I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. 3 And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— 4 was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell. 2 Corinthians 12: 2-4
I’ve heard a few messages from men who have had experiences in heaven. Jesse Duplantis, Roberts Leardon, Don Piper, and here’s a brief account from Paul. All of them were changed. Ruined for the ordinary, thirsting for more of God, transformed with a divine purpose.
I reckon when Paul was being persecuted, beaten, imprisoned and going through trials, he was remembering being caught up in the third heaven, and thinking, “I’ll be there soon! And I want to bring as many with me as possible!” There will be inexpressible things. The Lord has gone there to prepare a place for us.
I heard Jerame Nelson say to read revelation 3 and 4 over and over and God will give you a glimpse of heaven. This is the normal Christian life, visions of heaven, of angels, prophetic dreams, and they are not just to give us a buzz. But to spur us on to bear fruit. We must examine the fruit of our lives and check our fruit, Jesus said by our fruit we will be known.
In worship when I was 18, I had a throne room experience, I saw a great throne, what I could only describe as Metallic looking fire flaming around the One who was sitting on the Throne. I saw Angels dancing and twirling around the Throne. And I felt light shining through my entire being, and I felt weightless. I wanted to stay there forever. It was what I was made for. I stayed on the floor of my church till 11pm that night. I have never been drunk, but I sure felt drunk that night. It was a foretaste, a glimpse of God’s Glorious presence in heaven. I can remember it so vividly.
I have only had a few experiences like this, I long for more! And all I know is I want to live so that Christ’s power may rest on me, and I may bring heaven to earth, and bring as many to heaven with me as I can.
Lord, today I fix my eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. I eagerly await our time together in eternity. Anoint me to bring heaven to earth today, in all I do. May the things of this world grow strangely dim, in the light of your glory and grace. Amen.