Is paradise and Heaven the same?

[missmuffet]

Not to be a smart Alec, but. "who cares really?" Seriously, is there anyway that knowing the answer to this can affect how we live where we are today, on earth, in bodies of flesh, in time (not eternity)?

There are many topics for which questions exist like this, that we likely have no need to no nor use for that knowledge, I probably get sidetracked into those myself. However, I am curious to know, is there any reason that we should know or desire to know the answer to this question? What do you (any of you) think? 

I figure what I need to know, is how to live life until I either die, or are caught up to be with the Lord, which ever occurs first. After that point, I will find out what I need to know at that time, I think God has it all worked out.

No it can not affect the way we live but some are curious and want answers.That is your opinion that you do not care.Everyone is different.We can't all have the attitude of apathy.

[Retrobyter]

Shalom, bopeep1909. 

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I am not going to reply something that will take me two years to read.

 And so, we learn NOTHING?! Most of what I wrote was simply a copy of the Scriptures; everything in green and red is a direct quote from the KJV. Tell me, do you always reject reading God’s Word like that? Don’t you HUNGER for God’s Word like I do?

The parts in blue are from Strong’s Concordance, namely the Greek and Hebrew Dictionaries, adapted for Biblesoft’s PC Study Bible; so, those words aren’t mine, either. The only part I personally wrote was in black. Here they are:

Actually, although the two, “paradise” and “heaven,” are usually THOUGHT to be the same, the JW’s are only PARTIALLY right.

The word “paradise” (TRANSLITERATED from the Greek word “paradeisos”) is found three places in the NT (as is the Greek word): Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 12:4; and Revelation 2:7:

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Strong’s Dictionary of the Greek Language lists this entry:

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Complying with the suggestion to compare OT:6508, here is that entry in the Dictionary of the Hebrew and Aramaic Languages:

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BOTH words mean simply “a park!” Using the Englishman’s Concordance, here are the verses that use this word in the King James Version: Nehemiah 2:8; Ecclesiastes 2:5; and Song of Solomon 4:13:

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So, specifically, this is a “park of TREES" or an “orchard,” just as the original Gan-`Eden (Garden of Eden) was. These verses don’t have much to contribute to our discussion other than to show that this word in Hebrew, “pardeec,” is only found in these three verses and is the origin of the Greek word “paradeisos."

Now, let’s look at what we learn from the NT:

First, Yeshua` was telling the malefactor who would die with Him that day, that “today, he would be with Him in paradise."

Second, a look at 2 Cor. 12:1-4 tells us that whoever Paul was talking about (probably Paul himself) was “caught up to the third heaven.” This is NOT, I REPEAT, NOT talking about “God’s abode, Heaven!” It’s talking about an “ouranou tritou,” a “third SKY!” Someone else told us about a “third sky”:

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It’s a “third sky” CHRONOLOGICALLY, NOT SPATIALLY! The word “tritos” (“third”) usually refers to TIME references! “Third day,” “third hour,” “third husband,”  etc. Furthermore, the word translated "caught up," “heerpagee,” simply means “was snatched away” or “was seized” and has NO direction “up” associated with the word! As with most prophets who are given information about the future, he was "snatched away to the third sky" in the FUTURE! In his vision, he was teleported to the future and heard words he couldn’t legally repeat.

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Third, consider the information we are given in Matthew 16:1-4:

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The Pharisees and Sadducees asked Yeshua` for a sign from “ouranos,” and He GAVE them a sign from “ouranos,” just not the sign they were expecting: "Red sky at night is a sailor’s delight; red sky at morning, sailors take warning."

Fourth, Rev. 2:7 mentions that the “tree of life” is "in the midst of the paradise of God.” So, where else do we see the “tree of life?"

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Remembering that “paradeisos” means “a park,” specifically, a “park of trees,” we have such a park in the middle of the street, on either side of the river! Thus, the Paradise of God is found WITHIN THE NEW JERUSALEM! And, the city is a very real, very literal, structure that comes out of the sky and lands upon the New Earth!

So, now you know what a “paradise” is and what “heaven” means. One last thing to think about: The description about the city, the New Jerusalem, given by John in Revelation 21 and 22 is the very description that many people will say is a description about “Heaven.” That’s SORT of true, but not entirely, and what is true about it is NOT why they THINK it’s true! Right now, according to the author of Hebrews, the city is an “epouranios” city; that is, a city from “above the sky.” It’s a city that is above the atmosphere, and we’ve just learned from Revelation 21 that it shall be a city that comes down from God and comes "out of the sky.” Thus, it comes out of the atmosphere; therefore, the city LANDS on the New Earth, probably centered at the coordinates for the original Jerusalem, thus confirming that it is the NEW Jerusalem. We also learn that God’s throne and that of the Lamb are WITHIN the New Jerusalem (22:3)!

The rest of the post was supporting points and verses from the Scriptures and Strong’s. Now, don’t we feel silly?  

[Ezra]

I am sure TSDBB is now thoroughly confused with the variety of ideas presented here.  Of course, variety is the spice of life, but in spiritual matters, it is the kiss of death. TSDBB, since your knowledge of the Bible is limited, I would suggest you simply focus on the Lord Jesus Christ (and the Gospels) and get to know Him well.  If you know Him experientially you will be with Him in Heaven (which includes both the New Jerusalem and Paradise).

[Sister]

Not to be a smart Alec, but. "who cares really?" Seriously, is there anyway that knowing the answer to this can affect how we live where we are today, on earth, in bodies of flesh, in time (not eternity)?

There are many topics for which questions exist like this, that we likely have no need to no nor use for that knowledge, I probably get sidetracked into those myself. However, I am curious to know, is there any reason that we should know or desire to know the answer to this question? What do you (any of you) think? 

I figure what I need to know, is how to live life until I either die, or are caught up to be with the Lord, which ever occurs first. After that point, I will find out what I need to know at that time, I think God has it all worked out.

Hi Omegaman

Is your reply directed to me or someone else?

The OP asked many questions in one hit.  We are all going all over the place, and like Ezra said he would be so confused by all these answers.

So by your reply I don't know exactly what topic you are referring to?  but all his questions can be backed by scripture.

As a matter of fact, when I replied about the 144K I wanted you to see this, as I know you are very passionate about the timing of the rapture.  We can talk about this if you like?

 

God bless

 

[Retrobyter]

Shalom, Omegaman 3.0. 

Not to be a smart Alec, but. "who cares really?" Seriously, is there anyway that knowing the answer to this can affect how we live where we are today, on earth, in bodies of flesh, in time (not eternity)?

There are many topics for which questions exist like this, that we likely have no need to no nor use for that knowledge, I probably get sidetracked into those myself. However, I am curious to know, is there any reason that we should know or desire to know the answer to this question? What do you (any of you) think? 

I figure what I need to know, is how to live life until I either die, or are caught up to be with the Lord, which ever occurs first. After that point, I will find out what I need to know at that time, I think God has it all worked out.

That’s a good question and one that deserves an answer. To answer, consider this analogy:

What good is a map? Does one really need to have one when one travels?

If one doesn’t have a clear goal in mind regarding an end-point to his or her travels, how does he or she expect to get there?

A map shows us how to get from where we are (point A) to where we want to go (point B), showing us the most direct method for getting there and showing us possible alternatives should that most direct path be blocked.

In much the same way, the Bible has told us about the third sky (and the third earth) that will exist in the future after the global Fire, and it has told us about the Park of God in the Tent of God, the New Jerusalem, which will descend and be the capital city of the New Earth. With that goal in mind, we can say with Paul,

Philippians 3:13-17

13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Messiah Yeshua`).

15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect (mature), be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
KJV

With the right goal in mind, it was supposed to unite us on the same path to maturity as we grew together to being like the Messiah Yeshua`. Thus, the need for being on the same page is a uniting factor in Christian growth. If we all have the same goal in mind, we grow together toward the same point in the future!

[Your closest friendnt]

Not to be a smart Alec, but. "who cares really?" Seriously, is there anyway that knowing the answer to this can affect how we live where we are today, on earth, in bodies of flesh, in time (not eternity)?

There are many topics for which questions exist like this, that we likely have no need to no nor use for that knowledge, I probably get sidetracked into those myself. However, I am curious to know, is there any reason that we should know or desire to know the answer to this question? What do you (any of you) think? 

I figure what I need to know, is how to live life until I either die, or are caught up to be with the Lord, which ever occurs first. After that point, I will find out what I need to know at that time, I think God has it all worked out.

Thank you for your post, it's makes good sense, very often we want to know too much.

is good to know the one who has been there, that also knows how to get us there, we are not going to be alone, how about if we meet a lot of fog on the way. Or a sand storm. and ended up in the wrong park.

Thank for your post.