It is quite true that some Scripture texts imply that the bestowal of the final reward or punishment takes place at the Second Coming of Christ in the General Judgement (Matthew 25:31). They do not, however, show that the Beatific Vision, and therefore the essence of heavenly bliss, is not granted to disembodied souls. It is indeed true that final blessedness and consummated glory are bestowed only when the soul rejoins the body. Only then, and not before, will our complete humanity receive its ultimate perfection and joy, and our blessed Lord’s words will be fulfilled: “Come, ye blessed of my Father, posses ye the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” On the other hand, it must be remembered that Christ on Good Friday was asked: “Lord, remember me when thou shalt come into thy kingdom,” and answered: “Today thou shalt be with me in Paradise.” It is noteworthy that Christ did not use in his reply the phrase “in my kingdom,” as the request of the Penitent Thief suggested. The fullness of Christ’s kingship and the complete establishment of his kingdom takes place when, as Man, he will rule over men in heaven. His sway over disembodied souls is not the full manifestation of his royalty. Nevertheless, before that day the Blessed will be with him in Paradise. The precise extent of the paradisial bliss with Christ the Scriptures do not define, though they suggest that it includes substantially and in essence man’s great reward.I’ve always been told that Jesus decended to the dead (or pergatury) before His Reseruction and Assention 40 days later. So that would be the day when Jesus first went to heaven, correct?
However, he told the prisoner that “This day you will be with me in Heaven?”
contradiction?