Refuting the claim using Jesus's reply to the thief that there are now saints in heaven

 
Catholic Apologetics use this verse to prove that the saints are now in heaven.

Luke 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

REFUTATION:

If this is true, It will imply that Lord Jesus went to paradise with the thief after His body died on the cross.

But after Jesus died, He went to the prison of spirits as mentioned in 1 Peter 3:18-19.

When Jesus said those words, It does not mean on that day he was crucified, The thief will go to paradise with Christ.

He said it TODAY that the thief will go to paradise BUT NOT ON THE DAY ITSELF.

We must remember that all dead servants of God will be raise by Lord Jesus on the last day as mentioned in John 6:44.

THE STRONGEST PROOFS THAT THERE ARE NO SAINTS YET IN HEAVEN ARE:

A) St. Paul said that no any dead saints will go first to paradise

1 Thessalonians 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him


1 Thessalonians 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

In these verses, it say that similar fate like of Lord Jesus Christ will happen to the dead servants of God.

They need to in the tomb and then they will be raise too.

B) All dead saint did not receive the promise

Hebrews 11:39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:

The promise is the eternal life

1 John 2:25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.

C) Lord Jesus will prepare for them first a place for his servants and He will return to take them where He originally came (the paradise)

John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.  

John 14:2 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.

John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.  

John 14:4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.