Regarding the promise Jesus made to the thief on the cross regarding being in "paradise"
Whirlingmerc said : “Jesus presence alone would not guarantee heaven, but the place called paradise would.” (post #197)
Hi Whirlingmerc
While “paradise” can mean a heavenly place, the promise to Dymas was NOT that Dymas would have "salvation in heaven", but rather, Dymas was promised to be “μετ εμου εν τω παραδεισω” (with me in “PARADISE”). The definition of παραδεισω (paradise) in the LXX, in Mac 7,25&26, in II Mac 5:17 and 7:12 and other places is that of a park, a garden (LXX), “an abode of the blessed dead”. It was the garden outside of the palace. Remember, John 20:17 tells us that Jesus had not yet been to "heaven" where his Father was. In speaking to Mary, he said : "... Hold me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God."
In the genre of early Christian decensus literature (the literature describing Jesus’ visit to the dead spirits in paradise/hades/sheol/the grave, etc. we have multiple descriptions of the place of the “righteous” dead being called “paradise”. For examples :
Speaking of the expectation that the messiah would visit the dead, it was said : “...And he shall open the gates of paradise, he shall remove the sword that has threatened since Adam, and he will grant to the saints to eat of the tree of life...... Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs- Levi ch 18 & 19:1 This text is part of the decensus literature that is referring to Jesus' descent into hades during the three days his body lay in the tomb and he went to the spirits in hades/paradise/sheol, etc. This "paradise" in the place of the dead awaiting resurrection. It is not heaven.
Of the early traditions of the “death” of Melchizedek, the angel Michael is commanded to go down and take an individuals spirit and place it in “paradise” (i.e. the place of the righteous dead). 9 “And Michael took the child on the same night on which he had come down; and he took him on his wings, and he placed him in the paradise of edom.... 11 Thus Nir ended his life. 2nd Enoch 72:9-11; Similarly, This "paradise" in the place of the dead awaiting resurrection. It is not heaven.
Similarly, when the prophet Sedrach reaches the end of his life, the Son of God was sent to take Sedrachs soul to the place of the righteous dead, called “paradise”. “And God said to his only begotten Son, “Go, take the spirit of my beloved Sedrach, and put it in Paradise.” The Apocalypse of Sedrach 9:1-2 and 5
“THE PLACE IN THE MIDDLE”
In describing the “intermediate” world between mortality and Final Judgment Both writers and translators of various early texts, both correctly and incorrectly, use many words to refer to this place such as SHEOL - HADES - SPIRIT WORLD, PARADISE, sometimes "HELL" is used. (I believe they get it correctly more often than RE posters do however…) Occassionally, it is only the context that saves us from great confusion.
For example the prophet Enochs description that “paradise is in between the corruptible and the incorruptible.” (2En 8:5) indicates the ancient meaning for Paradise which moderns often forget. This ancient usage of the word “Paradise” changes the meaning of Jesus promise to Dymas (the thief crucified beside Jesus) that “thou shalt be with me in paradise” (lk 23:43). It was not “heaven” Dymas was promised, nor was in "the Kingdom of God", but instead, it was “paradise”, the place between corruptible mortality and incorruptible heaven.
The concept of paradise describing the place of the righteous dead finds it’s way into much of the early literature. Of mortals it was said, “ Either he will be in this world or in the resurrection or in the places in the middle.” (The gospel of Phillip) The early literature describes both Jesus AND Dymas the thief in this specific place after their death.
DYMAS (THE THIEF ON THE CROSS ALSO ARRIVES IN HADES (THE PART THE EARLY TEXTS CALL PARADISE)
Speaking of these spirits in the middle, it is recorded that Dymas was given a cross and sent to “paradise” with the other spirits who were awaiting resurrection. However, this place is Not “salvation” nor is it “heaven”, but it is the place ‘in between” while the spirits of the dead await resurrection. :
The story continues, and while John the Baptist’s spirit and the spirits of the other Patriarchs among the spirits of men are offering their testimonies of the gospel, other spirits are also “called to testify” and teach gospel truths to the others in the spirit world (which is the point the sons of symeon make clear in the narrative). Though the complete Story of Dymas is incomplete, it is clear that Jesus’ Promise that he would be in this “paradise” with other spirits was fulfilled as the early Christian literature describes.
Speaking of these spirits in this world of spirits, it is recorded that Dymas was given a cross and sent to “paradise” with the other spirits who were awaiting resurrection : While they were saying this there came another, a humble man, carrying a cross on his shoulder. The holy fathers asked him: “who are you, who have the appearance of a robber, and what is the cross you carry on your shoulder?” He answered: “I was, as you say, a robber and a thief in the world, and therefore the jews took me and delivered me to the death of the cross together with our Lord Jesus Christ. When, therefore, he hung on the cross, I saw the wonders which happened and believed in him. And I appealed to him and said: ‘Lord, when you reign as king, do nor forget me.’ And immediately he said to me: ‘Truly truly, today I say to you, you shall be with me in Paradise’ [Lk 23:43]. So I came into Paradise carrying my cross, and found Michael the archangel, and said to him: ‘Our Lord Jesus Christ, who was crucified, has sent me here. Lead me, therefore, to the gate of Eden.’...Then the archangel said to me: ‘Wait a short while. For Adam also, the forefather of the race of men, comes with the righteous, that they also may enter in....(Ch XI> The Gospel of Nicodemus- Christ’s descent into hell)
While Dymas is in paradise, it is clear that this specific place is not heaven, nor is it salvation. IF Dymas IS with all of these individuals, then he was with the dead who were sent to be baptized in the Jordan with the rest of the dead (according to this narrative tradition).
While I think it is fine to theorize that the early christians are incorrect in their textual traditions, IF you think Jesus WAS referring to salvation, you could certainly make a case for it. However, I think the early Christian doctrines surrounding baptism as a part of the "PROCESS" of sanctification is quite logical and rational compared to most of the later theological theories I have been exposed to.
In any case Whirlingmerc, I hope your journey is insightful and wonderful.
Clear
ειδρφυφιω