I see a difference between Heaven and paradise.
Well, you are entitled to your opinion, but don't confuse it with fact...
2Co 12:2 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.
2Co 12:3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth
2Co 12:4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
Paul plainly shows here that the Third Heaven is Paradise. They are one in the same.
Sheol or Hades had two compartments separated by an uncrossable chasm (Luke 16:26). One of torment ( Luke 16:23) and the other compartment was called Abraham's bosom Luke 16:24).
This is a parable. It also state that salvation comes from the Pentateuch and the Prophets. Do you believe that?
Luk 16:28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
Luk 16:29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
Luk 16:30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
Luk 16:31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
And if you will not listen to Moses and the Prophets, you will not listen to Christ (though one rose from the dead).
We also know the after Jesus died, he went to Hades to set the captives free (Eph. 4:8-10).
We do?
1Co 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
1Co 15:23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's
at his coming.
1Co 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye,
at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
1Co 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
1Co 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
1Co 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
1Th 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with
the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Paul plainly shows us the resurrection of the dead takes place at the return of Christ, not at His first coming, but His second coming.
The only thing that makes sense is that the compartment many call Abraham's bosom must also be Paradise. Of this, Matt Slick, the Christian apologist, says:
"Sheol/hades is a realm with two divisions, the abodes of the saved and the lost. The abode of the saved was called “paradise” and “Abraham's bosom.”
So I agree that Jesus went to Paradise to set the captives free which is down below and then ascended up to His Father later.
Thanks, Shiloah, this was very interesting and I now am certain Paradise is not necessarily synonymous with Heaven.
The only thing that makes sense here is that this is a parable. I haveposted the ture explanation of this several times but I don't think I have here. It is somewhat lengthy and if I get an opportunity, I will post it.