I just wanted to comment here because "To day" could also be "a To day" (from it's particular beginning to end) that is a very long period of time (and not just a 24 hour period of time) too, even as it is written, "As long as its called To day" (harden not your hearts) right? So there is that backdrop to a "To day". Just as Jesus Christ is the same, "Yesterday, To day, and Fo rever" (the first two are not 24 hour periods of time, and the last one obviously isnt).
Besides, I dont even think it's necessary for a person to physically die to go to paradise if Paul himself said that he knew such a man who was caught up into paradise (whether in the body or out of the body) he could not tell.
This is an interested reply although it doesn't really address my post at all, or the points made therein. But nevertheless, it is interesting.
I think, according to the what the Scriptures actually say along with the reality of our life in this world, that it is much simpler than you promote. "Yesterday, could mean any time that is past, or the day before "to day". And Tomorrow could mean any time that has not yet come to pass, AKA, "Future", or the day after "to day". This is demonstrated in the scripture over and over.
But "To day", is used in the KJV 71 times. And in Every Instance, it refers to now, today, this day. Please consider what I have found to be undeniable truth.
In this world God placed me in, I have been given "Power", by God, to "DO" things. Eat, walk, speak, serve, etc., etc. But I find that the power God gave me only exists "To day" or "Right Now". I have no power to "DO" anything yesterday, nor have I any power to "Do" something tomorrow. The only "TIME" I have any power to serve, worship, honor, lie, steal, cheat, is "NOW".
This is undeniably true. I might be able to "see" the Past though film, pictures, books, etc. And I might be able to "See" the future, with visions. But I have no power in them to obey, disobey, repent, sin, nothing. The only time I have any Power to worship God, Glorify Jesus, "Yield myself to God" or "Harden not my heart", is NOW. "To day".
So then, given these undeniable Truths, when God inspires His Word to tell me, "To day, if you hear God's Voice harden not you heart", I know HE is speaking to the "NOW". Not times past, times future. And in His Tender Mercy HE has given me many "Nows" or To days in which NOT to harden my heart, and those examples God had written for my admonition did, spoken of by Paul in 1 cor. 10.
The same would apply for the Words of God, "Jesus Christ, the same Yesterday, "To day" and forever. This means that no matter how many "Nows" God has given me, no matter how many "To Days" I have been given, the Jesus "of the Bible" is the SAME.
If you disagree with this understanding, please show in scriptures where it is taught against.
As for Paul's vision, I agree that there are several men who had a vision of Paradise, who had not yet died. Elijah, Moses, Jacob, Joseph, Daniel, Ezekiel, Ananias, of course Paul, Steven, John, etc. I'm sure there were more.
Please consider; Jesus died, the thief died, Lazurus died. Abraham died, the rich man died. There is nothing in Scriptures that teaches that these men "went to Paradise" upon their death, or the same day as their death. Jesus was dead for 3 days. The Bible said HE was the First Man to be raised from the Dead and Changed. And that was 3 days and nights after HE died and was buried.
That is why Jesus didn't tell the thief that he would be with Christ in Paradise "Today", being the "DAY" of His Death. Because HE was dead for 3 days. To preach that HE did, as "MANY" of this world's religious promoters, who call Jesus Lord, Lord, preach, is a denial of the very Words of the Christ Himself. That is why, when Every Word of God in this matter is examined, the CLV is the correct Translation, and the text should read, "Verily, to you am I saying today, with Me shall you be in paradise."
And when Jesus comes back, as the Scriptures teach, the "Dead in Christ" shall rise first. The thief, Abraham, Lazurus, Steven, and all the Faithful with be raised from the dead. That is my hope in this life.
Now you know this is taught against by this world's religious system "who come in Christ's name". This is why Jesus warned us to "Take Heed" that we are not deceived by these "Many".
I am simply a nobody who has separated myself from this world's religious system, for over 30 years now. And I advocate that men stop listening to all the "other voices" in the garden God placed us in and trust the Words Jesus said to Live by. If you find that this understanding of Scriptures is not supported when all of God's Word is considered, then please show me. After all, the Holy scriptures are profitable "
for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness".
