HEAVEN!

 

Tuesday, May 11, 2021

 

HEAVEN!

 

2 Cor 12:2-4

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.

KJV

 

Acts 14:19-20

19 And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.

20 Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.

KJV

 

           Paul was “caught up to the third heaven.” His testimony in Second Corinthians is a bit foggy but it seems clear that the “man” he is talking about is himself. He can’t quite tell if he was in the body or disembodied. He heard things and saw things that, once his spirit returned to his body, he was forbidden to explain.

 

           The most logical event that might have ushered Paul into Heaven was his stoning in Acts 14. The townspeople stoned him and was convinced that he was dead. Perhaps he was! Nevertheless he “rose up” and returned to the city. The brief description in Second Corinthians hints that Paul had died, visited Heaven, and was returned to earth to complete his ministry.

           Everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die! I’ve had enough birthdays to begin thinking about heaven. It is unimaginable and, frankly, unbelievable. That is not to say I don’t believe. I do. Death is so sure and universal, and life is so verifiably real that an afterlife is in everyone’s heart. Every man, except those who are most miserable, and every culture believes in an afterlife of some kind.

 

           Good is so far removed from evil that we believe there must be an afterlife for each. God confirms it in His Word.

 

“The doubters said,

"Man can not fly,"

The doers said,

"Maybe, but we'll try,"

And finally soared

In the morning glow

While non-believers

Watched from below.”

― Bruce Lee

 

Lord, the consequences of unbelief are so terrible that belief, though difficult, is much preferred. Should that which is infinite be completely comprehended by the finite? Confirm in me the hope of Heaven. AMEN