As he produces yet more evidence of his apostleship, Paul again shows his reluctance to glory. 

(1). He considers it unbecoming to do so but must in the circumstances.

(2). He speaks of himself in the third person, 2-5, though it was himself he was referring to, verse 7.

(3). This is the only time he has made a reference to this incident.

We are told that this experience took place some 14 years previously, ie, about AD 44. That would have been some 7 years after his conversion and just before he commenced his first missionary journey, Acts 13. What better preparation for his labours than such a vision as this! It is the counterpart of Isaiah's experience in Isaiah 6.

I. THE DETAILS OF PAUL'S HEAVENLY EXPERIENCE

Here are matters worthy of the closest study.

1. What Paul saw centred upon the Lord. Verse 1. The word revelation means an uncovering. There was a further revealing of the Lord to Paul. This is ever what the Lord would do for us — increase our knowledge of Himself. The ultimate revelation is to that end, 1 John 3:2 (1 Cor 1:7, 2 Thess 1:7, 1 Pet 1:7). We can ever gauge the so-called revelations given to men by John 16:13-15.

2. To know more of the Lord we must be caught up to heaven.

(1). The words caught up mean to carry away by force. Earth and its environs hinder communion with God, Col 3:2. He was brought into God's dwelling place, third heaven. How such a place is forgotten by men!

(2). We need a power to take hold of us and carry us heavenward. Paul do not mount heavenward by his own power. We ought to pray for the Holy Spirit to so work powerfully in our souls.

(3). God's heaven is paradise — a garden. What sin robbed us of, Christ will restore.

3. Paul's silence on what he saw is to be noted. He deemed it not lawful for him to tell what he saw. How this contrasts with the false revelations men boast of! This is the only instance of one going to heaven and returning and yet he tells us nothing of what he saw. Remember, Moses and Elijah did not speak to the disciples, Luke 9:30-31.

(1). We are reminded that religion is a very personal matter. Our knowledge of the Lord must be gained for ourselves, John 1:39. 

(2). Were heaven to be revealed to sinful men, they would reject it as incomprehensible and incredible. After all, Christ manifested heaven and men reject His witness.

(3). There are yet boundless truths for the saints to learn and see.

(4). It is required of us to walk by faith and not by sight. The reward is not shown to us nor are we fully told what it is. We are to live and act in confidence in God's word.

(5). We have all the truth regarding God and His heaven that we will ever have this side of heaven. The day will soon come for the saints to know all. The day of the sinner realising that he has lost heaven, it is utterly beyond his reach, is also coming soon.