Jesus promised a man dying alongside of him, who expressed faith in him by asking to be remembered when Jesus came into his Kingdom: “You will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43) Where would the man be? Would that Paradise be located in heaven, on earth, or at some intermediate location where humans await judgment?
Our first parents once lived in Paradise. The Bible tells us that “God planted a garden in Eden, toward the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed. . . . And God proceeded to take the man and settle him in the garden of Eden to cultivate it and to take care of it.” (Genesis 2:8, 15) When those words were translated into Greek, the word “garden” was rendered pa·raʹdei·sos, from which came the English word “paradise.”
Just as a couple would enlarge their home when they have more children, so our first parents were expected to expand Paradise beyond the borders of Eden as the human family grew. God told them: “Fill the earth and subdue it.” (Genesis 1:28)
The Creator’s purpose, then, was for humans to live and bear children in Paradise here on earth. They would live forever in an earthly garden with no need for cemeteries. The earth was to become the permanent home for all mankind.....we were created to live on a beautiful earth. There was no natural cause of death ever mentioned until disobedience robbed them of their paradise home.
Has God’s purpose changed? Do we now have the hope of going to heaven instead of remaining on a paradise earth, as God originally intended.....?
What are your thoughts? Where is the "paradise" that Jesus promised to the man who was hung alongside of him? Please use the scriptures for your response....
Our first parents once lived in Paradise. The Bible tells us that “God planted a garden in Eden, toward the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed. . . . And God proceeded to take the man and settle him in the garden of Eden to cultivate it and to take care of it.” (Genesis 2:8, 15) When those words were translated into Greek, the word “garden” was rendered pa·raʹdei·sos, from which came the English word “paradise.”
Just as a couple would enlarge their home when they have more children, so our first parents were expected to expand Paradise beyond the borders of Eden as the human family grew. God told them: “Fill the earth and subdue it.” (Genesis 1:28)
The Creator’s purpose, then, was for humans to live and bear children in Paradise here on earth. They would live forever in an earthly garden with no need for cemeteries. The earth was to become the permanent home for all mankind.....we were created to live on a beautiful earth. There was no natural cause of death ever mentioned until disobedience robbed them of their paradise home.
Has God’s purpose changed? Do we now have the hope of going to heaven instead of remaining on a paradise earth, as God originally intended.....?
What are your thoughts? Where is the "paradise" that Jesus promised to the man who was hung alongside of him? Please use the scriptures for your response....
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