The Thief in Paradise by Allen Moon

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Dec 15, 1914

FromSigns of the Times, Volume 41, Number 49

The Thief in Paradise

By Allen Moon

The thief was not with Christ in Paradise on the day of the crucifixion. The day ended at sundown, and the thief was not then dead. When the soldiers took him down from the cross at the beginning of the Sabbath, they had to break his legs to prevent his escape.

Besides this, on the third day after His crucifixion, Jesus had not yet been to heaven, for He said to Mary, “Touch Me not; for I am not yet ascended to My Father.” John 20:17. Therefore the thief could not have been with Jesus in Paradise on the day when this promise was given.

Jesus could, however, give the thief the assurance, even on that day when He hung upon the cross, and to all human appearances had no power to give salvation to any one — even under such circumstances He could assure the repentant thief that he should yet be with Him in Paradise. “I say unto thee to-day, Shalt thou be with Me in Paradise.” Luke 23:43. ALLEN MOON.