Building on the Foundation

As the title of this post would imply, we’re going to answer the question: What is paradise? The reason this is even a question is that some hold a view that paradise is a holding area that’s not in heaven or God’s presence for the righteous dead. Mainly, this is based on the account in which Jesus tells the thief on the cross that today he would be with Jesus in paradise.  Luke 23:42 NKJV - Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." Luke 23:43 NKJV - And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise." However, even those who advocate for heaven as a literal destination immediately upon death recognize the problems in reading this as a literal, immediate entrance into paradise present. Number one: Jesus did not enter heaven for at least three days, and He did not see His Father’s face during that time either (John 20:17).  Thus, to take this statement from Jesus literally instead of as a future pr...

  When you hear someone speak of “hell,” what springs to mind? An image of an underworld cavern blazing with flames? The souls of the damned screaming in agony from the midst of those flames while cackling demons run to and fro, stabbing those tortured souls with pitchforks? Do you picture this scene enduring for all eternity, without a moment of relief for the condemned? That’s the popular concept of hell. A place of endless torture, presided over by Satan and his demons, for whoever rejected Jesus Christ in this life. But that isn’t what the Bible teaches, not even close! It’s all baloney. Fiction. Human imagination. According to etymonline.com , the Old English word hel or helle literally meant “concealed place.” It’s related to the Old Norse word hellir , which means “cave” or “cavern.” This original meaning of the word is closer to the truth of what the Bible teaches, but not quite there. Let’s investigate further! What Happens to the Dead? As we’ve noted before , the Bible ...