ABOUT HEAVEN (2)

1. Introduction

a) Jesus made a very special, but often misunderstood, promise to a thief who was on a cross next to his. This promise is used by some who study the Bible to prove that entrance into heaven awaits good people right after they die. Near death, a convicted thief asks Jesus "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." (Luke 23:42). Jesus answered "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise." (verse 43). But what do these Bible verses actually mean? Did Jesus give someone who stole eternal life?

b) Further still, if the thief on the cross did not go to paradise / heaven when he died, then where did he go? Did Jesus receive his Kingdom and appear before God right after death? If not, what happened to him? Does the Bible support heaven as the reward given to the righteous when they are resurrected and does it tell us where it is located?

c) This article will answer the above questions about heaven right from your Bible. These answers will help us understand some of the TRUTH behind God's great plan for man and the true reward in store for those who love him. We will briefly take a look at four facts that will aid us in finding what Jesus' answer actually means.

i) The length of time Jesus was dead after the cross

ii) The time when Jesus is prophesied to receive his kingdom

iii) The location of heaven / paradise

iv) The correct translation of what Jesus said to the thief

2. The Kingdom of God

a) The thief on the cross asked Jesus to "remember me when You come into Your kingdom" (Luke 23:43). But WHEN, according to the Bible, does Jesus come into his kingdom? According to prophecy, the kingdom Jesus will rule will be instituted at his Second Coming - when he returns as King of kings and Lord of lords:

i) "And in the days of these (end time) kings the God of heaven will SET UP A KINGDOM which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever." (Daniel 2:44, see also Revelation 11:15, 17)

b) The Bible is clear that the Kingdom reigned by Jesus Christ will not fully come into existence until the near future. This means the thief on the cross could NOT, upon death, have immediately entered the "kingdom" he requested since it wasn't fully set up! 

c) We now know WHEN the Kingdom comes - but WHERE will it be located?

i) "'Behold, the days are coming,' says the Lord, 'That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness (a prophecy of Jesus); A King shall reign and prosper, and execute judgment and righteousness IN THE EARTH.'" (Jeremiah 23:5, see also Revelation 5:10, 20:4)

d) The Bible clearly states that the Kingdom ruled by Jesus as King will NOT be centered in heaven or the heavens, but instead will be on the EARTH! But, what happens to all the righteous who were resurrected at Jesus' Second Coming (1Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1Corinthians 15:51-52)? The reward of the resurrected, immortal righteous is living and reigning with Christ on EARTH for one thousand years (Millennium)!  

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