If the New Testament saints go directly to heaven, why does Jesus tell the thief on the cross that he would go to paradise?
Let’s start by reading 2 Corinthians 5:8 which tells us, “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” This establishes the fact that when a believer’s soul and spirit leave the body at death, he is immediately in the presence of the Lord. This is evidenced in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14, “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.” Here we learn that when the Lord returns, at the Rapture of the church, He will bring those believers who have died with Him to resurrect their bodies to be rejoined with their soul and spirit.
Now let’s read Luke 23:42-43 which speaks of the repentant sinner hanging beside him on a cross, “And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” Three important words stand out in the Lord’s reply to this man: TODAY, WITH ME, and PARADISE.
The Lord promised that repentant thief that on that very day, He would join the Lord in Paradise. He would not have to wait for a future day for we learn that the thief died that very day. We read in John 19:31-32, “The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him.” Not only did this man go to paradise that day, but he was WITH THE LORD JESUS in paradise. It is certain that being in the presence of the Lord is what makes paradise such a wonderful place.
So, what or where is this paradise that the Lord and this thief went to that day? Let’s consider the language of 2 Corinthians 12:1-4 which says, “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.” Notice how the Apostle Paul interchanges the words “third heaven” with “paradise” showing they are the same place.
Are there three heavens? Yes, the Bible teaches us that there are three heavens.
The first heaven is the atmosphere around us as we read in Psalm 8:8, “The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.” The fowl of the air speaks of the birds living in a place where there is ‘breathable air’. This is the ‘first heaven’, the realm where birds can fly and breathe.
The second heaven is what we think of as outer space. We read in Genesis 1:14-15, “And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.” This speaks of the sun, moon, and stars in the ‘firmament of the heaven.’ This is the ‘second heaven’.
The third heaven is where the Lord dwells and where He brings believers at the point of death.
I trust these verses help to show you that all believers do go to be with the Lord at their passing. This is the third heaven, or paradise. (CC) (640.4)