By Nab B.
February 12, 2023
Updated Oct 2025
What comes to your mind when you hear the word "paradise"? A place unlike any other on earth? An abode of untold beauty somewhere in heaven? Or is it something else altogether? If you're like me, you want the real meaning.
Since "paradise" is first mentioned in the scriptures, then, let the scriptures tell us!
For this, I will present three cases where references to "paradise" are made. Through these, I hope the meaning will be clear to know the nature of what "paradise" really means.
Jesus promised the thief, "Today shalt thou be with me in paradise."
Image by Arnie Bragg from Pixabay
The thief asked, “Jesus, Lord, remember me when you comest into thy kingdom.” Jesus' answer was, “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:42-43)
From the above Q&A, were you able to see that the word "kingdom" corresponds with the word "paradise"? The thief asked to be in Christ's Kingdom, and Jesus answered, "Yes, you will be with me in paradise." This is proof positive that being in "paradise" is the same as being in "Christ's Kingdom."
What made the thief qualify to enter "paradise" or the kingdom? Though few were the thief's words, they spoke volumes. Here is why Jesus highly ranked the thief for entering "Paradise":
He feared God: "Don't you fear God" (v. 40)
He was truthful: "We indeed justly...receive the due reward" (v. 41-42)
He confessed his sins: "For we receive the due reward of our deeds." (v. 41)
He believed Jesus was innocent: "But this man hath done nothing amiss." (v. 41)
He believed Jesus to be the Messiah King: "Lord...thy kingdom." (v. 42)
He believed Jesus had a kingdom: "Thy kingdom." (v. 42)
He believed Jesus would rise from the dead: "When thou comest. " (v. 42)
I can go on, but you get the picture!
Since the thief will remain dead until the resurrection, Jesus, using the word "Today," assured the thief that "as of this day" (their last day on earth), the thief's future resurrection, to be with Jesus, is guaranteed. His name, on that day, entered the "Lamb's Book of Life."
Fortunately, we are not in the same predicament as the thief was! We have ample time to choose to enter the "paradise of God," and be seated on "spiritual thrones" with Christ in "paradise." (Compare Ephesians 2:6)
“And (God) raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places (by being born of the spirit) in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:6)
From the thief's case, the "paradise of God" clearly points to the Kingdom of Christ. To most born-again believers, it is a reality partially experienced during this last age.
Unlike the thief who died before experiencing the "Paradise", Paul experienced it! We read about it in 2 Corinthians 12:3-4 (YLT):
“I have known such a man, whether in the body, whether out of the body, I have not known, God hath known, that he was caught away to the paradise, and heard unutterable sayings, that it is not possible for man to speak.”
Many speculations were made about the "Paradise" Paul experienced. So, what paradise was he “caught away” to? Was it a brief visit to heaven? It may seem so if one doesn't pay attention to the context. To figure this out, let's read the context beginning with verse 1, for the meaning of "paradise":
“To boast, really, is not profitable for me, for I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.” (2 Cor 12:1 YLT)
Have you noticed what Paul was "caught away" to? Obviously, he was not transported momentarily to heaven! So, what was it? It was this:
He was “Caught away” to God’s presence. (A spiritual condition, not a location).
He was fully in the Spirit. (A spiritual condition, not a location) Compare Eze 1:1.
He received “Visions and revelations of the Lord Jesus” (a spiritual condition, not a location)
Paul was relating his encounter with Jesus Christ some 14 years prior (see v. 2). The encounter changed him, from a carnal Pharisee to a Spirit-born believer receiving "in the Spirit" visions and revelations from the Lord Jesus. What he saw and heard was too wonderful to be expressed in human language. (v. 4)
Interestingly, the expression "caught up" also describes the blissful, joyous state of the resurrected ones who shall be always with Jesus Christ. (See 1 Thess 4:17)
Paul's experience and those of other believers are but a glimpse of what awaits true believers when they are fully in the presence of God and Christ, "Who will transform our body of humiliation, conformed to the body of His glory." (Phil 3:21 BLB)
Revelation 2:7 reads,
“He 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.”
"The Tree of Life" represents "the life of God." The tree is in the centre of the "Paradise." Who is the centre of God's Paradise or Kingdom? Jesus Christ is. He is the fulcrum by whom God imparts His divine life to those who believe.
During this last age, all those born of the Spirit, who are "sojourners" on earth, are the citizens of God's spiritual Paradise. Though some live in it partially, at the resurrection, all will live fully in it with the Lord.
"But our citizenship is in heaven." (Phil 3:20)
"You...are fellow citizens of the saints and of the household of God." (Eph 2:19)
"An inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled...reserved in heaven for you." (1 Pet 1:4)
"We have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." (2 Cor 5:1)
┈❳❲┈
The Paradise
of God is
a Condition,
Not a Location!
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In the scriptures, often ideas are expressed in various ways. This is NOT to confuse us, but to shed more light on their meaning. The "Paradise of God" also come with other descriptions, such as:
Paradise of God
The Kingdom of God
The Kingdom of Heaven
The Kingdom of Christ
The City of the Living God
Etc
In this age, a true believer longs to be "Caught away" in the spirit, to encounter Christ, not just through "visions and revelations," but also through "prophecy," "teachings," and "fellowship" with like-minded believers.
I hope you could see by now that entering "the Paradise of God" does not mean going to a place in heaven or a point on earth. Rather, it is a condition, a state, a realm for us to dwell "in the Spirit," where God dwells.