BEN F. VICK, JR.
Contrary to his nature and the Lord’s method, Paul had to answer the false teachers on their level. Second Corinthians 11:22-33 is Inspiration’s illustration of answering a fool according to his folly (Prov. 26:5). It was not something Paul relished but was necessary. Sometimes, in dealing with a false teacher, one must answer the false doctrine and the man.
After listing his record of suffering in defense of his apostleship, Paul said, “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.” (2 Cor. 12:1-4.) It was not profitable or beneficial for Paul to boast; however, he continues to the Judaizing teachers. He then tells of visions and revelations of the Lord. They did not come from his imagination but the Lord.
He said he knew a man in Christ sometime about fourteen years before who was caught up to the third heaven. There are heavens, plural (Psa. 19:1). The Bible refers to three heavens (not seven as the Muslims teach). The one heaven is where the birds fly (Gen. 1:20). Another heaven is where the sun, moon, and stars are (Gen. 1: 14-19; Psa. 8:3). Another heaven is the throne of God is (Isa. 66:1).
Paul could not tell whether this man was in or out of his physical body when caught up to the third heaven. So, one can still be a person whether he is in his body or out of his body. Solomon said that our bodies return to the dust and our spirits to God who gave them (Ecc. 12:7). One does not cease to be when his spirit or soul leaves his body. Jesus went to the Hadean world (unseen realm), but his body was in the tomb for three days. He did not cease to exist during that period. The story of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19ff) shows an existence even after death – for both the good and the bad. God said that he was the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Ex. 3:6; Matt. 22:32). However, they had been dead for centuries; their bodies were buried in the cave of Machpelah near Hebron. Yet, in some sense, they were still alive. Their bodies had long returned to the dust. This man of whom Paul spoke was caught up to the third heaven, but he was caught up to paradise (2 Cor. 12:4). Thus, the third heaven and paradise must be the same in this context.
The word “paradise” is found in two other places: Jesus said to one of the thieves on the cross, “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43.) Also, Jesus said, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him, that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” (Rev. 2:7.) The word “paradise” translates a Greek word (παράδεισος) which among the Persians meant “a grand enclosure or preserve, hunting-ground, park, shady and well-watered, in which wild animals were kept for the hunt; it was enclosed by walls and furnished with towers for the hunters.” (Thayer.) The same source also says it was “that part of Hades which was thought by later Jews to be the abode of the souls of the pious until the resurrection: Lk. 23:43, cf. 16:23…but some understand the passage of the heavenly paradise.” It means “pleasure park.”
The Greek word (ἁρπάζω) translated “caught up” means “to snatch or catch away.” This was a vision that Paul had. It was not a host of people but one man. It was not at the end of the world, but it took place in Paul’s lifetime. It was not a reward but a revelation.
When Jesus said to the thief on the cross, “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise,” it demonstrates that there is recognition in the next world. Otherwise, how would the thief know he was in paradise? How would he know Jesus was there with him? In the vision Paul describes here, the man heard “unspeakable words” that were not lawful for a man to utter. If the soul sleeps when it is separated from the body (if it were separated from the body. Paul did not know.), how would he have heard the unspeakable words?
We hear of people who claim to have died and were brought back to life. They tell or write of their experiences. However, in the first place, resurrection would be a miracle. Miracles have ceased (1 Cor. 13:8-10). Second, the man Paul speaks of was not allowed to utter what he heard. He did not even tell what he saw. However, Ellen G. White, founder of Seventh Day Adventism, claimed that she was caught up in the third heaven and saw the ten commandments with a halo around the fourth (“Remember the sabbath to keep it holy”). How could she report what she saw, but it was unlawful for this man to utter what he heard? This seems a little unfair. Now, I would not say this, but Foy E. Wallace, Jr. said tongue in cheek that God knew that a woman could not keep quiet about what she saw; so, God did not tell White it was unlawful for her to speak about it. (I would add, I have known some men who could not keep quiet either.)