The Cost of Vision 2 Corinthians 12:1-6
2 Corinthians • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 2 viewsWhen someone really goes to heaven…
Notes
Transcript
Our text today is where (obviously Paul) “died” and was shown paradise. A reminder Paul is establishing his Apostle cred (cred not creed) all the way through 13. Lets read it
1 It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—4 how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5 Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. 6 For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me.
This brings up so many questions, thoughts, etc. Hopefully we’ll answer a number of them as we examine this section of verses.
1 It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord:
If boasting did any good, the folks would've already known this - and acted accordingly. But Paul is being directed by the Holy Spirit to share this, so we can see what this is about. Paul is trying to shut the mouths of the false teachers by putting the truth on display.
Visions, revelations. The thing we have to know is many visions biblically aren’t just dreams but pictures put on display to show them truth and things we cant see in this flesh. The cost of vision is 1-6, the cost of revelation in 7-10. We will just examine the Cost of Vision today. Paul has received visions before
Acts 18:9 “Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent;” Acts 23:11 “But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.””
2 Corinthians 12:2 (NKJV)
2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven.
It seems pretty obvious that Paul is talking about himself but seeking to be “humble” about it speaks as another person. Bragging is already breaking his heart.
what happened 14 years ago? Would've been sometime in the years a.d. 42–44 before Paul’s missionary journeys reported in Acts. He had been beaten nearly or to death often (v23).
Paul was thought dead in Lystra, Acts 14:19 “Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead.”
Paul was raptured (caught up is from the same verb harpazō used in 1 Thes. 4:17 of saints at the Rapture) Put up third heaven graphic. The 3 are listed here. And in the state that he was in, he couldn't tell if was physical or spiritual event.
3rd heaven - spiritual, Psalm 2:4 “He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision.”
2nd heaven - What we often call outer space Genesis 1:16–18 “Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also. 17God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth, 18and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good.”
1st heaven - our sky - also where Satan has rule at the moment (the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience Eph 2:2). Genesis 1:20 “Then God said, “Let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens.””
3 And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—4 how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
Again Paul states he doesn't know if this is Spirit or real but he knows what he saw.
Not just the third heaven, but Paradise. Not Abrahams bosom from Luke 16 where we saw a holding place for the righteous dead. This is the place that Jesus took the thief, Luke 23:43 “And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.””
The fulfillment of promises - Revelation 2:7 ““He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ’”
What a wondrous thing in the midst of such pain, and Paul got a pre-rapture rapture tour. Of which Paul doesn't describe and even says the words cant be mentioned here.
Note, no description, no dead relatives, no gold, no cool stuff. Just words that he that are inexpressible - arreta - (only here) cannot or must not be spoken. He doubles down by saying they aren’t lawful to be spoken, exon - authorized, permitted.
Yet, so many false visits are given after this. We’ll explore that a little more at close of the message.
5 Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities.
Paul refers to this one as to say the only things I can really brag about, are my weaknesses. Not the fake ones when we get interviewed and they ask us what our weaknesses are and we say we care too much or work too hard, lol. Paul will talk about real issues in 7-10.
This brag indicates a glory that “someone” could really promote themselves with, but that they wanted instead to focus on Jesus. By pointing at failings shows dependences on Christ.
6 For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me.
Are we any different? We promote and buy books by the millions that say 5 minutes in heaven, 10 minutes in hell, etc.
Paul is like I don’t care where you been, but where you are. Who do you promote? What are you selling?
Paul doesn’t want people looking at him, but through him to see Jesus. If he shares everything, they would praise him, not see the gospel but be impressed by the man. The corinthians were like babies, constantly needing to be entertained. 1 Corinthians 14:20 “Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.”
Paul is really good at being a spirit filled man - 1 Corinthians 14:18 “I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all;” Philippians 3:4 “though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so:” but the point isn't Paul. Only where he looks like Jesus - 1 Corinthians 11:1 “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.”
Where are we looking? Do I need to stand up here, laying hands and knocking folks over? Do I need to sing or shout in tongues? Do I need to dance like david danced (hoky dance) or do we need to see Jesus? Crucified, dead, risen. Why?
3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 4 and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.
The resurrection is the core of Christianity. By it all others faiths are shown to be false, that we have not a baseless hope, but a real one. Here is a just a few reasons of why because of Jesus we can live...
1. Mercifully - the cross covered it all. We are truly forgiven, from beginning to end.
2. Meaningfully - we are not accidents of a dumb universe.
3. Powerfully - if death is just the next step into eternal life, I cannot lose. I live I win, I die, I win.
Jesus is the Way, Truth, Life. Come to Him now.
Closing - False visits - heaven and/or hell.
Closing - False visits - heaven and/or hell.
There are many who peddle false experiences to promote themselves and get money or influence. Here are just a few.
Watch (Video) Now what are the results of this?
Unprovable, unreliable, contradictory stories.
Distorts and manipulates scriptures view of heaven/hell
Self-centered. Elevates the person (Demotes God), Colossians 2:18 “Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,” gives false authority.
Necromancy (communicating dead), demeans resurrection.
Encourages unbiblical theology/error/doctrine. Not sound.
Encourages lack of discernment/doctrine
With all this its why Paul didn’t use it. Paul didn't want to share this, after 14 years had never revealed to them. Even spoke of this as happening to someone else. We will see more of his humility in 7-10 should the Lord allow next week.
Pray