There is a place for the living and a place for their souls. By knowing where and how could be seen from the scriptures. Despite it’s confusing descriptions and interpretations by people, Paradise in the Bible is true and very real.
The human knowledge about paradise is very limited. Although there is an enormous curiosity within the hearts of men to fully understand what paradise is all about. Unfortunately the scriptures did not give much details; therefore our curiosity isn’t satisfied. Despite all the speculations and beliefs about paradise in the Bible, God has given us something to grasp.
In this article, I will take you through what the Bible says about paradise and its significance in the lives of every believer. Even a kid will assume it’s a super beautiful place that would be pleasant to live.
In fact, we have been conditioned from childhood that paradise is associated with a place of beauty and perfection. Yes, that’s right. Such thoughts quickly bring the Garden of Eden into discussion. Oh yes, this garden was “paradise on earth.” But it has been lost long long ago when Adam and Eve sinned against God.
I must admit, talking about paradise in the Bible is an interesting story that also sparks a compelling argument.There are several misconceptions among Christians and people of other faiths. In this context, I will use the Bible as the focal point so pay attention reader.
What Does Paradise Mean?
Paradise is a Greek word that signifies a park, or garden with trees. The Hebrew word GAN, garden, portrays the same line of meaning or understanding. Nehemiah 2:8 and Ecclesiastics 2:5 throw more light on it. It is a place full of delights and King Solomon once had one (a pleasant garden). The word was used to denote the Garden of Eden as described in Genesis 2:8-10 and Ezekial 28:13.
The same word denoting a beautiful garden was also used later time to denote heaven according to the Bible. We can find that in Luke 23:43 and 2 Corinthians 12:3.
So we can say it’s a sanctuary meant to be lived with a lot of joy and all the goodness you could ever imagine.
This sanctuary or garden as noted in the Bible is commonly known as “the terrestrial paradise.” Archeologists, Scientists, Scholars, and other interested groups have sought around the world to find the exact location of the garden God put Adam and Even in. So far there haven’t been complete and convincing documents to blow out all doubts. We haven’t seen the empirical evidence of the exact location yet.
Mankind lost access to paradise when Adam and Eve sinned. This paradise isn’t in existence anymore. But it’s now a spiritual place that is not accessible by any flesh. Our human nature can’t access the new abode Jesus Christ has promised us.
Within the New Testament, “paradise” is put in allusion to the paradise of Eden as stated in Genesis. It is a place where the souls of the righteous and blessed children of God enjoy true peace and happiness. It is also believed this is where the souls of righteous people stay and wait for the second coming of Jesus.
Christ Jesus being the image of God and knowing everything said to the penitent thief on the cross, “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise;” that is, in the state of the blessed.
“And he said to him, “Assuredly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43.)
Again, we get to know there is a place called Paradise when Apostle Paul speaking of himself in the third person said he was caught up in paradise.
“I knew a man that was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.” (2 Corinthians 12:4)
Paul said he heard unspeakable things that are unlawful for mankind to talk about. This sheds more light on the fact that God has given us a very limited truth or message about paradise. It’s scanty so we need not stress ourselves trying to understand everything. Some are left to remain a mystery. We can’t know all about it but as Christians, the Lord has promised to take us to a place so beautiful, full of mansions, and worthy of living. (John 14:2)
This quickly takes us to Revelation 21 which describes the New Jerusalem. Interestingly, the Bible says the Tree of Life which was once in the Garden of Eden is available there also.
“Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life.”
In Revelation 2:7 and 22:14, the beautiful and natural features described for us in the book of Geneses that got lost are here restored perfectly forever. That was God’s magnificent plan in the Garden of Eden, but disobedience leading to sin caused mankind to lose that beautiful garden. Thankfully Jesus Christ has promised to restore to us the once lost paradise.
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God.” (Revelation 2:7)
Where Is Paradise Located Now?
Mankind has lost paradise. It happened when Adam and Eve sinned against God and were driven out of it. Man has made several attempts to locate where the garden was planted by God. But haven’t been able to adequately convince the world of his findings.
Researchers have come out with something worth considering. They believed paradise was in a certain province in Asia. There are one or two other locations that fit into this school of thought.
A clue in the Bible reads:
“The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there he put the man whom he had formed,” Genesis 2:8.
The topography of Eden has been described in the Bible:
“And a river went out of Eden to water the garden, and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads. The name of the first is Pison,” etc.
This obscure message has been interpreted differently by experts of the Bible and archeologists. The Bible didn’t give much detail so mankind’s attempt to fully unearth the true location is not fully satisfactory. God scraped it off mankind’s view.
However, a region that exists in the highlands of Armenia, west of Mount Ararat and 5,000 feet above sea level is suspected to be the location of the Garden of Eden described in Genesis.
In this region, four large rivers rise: the Euphrates, and Tigris, or Hiddekel, flowing south into the Persian Gulf; the Araxes, which also flows northeast into the Caspian Sea; and the Phasis, or the Halys, flowing northwest into the Black Sea.
This fourth river is believed to be the Pishon of Eden, and the Araxes may also be the Gihon, This area is known to be very beautiful and fertile and so believed to be the garden of Eden.
From the Bible, after Lazurus’ death, he was taken to Abraham’s Bosom which is a state of bliss as stated in Luke 16:22. It is often represented by a feast or by sitting down at a banquet (Matthew 8:11 and Luke 13:29). You can imagine how joyful and glorious such a place would be. You wouldn’t like to miss that.
In conclusion, paradise in the Bible is very true but mankind has yet not fully comprehend its beauty, glory, and its location. Interestingly, some people see visions and dream about the New world our Lord Christ Jesus promised us in John 14:2. God truly has been revealing this special and glorious dwelling place to several people and their testimonies reflect what the Bible says.
The scriptures showed us that paradise was withdrawn from mankind within the first book Genesis. Now, the last book of the Bible; Revelation talks about the restoration of paradise that would be more glorious and enduring.
This place should be the greatest priority of every Christian. Heaven is our true home. The description detailed in Revelation concerning the New Jerusalem is awesome. It is a place of perfection that everyone would desire to live.
If you want to meet Jesus in Paradise then stay away from sin, pursue righteousness, and hold onto the faith to the end.
At the moment, the Bible makes it clear that no one is in heaven. That would be possible after the judgment day. There would be separation between the righteous and sinners just like how the parable of Lazarus and the rich man tells us in Luke 16:19 – 31.
Jesus said no one has ascended to heaven or descended except himself (John 3:13) In view of that, we must believe everything he taught. Paradise is a real place for the true children of God.
Now, we have got to know that the term paradise in the Bible may refer to the Garden of Eden, a waiting place for the souls of righteous people or the new world (New Jerusalem) promised by Jesus Christ.
Bible Verses About Paradise
Within this content I have given out several Bible verses about paradise and here are a couple more for you. I believe these will help broaden your knowledge about this place every true child of God desires to live with Christ Jesus someday.
“In my Father’s house are many mansions. If it weren’t so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.” (John 14:2)
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” (Colossians 3:2)
‘But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 3:20)
“Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.” (Psalm 73:25)
“And he said to him, “Assuredly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43)
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