THE THIRD HEAVEN

^[p. 431] THE THIRD HEAVEN

Paul says he had visions and revelations for which he was caught up to the third heaven (2 Corinthians 12). The possibility of reaching the heavenly is thus indicated now. He was there, in the body or out of the body he knew not, but he also speaks of paradise. He was capable of naming, showing intelligence to name what he had experienced-he says “third” heaven. Why “third heaven”? It is proof of the thing experienced, not testimony. If proved by one man-for he does not speak as apostle there-it is open to every true christian. Inference is a thing proved by a man in Christ, the use of the word ‘man’ shows full consciousness, having all the sensibilities active. It is brought down here and belongs to the treasury of God retained by the Spirit. The idea of heaven has been experienced: there is the first heaven, then the second, an intensification of the thought; this the astronomer never sees. The second involves what is spiritual, the third the thing is proved. He heard unspeakable things, which he kept for fourteen years; he kept them for the treasury of God without mentioning them, but it entered into the wealth of his ministry. I am aiming at conveying the thought that heaven is a reality and within the range of the believer.