What If…?
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.
2 Corinthians 12:2
What if you could be caught up to Paradise for ten minutes, and you were able to see the great city of New Jerusalem, smell the fragrant air, and see the burnished streets, the translucent buildings, the glorious light, and the multi-colored flowers? What if you could hear the choirs, the bands, the orchestras, and the songs of praise? What if you could see the throne of God, from which was gushing the crystal waters of the great river that flows through the heart of the city?
And then, what if you were returned to earth for the rest of your life to await your next (and permanent) trip there? That happened to the apostle Paul! He was caught up above the first heaven of the clouds and the second heaven of the stars—all the way to God’s heaven! As Christians we can study all the Bible says about our eternal home and rejoice because we know that regardless of what we face here on earth, we have heaven ahead of us to enjoy for eternity. That should make a difference in how you manage today! What shall we do in heaven?...We shall see and love Jesus, our Savior, Master, and Friend.
J. I. Packer
Turning Point Ministries
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.
2 Corinthians 12:2
What if you could be caught up to Paradise for ten minutes, and you were able to see the great city of New Jerusalem, smell the fragrant air, and see the burnished streets, the translucent buildings, the glorious light, and the multi-colored flowers? What if you could hear the choirs, the bands, the orchestras, and the songs of praise? What if you could see the throne of God, from which was gushing the crystal waters of the great river that flows through the heart of the city?
And then, what if you were returned to earth for the rest of your life to await your next (and permanent) trip there? That happened to the apostle Paul! He was caught up above the first heaven of the clouds and the second heaven of the stars—all the way to God’s heaven! As Christians we can study all the Bible says about our eternal home and rejoice because we know that regardless of what we face here on earth, we have heaven ahead of us to enjoy for eternity. That should make a difference in how you manage today! What shall we do in heaven?...We shall see and love Jesus, our Savior, Master, and Friend.
J. I. Packer
Turning Point Ministries
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