PARADISE
The word "Paradise" in biblical times had a varied history. In the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament used by Greek speaking Jews in the first century, the word referred to the Garden of Eden (Gen. 2:8-10, etc.), as well as to a future state of Israel's land to resemble the Garden of Eden (Isa. 51:3; Ezek. 36:35). In first-century Judaism, however, "Paradise" referred primarily to a "hidden" place of blessedness the righteous between the time of their death and the future. This is clearly the usage reflected in Jesus' referral to Paradise in Luke 23:43. In an attempt to show that this was not the Jewish concept in Jesus' day, some cite The New Internationalof New Testament Theology which states: "With the concept of the Gk. doctrine of the immortality of the soul becomes the dwelling-place of the righteous during the death state. "In context, however, this reference work is far from that the idea of an intermediate Paradise for the dead had already developed in Judaism after the Old Testament period, and was the Jewish view in Jesus' day.
It goes on to state, "In Lk. 23:43 [the word 'Paradise'] is no doubt dependent on contemporary conceptions, and refers to the at present hidden and temporary abode of the righteous." In two different discussions of Luke 23:43, some cite James's Dictionary of the Bible to prove that there is "little" for the "theory" that first-century Judaism conceived of an intermediate Paradise. What Hasting actually says is this: "It is certain that the belief in a lower Paradise prevailed by the Jews, as well as the belief in an upper or heavenly." The article also states regarding Luke 23:43 that the Paradise "Christ referred to is the Paradise of heaven." These two examples of misuse of biblical scholarship illustrate the sixth point: some often cite scholarly sources selectively and out of context, usually to support a conclusion opposite to that passage by the source. Now, it is one thing to show that a Textual source provides evidence for one's position despite the evidence of itself reaching a different conclusion; that is legitimate. However that is not what the some have done. Rather, they have all too often quoted from the scholarly work in a way designed to give the reader an impression that the source reaches the same conclusiont as they do. The only other references to "Paradise" in the New Testament is Revelation 2:7 and 2 Corinthians 12:4, and both of them are in heaven. Some will state that the "Paradise of God" in Revelation 2:7 is a heavenly Paradise, though they do not recognize it as an intermediate state for the dead between their death and resurrection. 2 Corinthians 12:4 is even more interesting. The parallel "Paradise" and "the third heaven" indicates that Paradise is a heavenly realm, as nearly all biblical scholars believe and on the passage have recognized. Indeed, Paradise was believed to be in the third heaven in Jewish literature circulating in the first century proves. Now many, however, have argued that Paul was referring to "a sleep state among God's people" during "the time of the 'harvest season'" which would come just prior to the End. In other words, JWs claim that Paul had a vision of the Jehovah's Witnesses of today! Of the many objections to this interpretation, let me mention just two: (1) Nothing in the context of 212 hints that "Paradise" is the people of God in the OT days; and (2) if Paradise there means God's people, then so "the third heaven," must also which is absurd.
We read in the gospels and the 1st Chapter of Acts about Jesus ascending into heaven. The ascension is unquestioned by any reliable Biblical scholars, an event that can't be denied except by the skeptic and the unsaved. What the ascension has done or better yet, what Jesus did when He ascended is debated in some Christian circles and pseudo-Christian circles.
The ascension was literal. It physically happened to our Lord and Savior, Jesus! Wherever the Scriptures discuss details of the ascension, this critical point must always be used in determining that passage of Scripture for a correct exegesis. The ascension had several major events that are tied closely to it. One event that we will discuss in this article is that of Jesus leading captivity captive, another would be the giving of gifts to the church-the five fold ministry of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers which will be the subject of another article.
Let's take a look at what Paul tells the Ephesian elders. In Eph 4:8, Paul writes, "Therefore He says: 'When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.'" Paul deals with the grace of God given through Jesus for the purpose of leading and equipping the church for ministry in today's world. This grace was given "When He ascended on high" to sit at the Father's right hand. Paul clearly teaches an important aspect of the ascension. However, Paul is quoting a Psalm to make his point to the elders. In Psalm 68:18, "You have ascended on high, You have led captivity captive; You have received gifts among men, Even from the rebellious, That the LORD God might dwell there." Paul quotes king David, a prophet who saw the ascension of Jesus Christ into the heavenlies.
Paul tells the elders that this ascension is clearly about Jesus in verses 9 and 10, "(Now this, "He ascended" what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)" Paul clarifies and qualifies his use of Ps 68:18 applying it to our ascended Lord stating that He also descended. Where did He descend? Jesus went into Sheol, the place of the dead. Jesus was there 3 days and 3 nights to fulfill the Jonah anti-type. Jesus said in Mt 12:40, "For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."
Jesus spent 3 days and 3 nights in the place of the dead which many Christians call Abraham's bosom (Lu 16:20-31). Peter writes in his 1st Epistle 3:19, "by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison," which gives us some insight to His descension to Sheol. From the events of Lazarus the beggar, we see that Sheol was divided and between Abraham's bosom and the torment of another section where the certain rich man was located was a great gulf.
In Peter's sermon on Pentecost, he quotes king David also. Acts 2:25-35, "For David says concerning Him: 'I foresaw the LORD always before my face, For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken. Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad; Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope. For You will not leave my soul in Hades, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in Your presence.' Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption. This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear. For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself: 'The LORD said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool." '"
Jesus did descend into Sheol where king David and the other righteous men and women of God were in Abraham's bosom. The same Jesus who is prophesied to ascend also descended and according to Peter preached to those in Abraham's bosom, the spirits in prison.
In remaining true to Christ's ascension being literal, we also see the same must be applied to His descension as literal. Jesus literally spent 3 days and 3 nights in Sheol fulfilling His prophesy and the anti-type of Jonah.
So what was David talking about when he said, "Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad; Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope. For You will not leave my soul in Hades, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in Your presence? Peter quotes David because David makes clear of the ascension. However, David also makes something else clear that caused him hope with his heart rejoicing and his tongue glad. David says, "For You will not leave my soul in Hades!" David was excited! David died about 1000 years before Christ and knew something about death that Peter reveals in his sermon. Peter quotes Ps 16! Paul also uses part of this Psalm to prove Jesus' ascension and resurrection as the early church fathers did as well.
As we are establishing the literalness of Eph 4:8 which Paul quotes from Ps 68:18, we must continue with the literal interpretation to remain doctrinally correct with our exegesis. This simply means that "You have led captivity captive" must be literal as well.
In Easton's Dictionary captive is defined as follows: "One taken in war. Captives were often treated with great cruelty and indignity #1Ki 20:32 Jos 10:24 Jud 1:7 2Sa 4:12 #Jud 8:7 2Sa 12:31 #1Ch 20:3 When a city was taken by assault, all the men were slain, and the women and children carried away captive and sold as slaves #Isa 20:1 47:3 2Ch 28:9-15 Ps 44:12 Joe 3:3 and exposed to the most cruel treatment #Na 3:10 Zec 14:2 Es 3:13 2Ki 8:12 Isa 13:16,18 Captives were sometimes carried away into foreign countries, as was the case with the Jews #Jer 20:5 39:9,10 40:7"
We also find in Judges 5:12, "Awake, awake, Deborah! Awake, awake, sing a song! Arise, Barak, and lead your captives away, O son of Ahinoam!" This is part of a song that deborah and Barak sang following the victory over Sisera and king Jabin. The call to awake is a strong indication of action and captives reveal real people as captives.
In view of Psalm 68, we see that there are captives who are real people and captivity which is a real action to real people. Paul quotes this in Eph 4:8 to the elders revealing this accomplishment at the ascension of Jesus Christ.
So the question begs to asked, who is Paul talking about as captivity and who leads them captive? The captivity are real people located in Sheol. The One leading them captive is Jesus based upon what we have already seen in the Scriptures.
Is this interpretation consistent with the rest of Scripture? Let's look at what Paul wrote to the Philippians. In Ph'p 1:22-23 "But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better." Paul discusses life in the physical realm and his desire to minister to the church, and his death from the physical realm to be with Jesus Christ. Look again at what he says, "But if I live on in the flesh," talking about his physical life and the choice he has. Look at what he says, "For I am hard-pressed between the two." Paul isn't sure which he desires more, to be with the Philippians to minister to their needs or to be with Jesus Christ. "Having a desire to depart and be with Christ," Paul clearly states as a valid choice. He is not talking of suicide, but the possibility of his execution at the hands of Rome as he is imprisoned and awaiting justice.
Clearly Paul declares his presence following death to be with Jesus Christ. Paul like David knew that he would not remain in Sheol, but would be in the presence of Jesus Christ, in heaven. What did Paul tell others? In 2 Cor 5:6-8, Paul writes, "So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord." Again, Paul is consistent in his doctrinal stand. At death, the Christian will be present with the Lord. Paul was not talking of lying asleep for 2000 years! Paul made himself perfectly clear, "To be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord!"
Jesus led Abraham's bosom (captivity) to heaven (captive) where Paradise is and the tree of life is watered by the river from the Lord's throne (Rev 2:7)! This is why Jesus could tell the thief on the tree next to Him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise!" (Luke 23:43) Jesus wasn't lying and there are many Bible scholars who have done a proper exegesis of the original Greek that proves this as well, but that too is another study.
The ascension of Jesus Christ accomplished a captive of Abraham's bosom that he led into the heavenlies to ever be with Him. What a beautiful hope to know where we will reside! Whether the rapture or death, we will be with our Lord Jesus, and forever it will be! There is no such thing as soul sleep that many cults teach and some mis-informed Christians! When I die, I will be in the presence of Jesus Christ!! I'll join in a song around the throne found in Rev 5! Rev 5:8-10, "Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying: 'You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.'" For soul sleep to be correct this verse and others about the 24 elders would be wrong. Beyond any doubt, the moment I die, I will be in His presence!! Praise the Lord Jesus Christ, the father of Lights, and the precious Holy Spirit!