Memory Verse: “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today you shall be with me in paradise”. – Luke 23:43.

Bible Passage: Luke 16: 19-26.

Introduction

A paradise is a place of blessing where the righteous go after death. The word Paradise is usually used as a symbol for ‘heaven’ (Rev. 2:7). a Paradise is a place of rest for believers in Christ. It is a place where believers are united with Christ and His Father (Luke 23:43). Jesus used ‘paradise” as a synonym for ‘heaven”. The Apostle Paul wrote of someone (probably himself) who “was caught up to paradise” (2 Corin. 12:4). In this context, paradise obviously refers to Heaven.

OUTLINES

The Nature of Paradise

2. The benefits of Being In Paradise

THE NATURE OF PARADISE

Paradise is the Father’s House (John 14:2). Jesus told the thief that he would be with Him in paradise that very day (Luke 23:43). Paradise is a place that is wonderful beyond description (2 Cor. 12:4). Paradise of God is also said to be a high and holy place (Is. 57:15). where there is no sin (Ps. 15:1-2; Rev. 21:27). The Paradise of God has the tree of life for the health of nations (Rev. 22:2). It is a peaceful place (Is. 65:25). It is also a place that those who have faith in the Lord will enter immediately upon death (Acts 7:55-56). A paradise is a place of bliss and happiness. (Ps. 16:11). There is no need to worry about what happens after death if you are born again and living in holiness because whoever believes in Jesus Christ and endures to the end will be saved (Acts 4:12; Matt. 10:22). The inhabitants of the paradise of God are holy (Rev, 21:27).

THE BENEFITS OF BEING IN PARADISE

The Paradise of God has the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruits, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the three are for the healing of the nations (Revelation 22:2; Ezekiel 47:12). No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His servants will worship Him (Rev. 22:3). Saints will see the face of the Lord and His Name will be on their foreheads. (Revelation 22:4; 1Cor. 13:12; 1 John 3:2). Night will be no more. There will be no more sin or the sorrow that sin brings. The greatest of these sorrows is death which has been conquered by Jesus Christ’s victory at Calvary (Is. 25:8; 1 Cor. 15:54).

To have access to God’s paradise, repentance, confession of sin, and putting your trust in Christ is very essential. A fearful expectation awaits those who are not on God’s side (Revelation 20:11-15).

CONCLUSION: One thing is sure, if you miss heaven (paradise), you cannot miss hell. Be prepared.