Where is the paradise Jesus promised to the thief on the cross?
The paradise Jesus promised the thief is in the center of the earth, in Hades, on the comfort side separated by a great gulf from torment. Before Christ's atoning blood, Old Testament believers went there, not heaven, because animal blood could not remove sin.
Les explains that Hades, or hell, is defined by Abraham as a place with a great gulf fixed. On one side is torment, and on the other side is paradise. Before the cross, all believers from Adam onward went down to paradise, not heaven, because the atoning blood of Christ is the only thing that removes the stain of sin, and animal blood could not take it away. They were saved for eternity but not ready for God's presence. The only exceptions were Enoch and Elijah, who went up. The lost from all ages go into the torment side. When Jesus told the thief, "today thou shalt be with me in paradise," He was speaking of that place in the centermost part of the earth, as He said in Matthew that He would be three days and three nights in the center of the earth. Paul confirms this teaching.