Paradise on Earth (working on)

From time to time, we are asked:  Where does "paradise earth" appear in the Bible? We do not usually use the phrase "paradise earth", but, after examining the usage of the Hebrew and Greek words for "paradise" as found in the Bible, we conclude that these words are always used of "paradise" on earth. If our conclusion is correct, although we do not find the expression "paradise earth" in the Bible as such, it would mean that the Bible never speaks of paradise at all except that it is related to the earth. Except for being used of various specific gardens (Deuteronomy 11:10; 1 Kings 21:2; etc.), the word paradise is used in the Bible to refer to: (a) the garden of Eden, “the garden of God” (Genesis 2:8-15; Ezekiel 28:13), i.e., the perfect abode of Adam and Eve while sinless; (b) the symbolic paradise of God from which the overcomers of this age are symbolically given fruit from the tree of life (Revelation 2:7 — compare Ezekiel 28:13; 31:8,9); (c) the earth after the kingdom is set up on it, as and after its curse of sin and death is increasingly removed (Revelation 22:1-3, compare Genesis 2:9, 10; 1 Corinthians 15:26), and it becomes increasingly (Daniel 2:35) “like the garden of Eden” (Ezekiel 36:35), i.e., Paradise Lost becomes Paradise Regained, which new earth was seen in vision and prophecy together with the third, the new heaven-the spiritual control of Christ (2 Corinthians 12:1-4; 2 Peter 3:6, 7, 12, 13; Revelation 21:1-3)-that will eventually supplant the spiritual control of Satan, “the god of this world.” — 2 Corinthians 4:4; Galatians 1:4; Ephesians 2:2.

Links to some of our studies related to Luke 23:42,43

Regarding “Paradise” in Luke 23:42,43

Some claim that Luke 23:42,43 refers to heaven as paradise. Jesus mentioned nothing about anyone going to heaven on that day that he died; thus, the thought that he was speaking of going to paradise in heaven has to be formulated beyond what is stated. 

It is often stated that "paradise" in Luke 23:42,43 refers to a section of hades, and that Jesus went to paradise in hades when he died, so that he could take paradise out of hades and take it to heaven. The reality is that “paradise” — in the Bible — is never depicted as being a realm of sheol/hades. Again, any such thought has to be thought up beyond what is written, and then added to, and read into what is written. Obviously, Jesus was not saying that the criminal who died beside him would be with him in paradise on that day, but rather Jesus was emphasizing his promise being made on that dark day in which they were dying that, when he — Jesus — came into his kingdom, that criminal would be with him in the promised paradise to be restored on earth.

Some point to the parable of Luke 16:12-19 as proof that paradise was a part of hades at that time. The reality is there is nothing Luke 16:12-19 about paradise being in hades. It is often claimed that "bosom of Abraham" was used by Jews to speak of paradise in hades. This may be so, but this does not mean that Jesus used it with such a meaning. His purpose was to give a parable related to the law and prophets being until John. (Luke 16:16-18) Indeed, in the parable, the bosom of Abraham is not depicted as being as section of hades, but hades is depicted as being separated from Lazarus who is in the bosom of Abraham. The reality, however, is that Jesus was speaking of all this figuratively, as related to the context of the Law being until John. He was actually speaking of anyone being conscious in that actual hades, nor was he speaking of anyone actually being alive and conscious in the physical bosom of Abraham. Jesus, however, knew that the Jews would not understand his usage of their false beliefs in the parable. (Matthew 13:13,14) The same is true today among most Christians who wish to believe the Jewish fables concerning sheol/hades.

See our study:
The Rich Man and Lazarus

God willing, soon to be added:

Jesus' Descent Into Hades -- Ephesians 4:8-10 (Needs scriptural citations)

Ephesians 4:8-10 is sometimes quoted as being proof that Jesus took paradise out of hades and took into heaven when he ascended to heaven. The reality is that there is nothing in these verses about paradise at all. Paul is obviously referring to Psalm 68:18, which he applies, not to Jehovah, but to the Messiah whom Jehovah anointed and sent. This we believe that this lets us know that Psalm 68:18 is not speaking of Jehovah as being the one descended, but of the one Jehovah anointed and sent.

Paul is speaking of God's grace through the one whom he anointed (Isaiah 61:1,2; Acts 10:38; Ephesians 4:7), therefore it appears that he was applying Psalm 68:18 to the grace obtained through Jesus. To say that Paul is suddenly speaking of paradise being taken out of hades and taken to heaven would deny the context of grace, and focus on something that is not even mentioned, that is, paradise. Indeed, the idea that paradise was ever a part of sheol/hades comes, not from the Bible, but from the teachings of the Jews, which they adapted from Greece. Jesus did descend into hades in order to bring captivity (death condition in hades/sheol) captive (Ecclesiastes 9:5,10). Ever since Adam disobeyed, the world has come under the sun of vanity (Ecclesiastes 1:3; 13,13; 2:17,19; 4:17; 9:9), having been made crooked (Ecclesiastes 1:15; 7:13) and in bondage to corruption. (Ecclesiastes 1:16; 7:13) Having been made sinners in Adam (Romans 5:19), all thus die and enter the oblivious condition (likened to a prison) of sheol/hades. (Ecclesiastes 9:5,10) Eventually, once the sun of righteousness (Malachi 4:2) brings the promised blessings to all mankind in the age to come (Genesis 22:18; Isaiah 2:2-4: Revelation 22:2), God's grace will then release all the captives now held in sheol/hades. (Revelation 20:13) God, however, counts things that are not as though they were. (Romans 4:17) From God's stanpoint, they are all alive. (Luke 20:38) Hence, some have a foretaste of this grace from the age to come (Hebrews 6:5) by putting faith in Jesus in this age. (****) Nevertheless, because Jesus died and descended into the oblivious condition of hades (sheol -- Psalm 16:10; Ecclesiastes 9:5,10; Acts 2:27), God can remain just while justifying sinners. (Romans 3:26). Therefore, Jesus' sacrifice provides gifts to men, which is everlasting life through Jesus. -- Romans 5:23.

However, if Paul was speaking of people being alive and blessed in paradise as an alleged section of hades, why would they be referred to as captive? Are we to think that paradise is a prison full of prisoners being held captive?

Links to some of our studies related to "paradise".


We hope, God willing, to add discussion of Corinthians 11:16:33; Revelation 2:7; and possibly more.