Rahab's Red Rope, page-12

The transfiguration was a vision of Christ’s future glory in Kingdom power.
Being a vision it did not mean that Moses and Elijah had returned to life, they were in the grave.
It was a vision.
Jesus said Truly I tell you today, you will be with me NOT IN THE KINGDOM, but in Paradise. Luke 23:43

This promise differs from what Jesus has told his apostles,namely,that they would sit on thrones with him in the Kingdom.However this Jewish criminal may have heard about the earthly Paradise that God had originally provided as a home for Adam, Eve and their descendants. Therefore this robber died with that hope before him.