Did Paul actually go to Heaven as some believe after reading II Cor. 12:2-3? Answer: No.
Concerning II Cor. 12:2-3 and Paul’s “vision” we must use Biblical hermeneutics: always read the Bible in context. We need to use the plain and clear verses to interpret and understand any so called “difficult” verse. For further information on Biblical hermeneutics see the One Page Biblical study on Hermeneutics at www.cscog7.org.
Jesus said in John 3:13 “And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the son of man which is in heaven.” Jesus said this. It is very plain and straight forward, no man has gone to heaven.
What about Abraham and David? Abraham the father of the faithful. David, a man after God’s own heart. Are they in heaven today? Abraham is not in heaven today. Acts 7:2-5 Abraham did not receive his inheritance (verse 5). He has not yet received it. Hebrews 11:8-10 and 13. Abraham died and has not received his inheritance. He died, he is dead according to the Bible.
Hebrews 11:39 After naming all the wonderful people in the faith chapter (Hebrews 11) that one would expect to be in heaven the Bible says in verse 39 “And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise. Verse 40 “God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. Abraham and all the listed faithful are dead and awaiting their promise-they are not in heaven today. Jesus did not dispute his enemies when His enemies said Father Abraham is dead (John 8:52-53).
What about King David, the man after God’s own heart? Shirley of all people he would be in heaven. Nope. The apostle Peter, on the very first Christian Pentecost preached directly to the people (you and me are included in the people) Acts 2:29, “Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulcher is with us unto this day.” David is dead and not in Heaven. If there is ANY unclarity we will go even further, quoting the Bible in context Acts 2:34 “For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand…”
Abraham, all the faithful of Hebrews 11 and King David are all dead according to very clear unambiguous scriptures of the Bible. None of them are in heaven today.
Now that we see clearly, we can take a look at what Paul said in II Cor. 12:2 in context.
II Cor. 12:1 Paul says “I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord”. He clearly states he is about to tell of his visions directly from the Lord.
II Cor. 12:2-3 Paul explains his vision was so clear he (as a human) could not tell if he was there in body or mind. The vision was that clear.
We have seen clearly that Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, David, the prophets are all dead and awaiting their resurrection (The Resurrection chapters are I Cor. 15 and I Thes. 4).
What did Jesus say in John 5:37? “And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me, Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.” If Paul was literally in heaven, Jesus was a liar.
Jesus Himself said, “No man has ascended up to heaven…” John 3:13.
Paul had a vision in II Cor. 12:2. Paul did not physically go to heaven but it was such a clear vision he could not tell.
If heaven is not the destiny of the saved of God, what is”? Heb. 11:39.”God having provided some better thing for us,”. To learn what a magnificent future God has made for His family read the One Page Biblical Study entitled “Our Destiny” at www.cscog7.org.
