‘Heaven’s Paradise’
‘Cartoon Clouds or Royal Gardens?’ Part 3
Our in depth 5 part series of ‘What Happens When We Die.
By Stephen Bennett 2026 - March
I remember in 2011, when the band Coldplay released their album Mylo Xyloto with the powerful song Paradise. An anthem declaring an ideal; ‘this difficult real world could be escaped through dreams of Paradise.’ It hit a chord with millions of people who sang it loud all over the world. We went to the concert and the light show literally covered the sky in the stadium. It was quite emotional and spiritually stirring. I think all of us yearn for something like a perfect paradise… The Question: is there a real spiritual Paradise. Is it mentioned in the Bible? If so what and where is it? Well, yes, it is mentioned in the scripture several times; the most famous, when Jesus on the cross, promised to meet a criminal that day in Paradise when He died!
Paradise
Jesus was nailed onto the wooden cross and next to Him were two criminals hung on crosses either side. One had no faith, speaking profanity to Jesus, but the other criminal recognised his own wrong doing and saw Jesus was the Lord and an innocent man. The conversation went like this:
‘Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him (Jesus), saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” But the other criminal, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man (Jesus) has done nothing wrong.” Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today YOU WILL BE WITH ME IN PARADISE” (Luke 23:39-43).
The ‘smooth criminal’ asked only one thing; to be remembered. It was a plea and a confession of faith. Paradise is another name for heaven, the dwelling place of God and the eternal home of the righteous and those in Christ. Jesus rewarded the man with a promise of seeing him in ‘Para-para-Paradise!’ If Jesus said it, then it’s real. He knew His death was close and was soon going to His Father in heaven; the criminal would be there in Paradise too.
Paradise did not end when Jesus ascended to the Father in heaven, to sit at His right hand after His resurrection. He relocated Paradise to the Heaven that is there at the moment. Because Jesus said to the criminal on the cross, “Truly I tell you, TODAY you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:42-43). Where He was to sit at His Father’s right hand !
Jesus Went There
‘Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him (Jesus) out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heavenas He went up, behold, two men (angels) stood by them in white apparel, who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven (Paradise)” (Acts 1:9-11).
‘Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven’ (Luke 24:51).‘He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God’ (Mark 16:19).
The original earth Paradise was the Garden of Eden where mankind, aka Adam & Eve, had the first perfect unbroken harmony with the Lord, living without sin and death… until the fall… and oh what a fall it was…!
Paradise now, essentially represents blissful eternal communion with God, being in His presence, in that in-between paradise state after death, (which the criminal was promised for his simple faith). It implies, when you die ‘righteous in Christ’ it’s then the place your soul goes to be with the Lord.
Third Heaven
The Apostle Paul, not wanting to boast, spoke of himself as ‘someone he knew’ in the past, being caught up into Paradise; the ‘third heaven.’ “I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— how he was caught up INTO PARADISE and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter” (2 Corinthians 12: 2-4).
The chapter speaks of the ‘abundance of revelations’ Paul had, but refrained from expressing them, not only that, he heard words that were literallyout of this world amazing! Words he didn’t feel he could repeat. They were beyond human comprehension, things not permitted to be shared, too sacred for his own mere words. The experience was likely to strengthen Paul’s faith at the time, 14 years previous, and to show him the glory of God’s kingdom. He saw that any suffering he would go through on earth, did not remotely compare to the glory of eternity he had seen!
Paradise is also spoken of in Apostle John’s Revelation 2:7: “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; to him that overcomes will I give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” The Paradise referred to, is in the New Jerusalem eternal city; where the amazing eternal tree of life allows you eat and live forever. It is where God Himself lives with believers in Him; the redeemed from mankind. It was a promise of reward for overcoming much testing and coming back to a pure first love of God.
First and Second Heaven
The first heaven is the earth’s atmosphere, where birds and aeroplanes fly in the clouds. God created this heaven on the second day of Creation, splitting the waters that covered the earth at the time. ‘Then God said, “Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.” Thus God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament; and it was so. And God called the firmament Heaven (that is sky, the blue stretched out expanse). So the evening and the morning were the second day’ (Genesis 1:6-8).
The second heaven, is God’s Universe art gallery, where the sun, moon, stars, galaxies hang on display above our earth’s first heaven, blue atmosphere sky.
The third heaven is the current dwelling place of God - Heaven’s Paradise! Paul wrote about this, after being caught up to the third heaven (2 Corinthians 12:2), like when we pray, “Our Father who art in heaven (Paradise)” (Matthew 6:9).
New Jerusalem Paradise Tree of Life
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God” (Revelation 2:7). In the future, this tree of life is in the massive city New Jerusalem, when God makes all things brand new with a new heaven and new earth. The city where we as believers start to live and interact with God Himself in a full eternity.
“And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever” (Revelation 22:2-5).
The New Jerusalem is described as the initial dwelling place of God with humanity in eternity. A city He designed, and made of pure clear gold, adorned with jewels, and twelve gates of pearls; no death, mourning, or pain exists, and God Himself gives the light as there is no night there.
In the city, is essentially the same tree of life that was in the Paradise Garden of Eden in the beginning, where Adam and Eve had their original eternal fellowship with God. It’s amazing how it all comes full circle to a new future Paradise in eternity, where the Lord lives with us permanently day to day in the forever state of an unbroken living presence with Him. A new place that has these conditions of Eden; no more death, mourning, or pain, but peace, freedom and liberty (Revelation 21:3-4).
(Have a rest and check this out: Click this link, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_XyltPHKWY
for the song City of Jewels By Stephen Bennett blog author).
All Things Made New
“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be NO MORE DEATH, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:1-4).
This is actually incredible; a completely new fresh start of everything. In this ‘game’ of life, God the wild Creator made, has finished his first 6000 years of preparation, in readiness for the culmination of the experiment of this current phase of history. But at the end of it, He now has millions of Adam and Eve’s and their children, who have committed their hearts and freewill to trust God and follow Him forever. What creative dynamic future He has for us is the expectation of mystery we can all look forward to; the glorious things he has in store for those who love Him,
The Question: “Do we go to Paradise or Heaven?”
Paradise comes from the Greek word paradeisos, meaning a fine park, or walled royal garden, same as the word Eden (Genesis 2:8-10,16). A delightful dwelling place, protected, blessed, and beautiful. The word Paradise in the New Testament is also a synonym often interchanged with the word heaven, also meaning an Eden Garden of paradise; definitely royal! They mean one and the same thing.
If you are true Christian believer in Jesus Christ on earth, reborn and filled with the Holy Spirit; when you die your soul and spirit goes to the third heaven, as Paul experienced, for Paradise is now with God. Your original ‘human sleeve’ body dies, goes back to dust, and your soul rests with the Lord, awaiting resurrection at the return of the Lord, when our soul arises to receive a new version spiritual body to join the Lord and live forever in a creative eternity.
The question: “Do believers go directly to heaven after death?”
As soon as we die, our souls go immediately into the presence of Jesus Christ, in the in-between state of ‘Paradise Heaven.’ But our souls do not have a glorified spiritual body yet, as our original fallen flesh body will go back to dust (as it must) or be burned up in a crematorium like my mother (see blog part one of this series).
We receive our new spiritual bodies after the return of Jesus and the great end-time resurrection that the Prophet Daniel witnessed in his vision (OT Daniel Chapter 12). Our souls, the real YOU, will be reunited with our bodies, I am sure in an amazing miraculous experience! So it sure is an ‘out of body transition journey!’
This is all overwhelming and wonderful at the same time. No other religion, cult or doctrine comes anywhere near the grace, love and wonder of the TRUE God of heaven…
Do you believe?’ Now is time to prepare for Para - para - Paradise!! Ohh oh oh oh oh… :)
Final Paradise Thoughts
A family friend of ours, fine artist Akiane Kramarik, once told me that music, colours, and dance movement are all one and connected in heaven. There are colours you cannot even describe in our languages. As a young girl she was caught up to heaven and painted what she saw; see her work (https://akiane.com/). Heaven’s Paradise is a place of superior beauty, peace, and eternal joy living in God’s presence, known as the New Jerusalem. ‘And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the Holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God’ (Revelation 21:10).
The literally, ‘out of this world city’ is 1500 miles long, and 1500 miles high, deep, and wide. It came ‘out of heaven,’ which suggests heaven is amazing and beyond massively big. Jesus said, “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:2-3).
Jesus has prepared for us… amazing! No doubt aesthetically creative, very spacious grand places to live in the New Jerusalem eternity; way beyond anything rich here on earth, and that is just the start. Who knows what He has in store beyond the initial New Jerusalem, in His creative eternal world to come. Jesus said He will come again! Jesus second coming is real; He will come back to earth, gather us to Himself, and we will actually live with Him forever. Those days are not far away now.
Apostle John in his ‘movie Revelation vision’ wrote in chapter 21-22; the New Jerusalem Paradise Heaven is a place of breathtaking beauty: Walls of jasper, precious stones, single giant pearl gates, pure gold transparent streets, and a crystal-clear river of life flowing from God’s throne and Jesus the Lamb Himself. The Tree of Life arches that river either side bearing fruit that heals nations allowing for eternal life.
The city needs no lamps or sunshine, as the glory of God gives the light! There is no pain, tears, death, nothing to mourn, and no devil to contend with. God finally lives directly with us, as He has always wanted. Living with His own people, in an atmosphere of the epitome of love, rest, peace and creative vision forever.
The truth is, the Lord also wants us to enjoy the earth while we are here. He made everything good for our good, we just have to be wise people of faith and learn how to navigate this world properly with His wisdom.
Despite the end-times being what they are, don’t let people steal your peace and calm. Be intentional about that, as with everything… according to your faith! God has no limits, and always blesses you so you can be a blessing to others.
The Song
Chris Martin of the band Coldplay has often said, their best songs just ‘arrive’ and they don’t know where they come from! Chris… they come from the very place you sang about! Many musicians, from the classics to now, have experienced hearing, dreaming, ‘seeing’ songs and articulating them on earth. They come by the world of the Spirit, from the Lord! It’s how I have written many songs, poems and creative ideas all through my own life; they come from Him by the Spirit.
Chris wrote Paradise (2011), from the album Mylo Xyloto, after a UK X Factor request for a winner's song to give away. But it was kept for the band. Martin wrote the song in about 3-5 minutes, about escaping a broken, dark period, to offer hope and comfort. The song is about a girl who loses optimism in life, and it also reflected a dark period for the band at the time; representing hope to get up, keep going and find a better place. Martin has seen the song help many people going through difficult times, and he wrote it at a time where he personally felt… everything... was broken within the band… It is often in place of brokenness, when all seems lost, that one’s best work and revelations can appear…
The anthem song of hope, definitely touched the world, and we can be thankful for the positive virtue that Chris and the band have often created in their sounds for the public. This music art also mirrors the art of God. That yes, He has an actual Paradise of hope that exists forever. The hope, motivation and power He gives to humans is free. How? By simple faith and believing in Jesus Christ His Son… The Saviour of the World! That is where you find true clarity, rest, peace of mind, and freedom from all worry and anxieties. When you truly know the source, you realize there is nothing to worry about!
Yes, the real Paradise awaits you! It exists beyond this life of chaos and endings, doing things in our own human strength and effort, and all the excess weight that carries. The smooth criminal on the cross chose to trust God in a split second micro moment. That intelligent freewill choice sent him to a glorious Paradise… I am sure He could not have imagined!
In the future eternal matrix, God has an immense creative plan for those who truly love Him. “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Corinthians 2:9). It is an incredible thought to contemplate!
The God we love and serve constantly prepares good things for us! Even sending us songs He likes!
What songs, what sounds, what creativity is in an eternal atmosphere of calm and peace; free from war, worry and evil?We will just have to wait and see… Para - para - Paradise!! Ohh oh oh oh oh… :)
Written by Stephen Bennett March 2026
Founder / Author / Musician / Creative
ETW Music Collective
(Cover clouds photo by-geralt-heaven-3335585_1920.jpg-pexels)
Please read Stephen’s book Prophet Musician - As I have Called You. Chapter 7 for a ‘movie’ journey style and study of what True Worship is all about (See ETW Store).
Final Thoughts for today…
None of us have been in the end of the end-times before, with all the invasion of technology we experience on every level of life.
We read about the end-times in the Bible, but now we are actually here, our journey is to understand and learn to navigate it all, know where we need to be with Jesus, to be true worshiping believers in an ever darkening world.
We must be ready as God’s Bride to be true sons and daughters of God, ‘led by the Spirit’ (Romans 8:14). One day soon we may not be able to play the games of church religious protocols as we have known. How will we stand?
Global societal shifts and changes are accelerating at exponential rates in this world. The world is at war on every level. We all need understanding how to navigate the chaotic and pressured times now and ahead of us as true worshipping believers of Jesus Christ.
Despite everything; be intelligent, wise, critical thinkers, and continue living out your faith on earth while we can, because it will all end one day. Yes, as you know, we all die, but humans were designed to be eternal; and we can with Jesus Christ live forever. May you now emerge and find truth!
If you’re in struggle street of any kind, God has a family / church / company of people / tribe / a place where you’ll fit; ask God and he will show you.
(Feedback, questions, please email… info@endtimewriters.com or DM @etwcollective instagram / Stephen Bennett FBook).
It’s a New Era of History
In 2021, I wrote a prophetic blog stating; ‘we have now transitioned in this time of immense change, into a New Era of History, both in the world at large, and in the Church.’
Things have never been the same since the plan-demic, and will not be ever again. These are the last of the last days…
‘ANew Awakening’ has emerged in the world now, and the TRUTH of the gospel is being preached everywhere like never before. Jesus is exposing the falsity in deceptive religion and the Body of Christ. Now, March 2026, everything is moving forward rapidly. Not just in spiritual awareness, but millions of people are well informed and awakened to the lies, deceptions and agendas of this world, and again, false religion parading the world’s streets, that were, and still are being enforced upon humanity, as wars increase in the Middle East and we inch closer to the end. (read the blog at the link)
(https://www.endtimewriters.com/blog/a-new-era-of-history-begins)
Book to Read
Please read Stephen’s book Revelation - The Terrible and the Good. Be clear for yourself about the days we live. (Written in a creative, movie style, in the first person of Apostle John) (See ETW Store).
Resourceful Details
“But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers”1 Peter 4:7.
Jesus said; ‘For the things concerning Me have an end’ (Luke 22:37b).
‘He (Jesus) who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”’Rev 22:20.
A few songs from the ETWMC
Our epic cinematic song from the ETW Music Collective
‘RAIN’
‘Play loud through a great headset or speakers!’
Sound Cloud (at SC site click RAIN icon and play)
‘Australia and America for Breakthrough’
‘Written, By Stephen Bennett, 2002, 2026. Produced, By David Holmes X-HO Music Studio, 2026 Sydney, Australia. Co-Producer, Executive Producer Stephen Bennett. ETW Music Collective.’ (see descriptions below the videos on YouTube for more details and lyric list)
Australia for Breakthrough
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAFPIQI7iTY
America for Breakthrough
https://youtu.be/NlEsdNzFWmc?si=lAtqf9ihEwMgFZta
(Now click this link,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qggEoRnDLQ
for the song Ariel by Stephen Bennett, blog author).
(Now click this link,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DrwH0L-oEg
for the song Future Dreams by Stephen Bennett, blog author).
(Now click this link,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnoetmLcz6U
for the song In the Fire by Stephen Bennett, blog author).
(Now click this link,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxtB4jKGZ5w
For the new music video version of ‘Hear the Sound’ by Stephen Bennett, blog author.
Author Books
The Arts Series
(Buy on our Australian website or from our publisher in the USA at the links below in USD)
Stephen Bennett Author of - Prophet Musician - As I have Called You
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/Prophet-Musician
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/The-Divine-Artist
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/The-Poetry-Packages.
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/Prepare-and-Arise
@etwcollective - Instagram. Or @endtimewriters
ETW Music Collective TV – youtube
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR0fL_f6LRQz4mroRwN8PRQ
awesomecitytv - youtube
https://www.youtube.com/@AwesomeCityTV
E: info@endtimewriters.com
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PRAYER OF FAITH: The Call to give your life to Jesus Christ!
No matter where you are in your Christian walk, Jesus is with you; in your triumphs and trials, to the end! If you have never known God; know this;
“Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world (ages)” Amen’Matthew 28:20. ‘
“But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And the gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.’Matthew 24:13-14.
Pray this prayer from your heart and your spirit will come alive to God, for with him there is hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).
“My Father in heaven, I give you my life, I repent of all my sin, recreate me brand new. I give you my heart. Fill me Lord Jesus Christ with Your Holy Spirit. I believe You died for me on the cross, and by Your shed blood, you washed away my sins once and for all. Raise me from my deadness of my life to live a new life, just like you Jesus, when you were raised from the dead; I believe you did that. Make my spirit reborn, and let me come alive too, filled with Your Holy Spirit.”
“I believe I belong to you Lord. Help me to know you well, teach me Your ways, that I become all that I am meant to be. Help me to love and find love. I thank you Lord that you will always be with me, Amen.”
If you have genuinely prayed this prayer to Jesus Christ, in your seeking of God, or you’re coming back to Him, DM Instagram or FB or email info@endtimewriters.com. Talk to other Christians you may know, and seek to find a solid believing Church where you can grow.
(Click-link, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHZiIah2glY for the song 23by Stephen Bennett, blog author. From Psalm 23 to minister peace and hope to you… ‘The Lord is my shepherd / I shall not want).
Best and Blessings – ETW / ETWMC Team
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