AuldSold,
This is my understanding of the use of paradise in the occurrences in the NT:
1. Luke 23:42, 43: "Then he said: 'Jesus, remember me when come into your kingdom.' I promise you this right now,' he answered, 'you will be with me in Paradise." (21st Century New Testament - see also NWT, Emphasized Bible, Lamsa (footnote in later editions, Original Sacred Name Bible, New Simplified Bible). As you probably already know, other translations render this text differently, such as "Yes! I promise you will be with me today in Gan-Eden [paradise] (Jewish New Testament). Many translators and commentors believe Jesus was promising the repentant thief that he would be with him in a heavenly paradise that very day. A minority of commentors (including of course the Watchtower), believe that Jesus was alluding to a future paradise. I believe that the minority is are correct. True, the Bible clearly refers to a heavenly paradise in Rev. 2:7, specifically called the "paradise OF God". And in 2 Cor.12:1-7, the apostle Paul alludes to vision he had of a third heaven in which he also call paradise. This vision appear to be similar to the prophets and the apostle John who saw the heavenly throne. So the apostle Paul appears to be referring to the heavenly paradise. But the passage of Luke 23:42-43 is clearly, I believe, referring to the promise of the future earthly paradise. The Jewish New Testament using the term Gan Eden which is the garden of Eden, or reminds of the original paradise on earth, where Adam and Eve once lived. In verse 42 the verse, the thief is asking Jesus to remember him "when he comes in the Kingdom". That is something that was to happen in the future. Also, everyone knows that Jesus was dead in grave for 3 days, and did not ascend back into the heavens until later. (Luke 9:22; Acts 2:23-35; John 20:17) Even after the resurrection, the apostles thought that Jesus was going to establish the kingdom on earth immediately (compare Acts 1:6). This shows the mindset of the early apostles and first century believers. They were aware of the OT prophecies regarding the kingdom. Jesus himself alluded to the promise of the earthly paradise in Matt. 5:5. He also talk about the New System of Things to come, or the New Age or New World to come. Christians, it appears, after receiving the holy spirit, understood more clearly that there were to destinies for those saved. The Christians, for instance, alluded to promise of the "new earth" and "new heavens", which can only be understood in light of what the OT teaches. Referring to the new earth and new heavens the apostle Peter wrote that it was "based on His [God's] promise." So based on what they knew from the Hebrew Scriptures they knew there was going to be a paradise earth, and a heavenly hope in which Rev. 2:7 specifically called the "paradise of God". The apostle Paul spoke of the "world to come" (Christian Standard Bible) or the "inhabited earth soon to come" in Hebrew 2:5. (21st Century New Testament) In Ephesians he talks about the kingdom as an "administration" that will bring together in Christ the "the things in the heavens and the things on the earth." Acts 3:21-26 refers to the promise regarding the "restoration of all things" and how the "familes of the earth" will be blessed. Now the apostles understood more clearly that takeover by God's Kingdom in the hands of Christ was still in the future. Note how they alluded to OT prophecies. And we know the OT talked about a new heavens, and a new earth, about the meek inheriting the earth forever, about the Kingdom filling the earth, and about holy ones ruling with the Son of Man. Rev. 5:10 says that there will be kings ruling who will "over the earth". (compare Rev. 20:4-6). It's obvious that those who will be ruling as kings must have subjects. Those subjects will be the meek that live on paradise earth forever, including the thief that asked Jesus to remember him when he comes in the Kingdom. The rulers will be those who will live in the "paradise of God", ruling in the heavenly Mount Zion.
2. Christians faith on the new earth and the new heavens was based on the OT. That is what they referred to it as God's "promise". They new what the OT taught about the "Kingdom of God", which was what Jesus preached about. And they quoted from it when referring to God's promises. The OT and the NT compliment each other and are essential in understanding the Word of God.
3. As Christians, Jehovah's Witnesses believe they are following the example of Jesus Christ and most certainly preach in his name. The Witnesses I know that preach are motivated by what Jesus did and what to take part in the commission to "GO and make disciples" (Matt. 28:18-20) We truly believe we are following in the footsteps of Jesus, including making the Father's name known and preaching about the Kingdom (Matt. 4:17, John 17:6, 26; Matt. 6:9; 1 Peter 2:21). Of course the apostle name taught the name of Jesus to the Jews and Gentiles. Jesus was the only way to Jehovah. Using was Jehovah or Yahweh was no longer enough. The apostle Paul taught the Jesus is the "only name GIVEN" for salvation. Jehovah's Witnesses teach that. But remember, even the name Jesus means "Salvation of Jehovah". Surely the apostle Paul and early Christians must of known what Jesus name meant. (Matt. 1:21). Note that he said the name was GIVEN. That would include the message that Jehovah God so loved the world that he SENT his only-begotten Son. He must therefore, accept Jesus as God's Son and the one sent be be the Savior of the world. (John 3:16, 36; 1 John 4:6-18; Matt. 16:16). That we what we preach, and therefore we in come in Christ name. The apostle Paul, who knew what Jesus taught about God's name, said that God was selecting a "people for his name" and then cited the prophet Joel that many will call upon the name of Jehovah. So true Christian will call about the name of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. But they know it will be useless to call upon his name, unless they believe in the name of Jesus.
Witnesses are aware of Luke 10:5-7 states. The immediate context is referring to the apostles entering a new city or town. They would need a place to stay and have meals. Jesus said they should stay at one house only, not "moving from house house". (Christian Standard Bible). Luke 6:10 says one must stay in a house "until you leave from there". A footnote in the New American Bible says the apostles were to stay as a "guest in the house rather than moving to another offering greater comfort", so as not to offend the householder. Matthew 10:5-12, interestingly, does not mention it, but says the apostles should not preach to the Samaritans or pagans. We know that later Jesus said that good news should be preached to all nations (Matt. 28:19). The early Christian church is said to have been active preaching about Jesus from house to house in Acts 5:42. IIn Acts 20:20, 21 the apostle Paul says he preached from "house to house" or in peoples homes. Some have argued that it was only to the elders he preached to. But verse 21 clearly says he preached to Greeks and Jews urging them to repent towards God and to have faith in Jesus. The apostle Paul was an imitator of Christ, and he said he should follow his example (1 Cor. 11:1) Witnesses like the early Christians preach from house to house as well as in malls, street corners, workplaces, etc. You may believe we are not following the method of Christ (as followed by the apostle Paul), but I strongly disagree. Even many Evangelicals, who sometimes attack the Witnesses for preaching, at the same time say the fellow Evangelicals should imitate the Witness zeal in spreading the word. The truth is the only ones bringing the good news to the world are Jehovah's Christian Witnesses. They are the only true evangelicals (bringers of good news). Tell me something, if the original Christian congregation did not start printing the good news on paper, would we even have a NT today?
4. I believe that only those that really believe that Jesus is the Son OF God, that Jesus truly has a Father (Lifegiver), are the true Christians. (compare Matt. 16:16; John 10:36; John 5:19; 1 John 4:8-15; John 6:57; Heb. 5:7-9; John 3:16, 36; John 1:14-17; 2 John 3). Sadly many people claim they believe in the Son of God, but they really believe in another Jesus who is not the Son of God. And they continously reject the clear and repeated statements of the Bible that Jesus is the only-begotten Son of God. (John 3:16)
I truly hope you find my responses helpful.
David2002
