In the bible, Paradise was located in a couple of places. The word is only mentioned three times, and each time it is in three different places.
The first time that it is mentioned is when the Lord Jesus Christ is on the Cross speaking to one of the other men crucified with Him. You may be familiar with this account. This was the thief of the cross who trusted that Jesus was his Messiah and that Jesus would be resurrected and bring the Kingdom of God to the earth for Israel. Because of that thief's trust in Jesus, the Lord accepted him. This acceptance would be verified when they both died and their souls arrive in "Paradise."
Luke 23:43
And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
But where was this Paradise? Well the Lord answers that in another passage...
Matthew 12:40
For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
We know that this is a reference to not just our Lord's body in the tomb, but also His soul in hell, the place of the departed dead, which was/is located in the "heart of the earth."
In time past, "hell" was in two compartments: one was known as "Abraham's bosom" also known as Paradise, and the other side was "torments.”
Luke 16:19-26
There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 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 thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
Hell, in time past was not how we think about it today, that is, just fire! In time past, hell was both Paradise/Abraham's bosom, and also "torments." When our Lord told the thief that they would be together in Paradise, and they both went into the heart of the earth, the scriptures make it clear that our Lord's soul went to HELL—not the torment side, but the Paradise side.
Psalm 16:8-10
I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
Notice that this Psalm is a "Messianic" one, that is, it is a prophecy that has to do with Israel's Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ.
In the prophecy, the Messiah is speaking to God the Father saying that He will not leave His soul in hell, that is, the place of the departed dead. But He will resurrect Him back to life!
We know that this is exactly what it means because the New Testament quotes it in reference to our Lord...
Acts 2:22-32
Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. For David speaketh concerning him [Jesus of Nazareth], I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. 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. 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; He [David] seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his [Christ’s] soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
Now the question is, is Paradise still in the heart of the earth?
For that answer we must go to the last 2 occurrences of the word. The next time the word is used in the bible is when our Apostle Paul uses it.
2 Corinthians 12:1-4
It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. 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 knoweth;) 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 knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
Here we see that our Apostle says that this man was caught up into the third heaven (verse 2), but that also he was caught up into "Paradise." So from comparing scripture with scripture [1 Corinthians 2:2-14], Paradise and the third heaven are now synonymous!
So it is obvious that sometime after the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord, and the writing of 2 Corinthians (around 20 years or so), God moved Paradise from the heart of the earth, up into the third heaven.
So we know that today Paradise is located in the third heaven, the place where the Lord Jesus now resides! But that will all change in the future, because our third and final reference to Paradise makes it clear that Paradise will someday return to the earth in the Lord's future kingdom.
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.
We know that this tree of life, as well as this Paradise of god is currently in the third heaven, but will one day come down back onto the earth when the Lord returns to Israel and sets up His earthly kingdom.
Revelation 22:1-5, 14
And he shewed 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. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
So in conclusion, Paradise used to be in the heart of the earth, until God moved it up to the third heaven which was some time after the death of our Lord. (For what I think was until His blood was shed for mankind, and once His blood was shed and offered, then now righteous man can go directly to the throne room of God, and not wait down in the heart of the earth anymore).
Once man's sins were paid for by our Lord, today Paradise now resides up in the third Heaven were God is.
Then one day in the future, when the Lord Jesus Christ returns to set up His earthly kingdom in Jerusalem, Israel, He will also bring Paradise down with Him as the scripture testifies. Then Paradise will be here on the earth.
Hopefully this helps...Maranatha!
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