Gospel of Nicodemus 19:8 In like manner all the saints, prostrate at the feet of Jesus, said with one voice, Thou art come, O Redeemer of the world, and hast actually accomplished all things, which thou didst foretell by the law and thy holy prophets.
9 Thou hast redeemed the living by thy cross, and art come down to us, that by the death of the cross thou mightest deliver us from hell, and by thy power from death.
10 O, Lord, as thou hast put the ensigns of thy glory in heaven, and hast set up the sign of thy redemption, even thy cross on earth! so, Lord, set the sign of the victory of thy cross in hell, that death may have do minion no longer.
11 Then the Lord stretching forth his hand, made the sign of the cross upon Adam, and upon all his saints.
12 And taking hold of Adam by his right hand, he ascended from hell, and all the saints of God followed him.
13 Then the royal prophet David boldly cried, and said, O sing unto the Lord a new song, for he hath done marvellous things; his right hand and his holy arm have gotten him the victory.
14 The Lord hath made known his salvation, his righteousness hath he openly shewn in the sight of the heathen.
Psa 98:1 A Psalm of David. Sing to the Lord a new song; for the Lord has wrought wonderful works, his right hand, and his holy arm, have wrought salvation for him.
Psa 98:2 The Lord has made known his salvation, he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.
The Gospel of Nicodemus 19:15 And the whole multitude of saints answered, saying, This honour have all his saints, Amen, Praise ye the Lord.
16 Afterwards, the prophet Habakkuk cried out, and said, Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, even for the salvation of thy people.
Hab 3:13 Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, to save thine anointed: thou shalt bring death on the heads of transgressors; thou has brought bands upon their neck. Pause.
The Gospel of Nicodemus 19:17 And all the saints said, Blessed is he who cometh in the name of the Lord; for the Lord hath enlightened us. This is our God for ever and ever; he shall reign over us to everlasting ages, Amen.
Mat 23:39 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
We still have another time when people will call on the Lord Jesus and say ‘Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord’. That will be the time that the Jews accept Jesus as their Messiah at the end of the tribulation.
The Gospel of Nicodemus 19:18 In like manner all the prophets spake the sacred things of his praise, and followed the Lord.
The Gospel of Nicodemus CHAP. XX.
1 THEN the Lord holding Adam by the hand, delivered him to Michael the archangel; and he led them into Paradise, filled with mercy and glory;
2 And two very ancient men met them, and were asked by the saints, Who are ye, who have not yet been with us in hell, and have had your bodies placed in Paradise?
3 One of them answering, said, I am Enoch, who was translated by the word of God: and this man who is with me, is Elijah the Tishbite, who was translated in a fiery chariot.
Notice the two people in paradise were the two people translated or taken off the earth. They both had their bodies, but the others coming out of hades did not have their bodies. Why?
Gen 5:24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.
Sir 44:16 Henoch pleased God, and was translated into paradise, that he may give repentance to the nations.
2Ki 2:11 And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
2Ki 2:12 And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.
We see that both Elijah and Enoch were translated to paradise, living there until the time when they will come back to the earth as the two witnesses. They say that they have not tasted death.
The Gospel of Nicodemus 20:4 Here we have hitherto been, and have not tasted death, but are now about to return at the coming of Antichrist, being armed with divine signs and miracles, to engage with him in battle, and to be slain by him at Jerusalem, and to be taken up alive again into the clouds, after three days and a half.
As we know, it is appointed once for every man to die and then judgment, as Hebrews 9:27. Enoch and Elijah were judged righteous, brought to paradise, and then will be sent back to earth during the tribulation to die. When the saints are harpazo’d, Enoch and Elijah will be witnesses on the earth with special powers and will not die until the appointed time.
Rev 11:3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
Rev 11:4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
Rev 11:5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
Rev 11:6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
Rev 11:7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
Rev 11:8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
Rev 11:9 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.
Rev 11:10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.
Rev 11:11 And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.
Rev 11:12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.
Imagine, while the saints are caught up to heaven and watch as the seals are opened and the trumpets are sounded, Enoch and Elijah will be causing an extra a ruckus on the earth alongside all the judgments. Enoch and Elijah will be on the earth for three and one half years, and then they will be killed by the beast from the bottomless pit. For three days the whole world will see their dead bodies in the street. Everyone will watch on their televisions and phones as these two die on the streets. For three days it will be reported that the world is free from their terror. The people will celebrate and exchange gifts as if it is Christmas. Then the whole world will see Enoch and Elijah come back to life, stand on their feet, and then ascend into heaven. As they say, the internet is forever.
The Gospel of Nicodemus 20:5 ¶ And while the holy Enoch and Elias were relating this, behold there came another man in a miserable figure carrying the sign of the cross upon his shoulders.
6 And when all the saints saw him, they said to him, Who art thou? For thy countenance is like a thief's; and why dost thou carry a cross upon thy shoulders?
7 To which he answering, said, Ye say right, for I was a thief who committed all sorts of wickedness upon earth.
8 And the Jews crucified me with Jesus; and I observed the surprising things which happened in the creation at the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus.
9 And I believed him to be the Creator of all things, and the Almighty King; and I prayed to him, saying, Lord, remember me, when thou comest into thy kingdom.
10 He presently regarded my supplication, and said to me, Verily I say unto thee, this day thou shalt be with me in Paradise.
We know Jesus said this as Luke records for us.
Luke 23:43 G2532 And G2036 [2said G1473 3to him G3588 G* 1Jesus], G281 Amen G3004 I say G1473 to you, G4594 Today G3326 with G1473 me G1510.8.2 you will be G1722 in G3588 G3857 paradise
What this shows us is that Jesus knew he would open paradise. Jesus assured this thief, because of his belief in Jesus as Lord and Savior, that he would be with him in paradise. Notice the conversation. The thief asked for Jesus to remember him when he, Jesus, came into his kingdom. He was not asking to go to paradise, no one but Jesus and the Father and some of the Elohim knew that this would happen. The thief was thinking that when Jesus would establish his millennial kingdom on the earth, that he would be a part of that kingdom. The thief did not realize a beautiful garden park would be the place he would await the millennial kingdom.
Jesus technically let the plan be heard when he told the thief that that day the thief would be with Jesus in paradise. But it doesn’t seem like the satan heard, nor the devil, nor any other spiritual adversary to Jesus. No other demonic beings heard or understood what Jesus had just said.
Now we can understand the reason for the graves opening and the dead saints coming out and walking around Jerusalem. The saints who came out of the graves were witnessing Jesus overcoming death and hades, and taking the saints out of Abraham’s Bay and into paradise. They were telling of the events the living disciples could not see.
The Gospel of Nicodemus 20:11 And he gave me this sign of the cross saying, Carry this, and go to Paradise; and if the angel who is the guard of Paradise will not admit thee, shew him the sign of the cross, and say unto him: Jesus Christ who is now crucified, hath sent me hither to thee.
12 When I did this, and told the angel who is the guard of Paradise all these things, and he heard them, he presently opened the gates, introduced me, and placed me on the right-hand in Paradise,
13 Saying, Stay here a little time, till Adam, the father of all mankind, shall enter in, with all his sons, who are the holy and righteous servants of Jesus Christ, who was crucified.
The angels in paradise knew the sons of the adam, the righteous dead, would be on their way. The thief probably hung out with Enoch and Elijah. Think about what an honor that was for the thief. There must be far more to the story of the thief than we are privy to. The thief recognized Jesus as the Creator; which is interesting because as Paul tells us, everything was created by him, for him, and through him. Yet the very religious leaders and scholars were phonies; they were leaders and scholars in a false religion. The thief knew Jesus as Creator and Messiah, but the religious leaders and scholars rejected him and had him murdered. The behavior of the Jews who rejected Jesus continues, as we have seen the Masoretes try to erase the knowledge of Jesus opening paradise by changing the words and destroying the documents that teach us about Jesus our Lord.
The Gospel of Nicodemus 20:14 When they heard all this account from the thief, all the patriarchs said with one voice, Blessed be thou, O Almighty God, the Father of everlasting goodness, and the Father of mercies, who hast shewn such favour to those who were sinners against him, and hast brought them to the mercy of Paradise, and hast placed them amidst thy large and spiritual provisions, in a spiritual and holy life. Amen.
As we know, Muslims believe in paradise and have their own cultural rewards associated with their belief system. This is a convenient cover for the Masoretes to then hide the knowledge of paradise for the righteous saints. If we only want to look at what is written in our Bible’s, such as Paul’s understanding of paradise, the adam and the satan being cast out of paradise, and Jesus’ words to the thief, then we still have one more thing to consider. Jesus told John to write seven letters to seven churches. The church at Ephesus is told that its overcomers would receive fruit from the tree of life in the middle of the paradise.
Revelation 2:7 G3588 The one G2192 having G3775 an ear, G191 hear G5100 what G3588 the G4151 spirit G3004 says G3588 to the G1577 assemblies! G3588 To the one G3528 overcoming, G1325 I will give G1473 to him G2068 to eat G1537 from G3588 the G3586 tree G3588 G2222 of life, G3739 which G1510.2.3 is G1722 in G3319 the midst G3588 of the G3857 paradise G3588 G2316 of my God. G1473
Jesus is going to give overcomers to eat from the tree of life in the paradise of our Elohim. Jesus cannot give what he doesn’t have. Jesus is promising overcomers of this type of corruption in the church something to eat from the tree of life in paradise. He must have a reason for overcomers to go to paradise. The key is to overcome til the end of our lives, then we can eat from the tree of life. The tree of life is in paradise.
Supplemental texts broaden our understanding of what the first century church knew. We see the writings that they deemed important and can understand the things that they wrote concerning these topics. Sometimes people have ulterior motives in denying the general population knowledge. It is easier to control people who have limited understanding and information. Nonetheless, we are not interested in the deviant’s excuses for keeping the masses ignorant, we are interested in broadening our understanding as to what Paul and Jesus have told us. For the departed righteous, waiting for Jesus to call from the clouds while in paradise is far better than waiting in Abraham’s Bay. And as we know, once Jesus calls from the clouds, the dead in Christ rise first. Then those who are alive and remain will meet them in the air. Paradise is not our final place of rest. Once Jesus harpazo’s the saints to heaven, the saints have a part in bringing in the millennial kingdom where some will be kings and priests.
