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I was listening Friday afternoon to an online Pastor. He stated basically the following view, although in the context of Luke 16, which I noted in the 2013 article:
Some scholars have concluded that since the remaining references to Paradise after Christ and the cross with Luke 23, refer to Heaven, followed by the resurrection and Christ's ascension, that Paradise has been removed from Hades...Kent (1996: 826).
The Pastor stated that the Hell section of Hades remains, although not the final place of judgment, that being the lake of fire (Revelation 20).
The implication being that Paradise was now non-existent in the New Testament context, replaced by Heaven.
What was not mentioned by the speaker was the view that Paradise has been removed from Hades and taken to the third heaven. Kent (1996: 826).
This appears Biblical in light of 2 Corinthians 12.
For fairness I will note that none of us presenting theological and Biblical works, unless presenting specific academic theses are presenting exhaustive works with articles and in the case of Pastors, sermons.
There is the issue of Paul's 2 Corinthians reference and his willingness to consider departing the body to be with the Lord in Philippians 1.
Erickson reasons that based on Biblical evidences the righteous in the intermediate state arrive at Paradise. Erickson (1994: 1183). The intensity of the condition of Paradise and Hades will not be as intense as the finalized states. Erickson (1994: 1183). This would be not only a reasonable theological and philosophical deduction based on the fact it is intermediate state and pre-final judgment (2 Corinthians 12 and Revelation 20 respectively) but also these are simply spiritual states and not spiritual/physical states. As Erickson notes the human condition is incomplete. Erickson (1994: 1183).
By my reasoning and speculation, Paradise could be a simulated spiritual realm like earth with simulated physicality.
Heaven and also Paradise could be one and the same perhaps with a new location after the resurrection of Christ.
The exact location is a rather irrelevant point as it is a spiritual realm and by my speculation, perhaps with simulated physicality.
The New Testament version of Paradise now featuring the presence of the Lord.
For the sake of argument, did the Old Testament version of Paradise never feature the Lord's presence?
This seemed to be the assumption of the Pastor.
Ephesians 4:7-10 is used by some scholars for possible support for Jesus Christ setting the Hebrew Bible Saint captives free:
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore [a]it says, “When He ascended on high, He led captive a host of captives, And He gave gifts to men.” 9 (Now this expression, “He ascended,” what [b]does it mean except that He also [c]had descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.)
Footnotes: Ephesians 4:8 Or He Ephesians 4:9 Lit is it except Ephesians 4:9 One early ms reads had first descended New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Based on Scripture I can see the theological reasoning that Paradise may have now been relocated so those within now fully experience the presence of the Lord in Paradise/Heaven.
But does not mean that the Lord was never experienced at all in Paradise previously?
This seems speculative and questionable.
Would it be Biblically Paradise without at least some divine communication?
ERICKSON, MILLARD (1994) Christian Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.
HUGHES, PHILIP, EDGCUMBE (1990) A Commentary On The Epistle To The Hebrews, Grand Rapids, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
KENT H. A. (1996) ‘Paradise', in Walter A. Elwell (ed.), Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Books.
MARSHALL, ALFRED (1975)(1996) The Interlinear KJV-NIV, Grand Rapids, Zondervan.
STRONG, J. (1890)(1986) Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Pickering, Ontario, Welch Publishing Company.
