2 Corinthians 12:1-7a (HCSB)
Boasting is necessary. It is not profitable, but I will move on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who was caught up into the third heaven 14 years ago. Whether he was in the body or out of the body, I don’t know, God knows. I know that this man—whether in the body or out of the body I don’t know, God knows—was caught up into paradise. He heard inexpressible words, which a man is not allowed to speak. I will boast about this person, but not about myself, except of my weaknesses. For if I want to boast, I will not be a fool, because I will be telling the truth. But I will spare you, so that no one can credit me with something beyond what he sees in me or hears from me, especially because of the extraordinary revelations.
Even though Paul talks about this amazing experience in the third person, it is clear that he is talking about his own experience, a revelation given to him by God. It is part of his continued “boasting”, which he admits really accomplishes nothing, but which he feels compelled to do because of the attacks of the “super apostles” on his experience and reputation.
In the vision God gave him, Paul talks about being caught up to the third heaven. The rabbis taught that there were, in fact, three heavens. The first heaven was where the birds fly and the clouds float. Today we call the first heaven “sky”. The second heaven was outside the first, and was the home of the sun, the moon and the stars. Today we call the second heaven “space”.
They taught that the third heaven was beyond space and time. It is God’s home, the place where His divine throne exists, surrounded by multitudes of angels. It was the third heaven to which Paul was caught up, the same place to which John was taken during the Revelation (Revelation 4:1-2).
This vision was a key point in Paul’s journey. It had happened fourteen years before he wrote this letter, right around the time he was stoned by the Lystrans (Acts 14:19-20). As God brought Paul near His throne, He showed him and told him amazing things that were designed to encourage him and move him forward out of a discouraging time in his life. Paul was encouraged and received a fresh inspiration that moved him powerfully forward in his ministry. But he never shared the details of the vision with anyone, mostly because he didn’t want anyone to think he was someone special merely because of what God had shown him.
Father, You always give us precisely what we need, right when we need it. Paul needed a vision of heavenly glory to reignite his passion after those to whom he had presented the living gospel turned on him. And what You intended to do through that vision was accomplished in ways that were powerful and effective. Any time Paul grew discourage, he could instantly go back to that moment when he was brought before Your throne and shown such glorious things. That vision was also why he didn’t fear death. He had seen what lay beyond this life, and it was very good. Thank You, Lord, for those watershed moments You place in our lives to help us when the road is hard. Amen.