p. 35 | TO-DAY by Frank Stark

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 1, 1877

TO-DAY

By Frank Stark

Much stress is laid on the “to-day” of Luke 23:43, as it is supposed to refer to the time that Christ and the thief should meet in Paradise; but did either of them enter Paradise that day? Jesus told Mary two days after, that he had not yet ascended to his Father; and from the united testimony of Rev. 22:1, 2; 2:7; and 2 Cor. 12:2-4, we learn that the throne of the Father, to whom Christ had not yet ascended, is in Paradise. Here is positive evidence that Jesus did not enter Paradise the day of crucifixion. Did the thief enter Paradise that day? Scripture does not speak of him after this mention. Certainly it will not be claimed that he entered there before his death. Did he die that day? We may judge of the probabilities of the case from the length of time persons usually lived after crucifixion. Here is a testimony to the point, a comment on Mark 15:44:—

“Pilate was at first surprised at the request of Joseph, thinking it highly improbable that he [Jesus] should be dead in so short a time. He had, indeed, given orders for the soldiers to break the legs of the crucified persons; but he knew it was common for them to live many days after that operation was performed; for, though the pain they felt must have been exquisite to the last degree, yet, as the vital parts remained untouched, life would continue some time in the mortal body.”—Sacred Biography and History of the Bible, by Osmond Tiffany, p. 437.

The only reasonable explanation of Luke 23:43, is, that our Lord used the phrase “To-day” to give force to his assertion, in accordance with Scripture usage, as in Zech. 9:12. Verily, I say unto thee to-day, thou shalt be with me in Paradise [when I come into my kingdom]. FRANK STARK.