Power for Abundant Living

The Bible is the Word of GodVerily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou bewith me in paradise.Some translations have the comma after the word"today" so that is read, "Jesus said unto him, Verily Isay unto thee To day, thou shalt..." The King Jamesputs the comma before "today" while other translationsput the comma after "today." Why? Becauseone group teaches that the moment one dies, he goesto heaven, while other groups teach that the momentone dies, he does not necessarily go to heaven forthere is a period before going to heaven. If there is awaiting period between death and heaven then Hecould not say to that malefactor, "Today you aregoing to be with me in heaven," for the malefactorwould have had to wait a duration. On the other handothers say man goes to heaven immediately afterdeath so that comma before the word "today" fits inwith their theology.If a man is going to heaven today, heaven must beavailable. Some teach that heaven is available. If theyhad studied The Word, they would know that heavenis not available. However, this verse talks about paradiseand paradise is not heaven. Heaven is heavenand paradise is paradise. When the Word of God says"paradise," it means "paradise." Paradise is present inGenesis chapters 1 and 2, at the end of which paradiseis no longer accessible. It is not again available134