Tuesday,
January 16, 2024
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
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 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
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