That's Paradise

And Jesus replied, “Today you will be with me in Paradise. This is a solemn promise.”

—Luke 23:43 (TLB)

Paradise is where the story of the Holy Bible begins—the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve are there, but more importantly, God is there. He even walks and talks with them in the cool of the evening (Genesis 3:8).

Paradise is where the story of the Holy Bible ends, too. Those who have done the will of God will be there. And more importantly, God will be there.

Revelation 2:7 tells us, “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God” (NLT).

Jesus promised the thief on the cross that he will be with Him in paradise because the thief believed in Him. The thief believed that Jesus was the Son of God.

What more is required of us than simply to believe? Nothing. Why? Because true believing is active, and obedience is the evidence of it.

Romans 10:10 says, “For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved” (NLT).

That’s paradise.