“And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise,” Luke 23:43.

HEAVEN AWAITS BELIEVERS AS SOON AS THEY DIE!

The Saviour made no answer to the mocking mob or the sneering unbelieving thief, but He had a precious, blessed  word for the repentant thief. It would comfort him greatly in final moments before death.

1. We learn this truth from the Saviour’s words: “To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” This truth is often repeated for the comfort of God’s people for there is much ignorance amongst men as to what happens after death. This wonderful truth is repeated for our comfort. 2 Cor 5:6-8; Php 1:23.

2. As the earthly paradise was created by the Lord for Adam and Eve, so the heavenly paradise is created by Him for His redeemed. “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” John 14:2-3.

It is pleasant above description. There is a river, Ps 46:4-5; There is the tree of life, Rev 2:7, 22:1-5, 13-14.

3. As in Eden, the heavenly paradise is a place of unspeakable fellowship with God. Gen 3:8-9; 1 Cor 13:12; Rev 22:3-4. Moses had come as near to this as was possible for sinful man, Ex 33:11; Deut 34:10.