Paradise
What needs to be understood is that salvation is not based on resurrection. Salvation was based on the cross, the sacrifice.
Luke 23:43
43And Yeshua said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
Paradise is only in the New Testament three times. Paradise comes from the Greek word paradeisos (par-ad’-i-sos). It means a park, a place of future happiness. It is closely linked with the Garden of Eden.
2 Corinthians 12:4
4How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
Paradise is the 3rd heaven. This is where God dwells and Yeshua sits on the throne.
The third time paradise is in the New Testament is Revelation 2:7.
7He 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.
Revelation 2:7 states, he that overcometh eats of the tree of life. The tree of life in Revelation is the same as the tree of life in the Garden of Eden. The benefit of it is explained in Genesis 3:22.
22And Yehovah God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:
When one eats of the tree of life, they will live forever. Revelation 2:7 states, he that overcometh eats of the tree of life. So, if one overcomes, they can eat of the tree of life and have eternal life. Therefore, one can equate overcoming to receiving eternal life, salvation.
When trying to understand concepts in the Bible, it is always important to define terms as God would. In the case of this term overcome, the Bible defines the word different than what a modern dictionary may. The dictionary defines overcomer as one that gets the better in a struggle. Is that what salvation is all about, overcoming a struggle?
God’s definition for an overcomer is in 1 John 5:4-5.
4For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Yeshua is the Son of God?
As far as God is concerned, all believers are overcomers. This is because they believe that Yeshua is the Son of God. Overcoming has to do with being born again, 1 John 5:1.
1Whosoever believeth that Yeshua is the Messiah is born of God:
Again, God’s definition in 1 John 5:4:
4For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
Believe in Yeshua and overcome the world. Overcome and one gets to eat of the tree of life. One who eats of the tree of life has eternal life, salvation. These live in paradise. It is that simple.
Why does man’s preferred doctrine make it so hard?
It is almost like people are trying to keep people from salvation with their intellectual pursuit of the Bible. God made it simple. Why do we complicate it? It is as if man is trying to get their works into it? Salvation is of grace, not of works.
Put this all together. Paradise is heaven. Those who have salvation go to paradise. It is not by works, just believe on Yeshua.
Next Repentance
Back to Thief on the Cross
Return to Heaven
Return to Sheol, Hell, Heaven and the Lake of Fire