THE THIRD HEAVEN

THE THIRD HEAVEN!

2 Cor 12:1-9

12:1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.

3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)

4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.

6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Paul had been accused of boasting and, indeed, he had much to boast about if he focused on his lineage and education. Because of the accusations Paul is forced to tell this story as if he were talking about another person. It is clear, however, that he is speaking about a vision that he personally experienced.

Paul had kept this vision secret for fourteen years. Some say that the vision probably was given to Paul when he and Barnabas had traveled to Antioch to collect alms for the poor saints in Jerusalem (Acts 11:25-26). It was on this journey that Paul met a prophet named Agabus who foretold of a great famine.

The Jews talk of seven heavens and Mohammed borrowed these and went on to make them absurd. Paul speaks of the third heaven (the heavens above the stars) as the abode of God. There it was that Paul saw and heard things that it was unlawful for him to talk about! As a reminder, Paul was given an aggravating physical condition to combat pride.

HEAVEN IS A PLACE OF GREAT BEAUTY!

Rev 21:19-22

19 And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;

20 The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.

21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.

22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.

HEAVEN IS A PLACE OF PURITY!

Rev 21:27

27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

HEAVEN IS A PLACE OF JOYFUL ACTIVITY!

Rev 7:14-15

These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.

Every time his “thorn in the flesh” caused him pain, Paul could close his eyes and smile because he had seen the third heaven. Every time he was tempted to retire due to weariness he could remember the liberating strength of the third heaven. Every dank dungeon that held him fast could not wipe away the memory of the beauty and purity of that third heaven. Therefore, he said, I will glory [boast and rejoice] in my tribulations. Each difficult earthly situation had an opposite heavenly circumstance.

Paul is there now. He has finished the good fight of faith. If we are saved we will join him soon to enjoy the beauty and to serve the One who sits upon the throne.

Dear Lord! Let me pass through the events of this day thinking of the third heaven and the One who dwells there. AMEN