Where did Christ go After His Death on the Cross?
Upon his resurrection, Christ told Mary Magdelene,
"...Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" (John 20:17)
Here Jesus tells us plainly that he has not returned to his Father, yet. God the Father is in Heaven where his throne is (Matt. 5:34) Christ therefore, had not been back to Heaven yet, because he not returned to the Father yet. Again, paradise and heaven are two distinct, separate places.
In summary we see that,
1.) There is a place appointed for all people to go after death. (Luke 16:22, implied)
2.) The righteous to paradise (Abraham's bosom) (Luke 16:22)
3.) The evil to Hell (Hades) (Luke 16:23)
4.) The righteous shall enter heaven (Matt 5:10)
5.) The unrighteous shall be cast into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:14-15)
6.) Jesus declared that he would be in paradise after his death (Luke 23:43)
7.) Jesus declared that he had not ascended back to the Father in Heaven after his resurrection (John 20:17)
We do know from the book of Acts, though, that Jesus did ascend into Heaven (Acts 1:11). We also know that he has given all authority in Heaven and in Earth (Matt. 28:18) And we know that he is now seated at the right hand of God (Col 3:1, Romans 8:34, Acts 7:56) We also know that Jesus has been made both Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36) Therefore, it is imperative that we obey the words that Christ left us, the Bible. John teaches us in I John 2:3, that "We know that we have come to know him IF we obey his commands." Obedience to Christ is the only thing that will enable us enter Paradise when we die and to enter eternal life in Heaven after judgment.