WHEN Adam sinned God drove him out of the garden of Eden and placed cherubim at the entrance, with a flaming sword, which turned every way to keep the way of the tree of life (Gen. 3:2424So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life. (Genesis 3:24)). Thus Paradise on earth was closed to Adam and his race forever. Paradise signifies a place of delight, and although the word does not occur in the Old Testament, yet the description does. We read, “Out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food” (Gen. 2:99And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. (Genesis 2:9)). Thus every desire of the creature was supplied by the Creator.
Paradise was forfeited through one sin, which shows what God thinks of sin. Men think very little of their own sins, and so they keep no record of them; however, God keeps the record, which must be settled either in the day of grace or in the day of judgment―truly a serious consideration!
In Luke 23:3232And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death. (Luke 23:32) we read of two thieves who were in an awful plight, for their feet had run their last journey in crime, their hands had done their last act of violence, and the Doman soldiers had fastened both hands and feet with nails to their respective crosses. Only their tongues were loose, and with them they both reviled Jesus (see Matt. 27:4444The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth. (Matthew 27:44)).
However, repentance began in one, and he remonstrated with the other; but to no avail! Jesus was nailed to a cross too, and that for sins, but not His own. He truly “suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:1818For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: (1 Peter 3:18)). He was about to open the way to the tree of life, so He had to meet the flaming sword and fulfill the prophecy of Zechariah, “Awake, O sword, against my Shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the Lord of hosts” (13:7).
Thus the sword spoken of in Genesis had to be met by Jesus, if He was to open the way to the Paradise of God. This He did; hence now the sword is sheathed, and the heavenly Paradise is open to all believers on Jesus.
One of the thieves in his extremity found God’s opportunity, for the Saviour was close by his side, ready to pardon him when he was ready to be pardoned. The pardon was not on. Cæsar’s behalf: he had to die for his crimes against the government, and be buried in the malefactor’s pit; but what was far more important, Jesus pardoned him on God’s behalf, so that his soul could enter Paradise in company with Jesus.
The faith which owned Jesus Lord, was counted for righteousness, and Jesus opened Paradise to How glorious was Jesus to that man at that moment; and how glorious He is to every man of faith at this moment! That guilty sinner saw Jesus to be Israel’s long-promised King, and although, when pursuing his evil course, he had no desire for a King to reign in righteousness, yet, when he had repented, it was the desire of his heart to live under such a King.
What he had learned, when young, in the synagogue, about the coming King (see Psa. 72) doubtless came back to his recollection at that moment. (A great encouragement to teach children the Scriptures.) Thus the way for blessing was simple to his faith. Jesus entering Paradise, and the believer following the same day, was an immediate testimony to the value of the work and blood shedding of Jesus, and God’s estimate of both.
God closed the way to Paradise when Adam sinned, and He did it in righteousness. Now the righteousness of God is manifested, and grace reigns, through righteousness, unto eternal life (see Rom. 5:2121That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 5:21)).
When the present day of grace shall have closed, then the sword of judgment will again be unsheathed against all unbelievers who have refused God’s testimony. When men die, their spirits immediately return to God. He causes the spirits of believers to enter Paradise, while the spirits of unbelievers enter prison. The former receive their glorified bodies at the first resurrection, while the latter have to wait until the second resurrection, and the great white throne which leads to the second death, the lake of fine (Rev. 20:14, 1514And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:14‑15)).
God has allowed one man to visit Paradise, and to return to earth (see 2 Cor. 12:44How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. (2 Corinthians 12:4)). Paul was that man, and he describes himself as “a man in Christ” in order that we may know how he could visit such a holy place. It was not on the ground of being an apostle, but simply as being “in Christ.” Jesus opened Paradise for all who are in God’s sight belonging to the new race described as “in Christ.” All su.ch persons have had their sins put out of God’s recollection by the atoning death of Jesus (see Hebrews 10:1717And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. (Hebrews 10:17)), and being “in Christ” are at any moment fit for that holy place.
When Paul returned from Paradise, he said very little about it, because he could not tell what he had heard to others; it was not possible to translate into any language what he heard, but it greatly affected him all his life.
Innumerable multitudes of spirits have gone there since, but none have returned; so Paul’s testimony has great value to believers, as it serves to make them familiar with the abode of the saints. Paradise is also called the third heaven (see 2 Cor. 12:22I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. (2 Corinthians 12:2)). When Moses made the tabernacle, there were three parts, which were a pattern of things in the heavens.
Last of all we read of those who are without. The unbelieving thief must be without; and also all those who reject the gospel must be without. Oh! that word without; it always refers to the same class of persons, and is placed in contrast to those who are within. Whatever description God may give of any scene, the realization must go beyond the description.
Men naturally love to hold some unbelieving notions about divine things, but these all arise because of Satan’s unseen influence over men’s souls. The gospel is God’s remedy for man’s ruin, and it urges you to give up the company of unbelievers, saying plainly, “Forsake the foolish and live, and go in the way of understanding” (Prov. 9:66Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding. (Proverbs 9:6)).
Thus we have considered briefly―Paradise closed by Adam’s one sin. Paradise opened by Jesus’ one finished work. Paradise visited by one man, Paul, who returned and related it. Paradise enjoyed by an innumerable company of those who have a right to be there.
G. W. G.