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This is a common mistake, particularly when one desires to adhere to one’s beliefs. This is classic eisegesis.

Paradise is not Heaven. Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, had and has the choice of the proper words. He chose ‘paradise’ for the thief on the cross, not ‘heaven’.

See here for reference:

http://biblehub.com/text/revelation/2-7.htm

http://biblehub.com/text/luke/23-43.htm

http://biblehub.com/text/2_corinthians/12-4.htm

Words have meaning and God’s words are chosen carefully.

If I were to postulate on what ‘paradise’ is I’d suggest one of the Heavens spoken of by Paul. Remember that Paul’s experience is unclear and whether it was a physical or spiritual one is irrelevant.

Paradise as described in Revelations sounds like a place higher than earth, but lower than Heaven, much like the Garden of Eden was.

Hope this helps. Call on me for all your hardest Bible questions. So far your questions have been very easy to someone with as little knowledge of the Bible as I have.

I love to help you on your journey to Christ.

This is a common mistake, particularly when one desires to adhere to one’s beliefs. This is classic eisegesis. Paradise is not Heaven. Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, had and has the choice of the proper words. He chose ‘paradise’ for the thief on the cross, not ‘heaven’... If I were to postulate on what ‘paradise’ is I’d suggest one of the Heavens spoken of by Paul. Remember that Paul’s experience is unclear and whether it was a physical or spiritual one is irrelevant. Paradise as described in Revelations sounds like a place higher than earth, but lower than Heaven, much like the Garden of Eden was.

We know wherever Jesus was that day, there too was the thief...therefore...

"we now need to locate Paradise. In II Corinthians 12:1-5, Paul speaks of one whom he knew who had marvelous visions and revelations from the Lord. In a vision he was "caught up to the third heaven"—God's throne! "He was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter." Paradise, then, is located in the presence of God's throne."

"In various passages, the Bible describes Paradise. Revelation 2:7 says, "To him that overcometh, to him will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God" (American Standard Version). Observe that the tree of life is in the Paradise of God."

"Revelation 22:1-2 refer to "the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God" (Revelation 21:2, ASV). In this city, we find "a river of water of life, bright as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb, in the midst of the street thereof. And on this side of the river and on that was the tree of life. . . ." (ASV). The New Jerusalem contains the tree of life. In the New Jerusalem, then, is the Paradise of God."
http://www.cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Library.sr/CT/BQA/k/248/Did-Thief-on-Cross-Go-Heaven-with-Jesus-Christ-Luke-2343.htm)