Paradise

by J. Miller | Category: General | Apr 1961

The word Paradise (Paradeisos) is said to have been acknowledged by the Greeks to have come to them from the Persians, who gave this name to their fruit gardens, etc. The word may be of perhaps more ancient origin, for the Hebrew word Pardex is rendered "orchard," in Ecclesiastes 2.5; Song of Songs 4.13, A.V. In the R.V. it is "parks" in the former scripture, and the R.V. marginal reading gives "paradise" for orchard. In Nehemiah 2.8 it is rendered "forest." Some have thought that the Hebrew word carries the meaning of separated, and means a place separated by a fence from the surrounding country. This is the root idea in the Hebrew word garden (Gan), in Genesis 2 and 3, which means a garden, as fenced. The word is derived from Ganan to hedge about, and so to protect.

The word Paradise is used three times in the New Testament, in Luke 23.48; 2 Corinthians 12.4; Revelation 2.7. In each case it refers to a different place, each of which is a Paradise. In Luke 23.48, it refers to that part of Hades or Hell which is separated by a great, fixed gulf which none can pass over, from the place of torment to the place of bliss nor contrariwise, as we learn from Luke 16.19-31. The Lord said to the repentant robber by His side on Golgotha, "Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with Me in Paradise." We know from Psalm 16.8-11 and Acts 2.28-28, 31, that the Lord went to Hades when He died, to the place where all the righteous dead were. That place in Hades is a Paradise, a place of delights. The Lord was not left in Hades, for on the third day He was raised.

In 2 Corinthians 12.2, 4, Paradise is up, in contrast to Hades which is down (Genesis 37.35; 42.38; 44.29, 31), in the lower parts of the earth (Ephesians 4.9). Paul was caught up to Paradise, which is clearly identified as the third heaven. There he had a revelation or revelations of the Lord and heard unspeakable words which were not lawful for a man to utter. We need not stay now to inquire when that was or what the thorn in the flesh was, which was given to him lest he should be exalted overmuch. This Paradise is in heaven in contrast to the one in Luke, of which the Lord spoke, which is in Hades or Hell.

In Revelation 2.7 we have reference to the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God, of the fruit of which it would be the privilege of the overcomer to eat. Where will this tree of life grow? This is shown to us in Revelation 22.1, 2. It will be found on each side of the river of water of life which will proceed out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. It will bear twelve manner of fruits, yielding its fruit each month. Its leaves will be for the service of the nations. The Greek Therapeia, a word often used in the sense of healing, means, first of all, service. In the eternal state of the blessed there will be no more sin and no more disease, hence, I judge, we may dismiss the idea that the nations then will require healing, but probably the leaves will have a tonic and vivifying effect on the body. No doubt the fruit of the tree of life will have even a greater beneficial effect upon the overcomer who may eat of its fruit. The Paradise in Revelation is in the new earth in the New Jerusalem. This is one of the instances in the Scriptures, of which there are many, where the same word may apply to different things, but preserving in each case the meaning of the word.

J. Miller | Apr 1961
General