2 Corinthians 12:1-4; Caught Up Into Paradise

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2 Corinthians 12:1-4 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. 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. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

Can the living be brought into the presence of the eternal dwelling place of God? The Apostle Paul testified that there is indeed a paradise, called the third heaven, the abode of God. It was a visual preview of the eternal abode of the saints. He saw what cannot be expressed in words – inexpressible, unspeakable of what should not or must not be expressed for it is too sacred. [Friberg]

He was “caught up to the third heaven”. The verb “seized” in the passive, being caught up or caught away. He cannot articulate the bodily aspect of that experience, whether in the body or out of the body. It was a very special occasion whereby he was given a glimpse of the heavenly realm. I believe he was helping us to contrast the earthly life of suffering to the heavenly life of eternal blessedness. He wanted to express the reality of a future state of the believers. And this is via the auspices of the Christ Jesus whom he conveyed through the gospel. The ministry established through Christ Jesus is an eternal, everlasting one. There is a glorious consummation to following him and the Christ whom he follows. He “boast” of that glory to enthuse the church to her eternal glory that there may a patient waiting, sobriety and watchfulness for God’s people.

Also, to reject the falsehoods of the enemies of the gospel so that faith is not shipwrecked but duly warned to escape the snare of a false gospel. The stability of the life founded upon truth and trust in that truth. May it be your portion. Amen.