The words Paradise and Heaven are used interchangeably and mean the same thing. Some people believe there is a difference, but I think the Bible makes it very clear they are one and the same.
2 Corinthians 12:3-4 NLT
[3] Yes, only God knows whether I was in my body or outside my body. But I do know [4] that I was caught up to paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be expressed in words, things no human is allowed to tell.
Paul believed he was in Heaven. He heard things that were so astounding he didn’t have the words to describe them.
Revelation 2:7 NLT
“Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God.
John was sharing with us the message given to him from God.
Luke 23:40-43 NLT
But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? [41] We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” [42] Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” [43] And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Jesus knew His death was near and He would be in Heaven with His Father. He used Paradise as a synonym for Heaven in Luke chapter 23. Likewise, Paul used Paradise instead of Heaven in 2 Corinthians chapter 12. John recorded the message given to him when he was caught up to Heaven which included the word Paradise instead of Heaven in Revelation chapter 2.
Another term found in the Bible referring to Heaven is ‘Abraham’s Bosom’. It is only referred to once in the story of Lazarus and the rich man.
Luke, a physician, who meticulously interviewed eye witnesses to the resurrection recorded Jesus’ words. The repentant thief would be with Jesus in Paradise or Heaven.
Luke 16:19-31 NLT
Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury. [20] At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. [21] As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores. [22] “Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham at the heavenly banquet. The rich man also died and was buried, [23] and he went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side. [24] “The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’ [25] “But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. [26] And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.’ [27] “Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father’s home. [28] For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don’t end up in this place of torment.’ [29] “But Abraham said, ‘Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.’ [30] “The rich man replied, ‘No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.’ [31] “But Abraham said, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.'”
Abraham’s bosom was used in the Talmud as a synonym for heaven. The Talmud is a collection of writings that covers the full gamut of Jewish law and tradition.
In the Hebrew Scriptures, the word used to describe the place of the dead, verse 23, is Sheol. Or the place of departed souls/spirits.
The New Testament Greek equivalent to Sheol is Hades, which is also a general reference to the place of the dead.
The Greek Gehenna is used in the New Testament for Hell and is derived from the Hebrew word Hinnom.
Other Scriptures in the New Testament indicated that Sheol/Hades is a temporary place where souls are kept as they await the final resurrection.
The souls of the righteous, at death, go directly into the presence of God, the part of Sheol called Heaven, Paradise, or Abraham’s Bosom.
Luke 23:40-43 NLT
But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? [41] We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” [42] Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” [43] And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
2 Corinthians 5:8 NLT
Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord.
Philippians 1:23 NLT
I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me.
The Lake of Fire, mentioned only in Revelation, is the final Hell, the place of eternal punishment for all unrepentant rebels, both angelic and human.
Revelation 19:20 NLT
And the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who did mighty miracles on behalf of the beast-miracles that deceived all who had accepted the mark of the beast and who worshiped his statue. Both the beast and his false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.
Revelation 20:10 NLT
Then the devil, who had deceived them, was thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur, joining the beast and the false prophet. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
Revelation 20:14-15 NLT
Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. [15] And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.
Matthew 25:41 NLT
“Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons.
The Fiery Lake, The Lake of Fire or the Eternal Fire are places of burning sulfur and those in it experience eternal, unspeakable agony of an unrelenting nature.
Luke 16:24 NLT
“The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’
Mark 9:45-48 NLT
If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one foot than to be thrown into hell with two feet. [47] And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out. It’s better to enter the Kingdom of God with only one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, [48] ‘where the maggots never die and the fire never goes out.’
Those who have rejected Christ and are in the temporary abode of the dead in Hades/Sheol have the lake of fire as their final destination.
But those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life should have no fear of this terrible fate.
By faith in Christ and His blood shed on the cross for our sins, we are destined to live eternally in the presence of God.
Much of the information shared in this article was collected from various sources on the Internet.