In Christianity, a paradise is a place of exceptional happiness and is often attributed to the garden of Eden which was taken away after man sinned against God. Paradise according to the Bible is a place of rest for those who believe in God and the atmosphere in this place is peace, happiness, prosperity and many more. But where is paradise actually located? Is it on earth or a spiritual place that only the dead can visit? Let us find out by reading more below.
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Where Is Paradise Located?
The Bible has not revealed the exact location of paradise. However, the scriptures depict the place to be a spiritual resting place for those who die in Christ. There are a lot of Bible references to the place. Also, from paradise, one can see those in Hell (which is also a place for those who die for their sin).
In Luke 23:42-43, whiles on the cross, one of the thieves who believed in the teachings of Jesus asked to be remembered in the new Kingdom being preached by the Messiah. This was Jesus’s response.
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!” And Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” Jesus’s response was evident that Paradise was a place only the dead can visit and since Jesus and all those people crucified with him died the same day, it is evident that, once a person dies, he can reach paradise the same day.
There is also another story where Jesus used his friend Lazarus to talk about paradise. Let’s read below from Luke 16:19-31.
19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue because I am in agony in this fire.’
25 “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’
27 “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, 28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’
29 “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’
30 “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
31 “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”
The scriptural reading above does not say only poor people can make it to Heaven but rather good deeds and faith in God. It also says that when Lazarus died, angels came to carry him to the place. This indicates that Paradise is a spiritual place only the dead can visit.
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