A Vision Of Heaven

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In 2 Corinthians 12:1-12 (TLB), Paul shared an experience that happened 14 years earlier. He was taken up to heaven, and this was the account of his trip:

This boasting is all so foolish, but let me go on. Let me tell about the visions I've had, and revelations from the Lord. Fourteen years ago I was taken up to heaven for a visit. Don't ask me whether my body was there or just my spirit, for I don't know; only God can answer that. But anyway, there I was in paradise, and heard things so astounding that they are beyond a man's power to describe or put in words (and anyway I am not allowed to tell them to others). That experience is something worth bragging about, but I am not going to do it. I am going to boast only about how weak I am and how great God is to use such weakness for His glory. I have plenty to boast about and would be no fool in doing it, but I don't want anyone to think more highly of me than he should from what he can actually see in my life and my message. I will say this: because these experiences I had were so tremendous, God was afraid I might be puffed up by them; so I was given a physical condition which has been a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to hurt and bother me and prick my pride. Three different times I begged God to make me well again. Each time He said, "No. But I am with you; that is all you need. My power shows up best in weak people." Now I am glad to boast about how weak I am; I am glad to be a living demonstration of Christ's power, instead of showing off my own power and abilities. Since I know it is all for Christ's good, I am quite happy about "the thorn," and about insults and hardships, persecutions and difficulties; for when I am weak, then I am strong-- the less I have, the more I depend on Him. You have made me act like a fool-- boasting like this-- for you people ought to be writing about me and not making me write about myself. There isn't a single thing these other marvelous fellows have that I don't have too, even though I am really worth nothing at all. When I was there I certainly gave you every proof that I was truly an apostle, sent to you by God Himself, for I patiently did many wonders and signs and mighty works among you.

Some lessons we can learn from these verses:

From The Verses	Lessons To Learn
14 years ago	Not currently and not a daily event
I don’t know	Paul was not sure of his physical state of being in the vision
They are beyond a man's power to describe	Therefore no details given
I am not allowed to tell them to others	Not authorized to share
Something worth bragging about, but…	Can elevate pride
I don't want anyone to think more highly of me	Can promote self
God was afraid I might be puffed up by them	God wants to protect us from egoism
Each time He said, "No....."	God speaks plainly. Yes or No; Yea or Nay
But I am with you; that is all you need.	Jesus is all we need - the Living Word.
I am glad to be a living demonstration	Living epistles read by all men
I patiently did many wonders and signs and mighty works among you.	Deeds more substantial

In early 1990, I have met a certain man in Taiwan who met death a few years before then. He was dead for 8 days but was resurrected on the ninth. He had a motor accident. His sister went to the Prayer Mountain to ask God to resurrect him since he had not yet received the salvation of Christ. Through a series of traumatic events from the mountain to hospital after hospital, the frozen body was revived. As the accident was very severe, he was hospitalized for 6 more months. When I saw him on the same Prayer Mountain, located between Taipei and Taichung, he was without any scar. He brought me to his hometown where I met his lovely wife and son. He shared with me that he saw hell. I did not press him for the details. The more important thing was that I had already witnessed heaven: a new creation right in front of me!

I had also heard another person sharing his trip to heaven. I listened to him a second time many years later. The account was being blown out of proportion. I should have recorded the earlier unadulterated affidavit so that it should remain true, pure and simple throughout time.

For in the multitude of dreams and many words there is also vanity. But fear God. Ecc. 5:7

If Apostle Paul cannot describe heaven, let's learn from him. Furthermore, let's ask God for His permission if we want to share those "details" with others. He may say "No!." Paul was not allowed to share.

Please also read:
Dreams And Visions
A Moment In Time
Information Overload
Revelation Explained