Polskojęzyczna strona poświęcona życiu i twórczości pastora Charlesa Taze Russella
Pastor Charles Taze Russell
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Our Crucified Lord And The Dying Thief

The question is often propounded, Did not the dying thief go with Jesus to Paradise the very day in which they both died? And if so, does not this prove that all in harmony with God go to Heaven when they die, whatever may be the condition of others in death?

 

No, we have made a stupid blunder and misinterpretation of our Redeemer's dying words to the thief. The wrong thought being in our minds we misinterpreted in harmony therewith. And our interpretation has done an immense amount of harm. Thousands of people have been encouraged to continue a life of sin, trusting that with their dying breath they may have the opportunity of saying, "God be merciful to me," and then be immediately ushered into glory, honor and immortality, as joint-heirs with the Savior, and in as honorable a station as those who "have fought to win the prize, and sailed through bloody seas" of trial, persecution and self-denial.

 

What a travesty of Justice to suppose such an application of this principle! For instance, two ungodly persons quarrel. Both draw revolvers and fire; one dies instantly; the other, the worse of the two, lives a moment, in which he says, "God be merciful to me." Then, theoretically, he passes into glory, while his victim, not having the opportunity for a cry for mercy, we are told, by the same theory, is doomed to endless torture.

 

Note the circumstance. Jesus hung between two thieves, one of whom joined with the multitude in railing at Him as an impostor, crying out, "Yes, if you be the Christ, save yourself and us from death." The other, of better heart, honestly admitted his own guilt and the guilt of his comrade, but defended Jesus, declaring that He was innocent. Following this, he addresses Jesus. We paraphrase his words:" Lord, I have defended you against an unjust attack; remember this poor thief if you ever have an opportunity to do a kindness to me in return. I heard you before Pilate say that you have a Kingdom, but not of this Age; some heavenly Kingdom, I therefore presume. I know little about such matters, but from what I have seen of you I can well surmise you King of such a Kingdom. My request is, 'Remember me, when Thou comest into Thy Kingdom.' "

 

To this Jesus replied, "Verily, verily [so be it, so be it, as you have asked]-verily, I say unto thee this day [this dark day, in which it would appear that I have not a friend in Heaven or on earth-this dark day in which I am crucified as a malefactor, a falsifier and a blasphemer-I say unto thee this day], thou shalt be with Me in Paradise."

 

Paradise has not yet come. Messiah's Kingdom has not yet been established; and it must come first before Paradise Lost can be restored and the whole earth be made God's glorious footstool, as He has promised. But when the time shall come, when the Kingdom shall be established, when Paradise conditions shall be introduced, the resurrection of that thief will be in order; "for all that are in their graves shall hear the voice of the Son of Man and shall come forth." The thief will then find himself in Paradise-not merely because of the kindness done to Jesus, but especially because his words indicated a sincerity and honesty of heart such as the Lord is always glad to bless and reward.

 

On the day of their dying all three went to hades, to sheol to the tomb, to the state of the dead. The two thieves still remain there, and are amongst those mentioned by the Prophet Daniel when he refers to those "who sleep in the dust of the earth," who will come forth in the resurrection morning. (Daniel 12:2) But Jesus arose from sheol, from hades, from the tomb, from the state of death, on the third day. He had not been to Paradise, for Paradise is not even yet in existence. He had not been to Heaven, for He had been dead. Let us hear His own words to Mary on the morning of His resurrection: "I have not yet ascended to My Father, and your Father, to My God, and your God." (John 20:17) Could anything be plainer, simpler, more harmonious?

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