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The Apostle Paul writes. . .
I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows (2 Corinthians 12:2, ESV).
In this passage, Paul describes a man (figuratively speaking about himself) being taken into the third heaven — the first heaven, the sky; the second heaven, the stars; and the third heaven, God’s dwelling and our future home.
Paul continues. . .
He heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter (2 Corinthians 12:4).
This man (Paul) heard things that could not be expressed, and I assume that he saw things that cannot be described. But personally. . . personally. . . I think that the Apostle Paul makes muted references to his “third heaven experiences” in a few of his other letters.
It’s not difficult to imagine that if we went to heaven and saw the unimaginable that we would make references, as best we could, from that time forward in our conversations and emails (today’s equivalent of letters).
I think Paul does the same, and I list several passages below that I believe were inspired by Paul’s “third heaven experiences”. . .
First
Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us (Romans 8:34).
While other passages mentioned Jesus at the right hand of God (Colossians 3:1), no other passage mentions what Jesus does at the right hand of our Father. I believe Paul saw Jesus at the right hand of God praying for us!
This vision of Jesus praying with no time limit in eternity, and probably mentioning all the saints’ names (including ours) throughout history continually before God …
Indescribable!
Second
For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away … For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known (1 Corinthians 13:9, 10, and 12).
Perfect means completion.
When seeing the result of the glorification of Jesus, Paul could only say, “We see things dimly now, but wait until we see Jesus face to face,” as he knew that when we see Jesus, we will fully know His purposes while discovering that He does work all things to the good.
Incomprehensible!
Third
And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together (Colossians 1:17).
Science now knows creation came in a single event — matter, energy, and even time. Boom! They existed.
In the third heaven, Paul saw this singular event of creation and continued sustainability, all emanating from the throne room, lasting throughout time to be consummated in eternity.
Paul saw what Newton, Einstein, and all the great mathematicians continue to figure out.
Unimaginable!
Indescribable, incomprehensible and unimaginable — and I know Paul had many other third heaven experiences. By faith, very soon, we will all see what Paul saw.