What other biblical instances involve visions or revelations similar to 2 Corinthians 12:2? Framing Paul’s Heavenly Experience 2 Corinthians 12:2 sets the tone: “I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows.” Scripture is filled with comparable moments where God pulls back the curtain of the unseen realm. Old Testament Glimpses of Glory • Genesis 28:12 – Jacob’s ladder: “He had a dream, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth… and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.” • Exodus 24:9-11 – Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy elders “saw the God of Israel… and they ate and drank.” • Isaiah 6:1-4 – Isaiah beholds the Lord “high and exalted” with seraphim crying “Holy, holy, holy.” • Ezekiel 1:1-28 – Wheels within wheels, living creatures, and “the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD.” • Ezekiel 8:3; 40-48 – The prophet is “taken by a lock of my hair” in visions of Jerusalem and the future temple. • Daniel 7:9-14 – Night visions of “the Ancient of Days” and “one like a son of man” receiving everlasting dominion. • Daniel 10:4-9 – Daniel encounters a radiant man, collapses, and is strengthened by angelic touch. • Zechariah 3-4 – Night visions of Joshua the high priest cleansed and a golden lampstand with two olive trees. New Testament Revelations • Matthew 17:1-8 – The Transfiguration: Jesus shines like the sun; Moses and Elijah speak with Him; the Father’s voice thunders. • Acts 7:55-56 – Stephen, “full of the Holy Spirit,” sees “the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” • Acts 9:3-6; 22:17-21 – Saul meets the risen Christ in blinding light, then later falls into a trance in the temple. • Acts 10:9-16 – Peter’s rooftop trance of the sheet filled with creatures, redefining clean and unclean. • 2 Corinthians 12:7 – Paul’s “surpassingly great revelations” are balanced by a “thorn in the flesh.” • Revelation 1:10-18 – John hears a trumpet-like voice and sees the glorified Christ. • Revelation 4:1-2 – “After this I looked and saw a door standing open in heaven… and behold, a throne stood in heaven.” • Revelation 21-22 – Vision of the New Jerusalem, river of life, and the Lamb’s throne. Shared Patterns in These Encounters • Divine initiative: God opens the vision; humans do not engineer it. • Sensory overload: light, thunder, heavenly beings, and overwhelming glory. • Commission or message: each vision carries instruction, encouragement, warning, or prophecy. • Physical effect: Isaiah cries “Woe is me,” Daniel faints, John falls “as though dead,” underscoring the reality, not symbolism only. • Authentication: heavenly visions align perfectly with prior revelation—no contradiction within the canon. Encouragement for Today The same God who revealed His glory to Jacob, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Paul, and John is unchanging. While extraordinary visions rest in His sovereign timing, every believer holds the completed revelation of Scripture. These passages invite deeper awe, trust, and anticipation of the day when “we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2). |
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