Reality of HEaven

   Paradise, prior to when Jesus laid down His life, was a place where the best of the best, within God's eyes, went to after they died. We can imagine people like King David, Samson, Solomon, Moses, Elisha, and Ruth all within this place after they died.

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   Paradise was a place to hold those in whom God thought were righteous within their hearts concerning Him. But because His Son had not yet given His life as a means to permanently wash away the sin of an eternal soul, even the best of the best were not righteous enough to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. As such, God made a place called Paradise.

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   Now, when Jesus died, one of the two men who were crucified next to Him, asked Jesus to remember (forgive) him. Jesus told that man that he would be with Him in Paradise on this day.

 

   Most of us consider the moment of Jesus going into the heart of the earth to take the Keys of Death and Hell from Satan. While there, Jesus witnessed to those who were lost. After all, God is no respecter of persons. None of them had the opportunity that you and I are afforded to accept the Son of God into our lives. As such, Jesus witnessed to them. And like the angel of the Lord spoke to me and said, "Scar in hand. Saved a lot."

 

   And although we may consider this at times, we very rarely consider the fact that Jesus, also, witnessed in Paradise. Of course, with Paradise being full of those who loved God, to begin with, all of those in Paradise jumped at the chance to accept Jesus into their hearts. Because of this, Paradise became an empty place; more or less. With that being said, however, it didn't become void and useless. No, instead, God ensured that it would always be used. After all, Paradise is the outskirts, outside of the city of Heaven. What is it used for, now?

 

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   When Jesus ascended to be seated at the right hand of the Father, He told His followers that He went away to prepare a place for them - including mansions. God loves to fulfill our heart's desires. Some people would love the idea of living inside the busy city of Heaven. But others, their heart's desire is the surrounding countryside or mountains. And as such, Paradise is now an extension of Heaven; that is, it is not the city, itself, but it is a part of the Kingdom of Heaven.

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   Paradise used to be a holding place for the righteous because they were not covered under the Blood of the Lamb, as Jesus Christ had not yet laid down His life.

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It existed outside of the city.

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   Now, however, Paradise is a place considered as a part of the Kingdom of Heaven. Its usage is not voided, but rather, it is fulfilled. That is, Paradise was always going to become an extension to the place for those who have accepted and love Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

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   So, instead of it being a holding place for those who were Old Testament righteous and had not yet received Jesus Christ as Lord of their lives, it is now a place where only those who believe and love Jesus can enter. This is because it is now an extension to the city of Heaven - having mountains and the countryside. Furthermore, there are many mansions that are built for those who have the heart's desire to be surrounded by countryside or mountainous terrain. God knows our heart's desire. Moreover, His desire is to fulfill our desire because God is Love.