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8) The sum of the parts
The Bible is amazing revealing many patterns that are all consistent and there are layers in layers. In the old Testament the word Pardes is used exactly three times. Every time the word is used it refers to a king's garden.
Paradise is a king's garden on earth. Eden was Yahweh's, the great King's, garden. Then 2 times the word referred to Solomon's garden, the king who ruled Yahweh's kingdom. Then afterwards it was Artaxerxes' garden, the man who usurped rule over the earth being of the dynasties of the basest of men set up by Yahweh to rule his earth (Daniel 4:17).
In the New Testament the word paradeisos is also used exactly three times.
The first is associated with the time Jesus will be king of the Jews, where an existence in the garden of Yahweh is promised to a Jewish sinner.
The second occurrence shows that the king's garden will contain unclean animals, or people of the nations (or Gentiles), that have been made clean, and speaks of a vision of the rule of Yahweh on earth, relating to the third heaven.
The third reference promises a group of servants of Jesus, of the nations (or gentiles), at Ephesus, that, if they overcome, they will eat of the fruit of the King's garden and live forever.
There was a paradise. It was called Eden. Isaiah prophesied that in the future the earth will again be like Eden. To be in the new paradise is to inherit the earthly glory of the King's garden. But, to live forever people must eat of the tree of life and, by overcoming trial, inherit a role in the Kingdom, which is to be a ruler in the King's garden.
Paradise is not a major concept, but like every other small part of the Bible adds to our understanding of the multifaceted, but quite simple plan of redemption for the earth.
For life after death
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Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. (1 Corinthians 4:5)
This may be one of the most misunderstood passages of the Bible. Paul is notorious for long sentences of connected thoughts, and this is part of a complex wide ranging thought which lasts 2 chapters, and includes what seems opposite advice:
But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. (1 Cor. 5:11-13)
As I was thinking to write this article, having just read Psalm 46 as I do each year on that day, on January 25th a Bible was found untouched after a tornado hit Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
We have been given many time periods to prophetic events in the Bible. Many people think it too hard, and do not make an effort to understand them. However, if they were not to be understood, why were they given? And the Bible says the wise shall understand (Daniel 12:10).
In the light of the findings of science, how literally do we take what the scriptures say about the power of the God of the Bible, Yahweh Elohim (literally He who will become Mighty Ones)? Science at its best is a measurement of observable and repeatable phenomenon wrapped up in explanations which abound in analogy. There is no doubt in the benefit of investigating phenomena of the natural world. The surprising thing is that the more we investigate natural phenomena, the more it fits the explanations recorded over 2000 years ago.
The God of Israel is approachable and reasonable. He often speaks directly to his people. The following will seek to understand a passage where he speaks via the prophet Amos which has a few variant translations.
