I know that this man was caught up into paradise …
Summary: There are places we cannot go on our own. Sometimes we have to be lifted up by others if we are going to get there. God sent the Lord Jesus so that we might all be lifted up to heaven.
As a small child, being “caught up” by my dad and lifted into the air was a fun thing. Being up high, I could see the world from an adult’s point of view. Instead of looking up and seeing the underside of the kitchen table, I could look down and see the top.
When I was about five, my dad took me up in his airplane. He loved to fly and when I was growing up, he always had a small plane. It was his hobby and his recreation. While mom and my brothers stayed on the ground, we climbed into the small Luscombe two-seater. The Luscombe was the equivalent of a small sports car in the airplane world.
Once inside, Dad taxied out to the grass runway and, after the pre-flight check, pushed the throttle full open. The engine noise filled the little cabin and after a few seconds of bumping along the grass, we lifted up into the air. Within minutes, I was “caught up” in the clouds.
Freed from the two-dimensional restrictions of moving on the ground, the little airplane was free to travel anywhere. We zoomed through the air as if we were a bird. Dad flew up into the puffy clouds and we floated into a place totally different from the world below. The sky looked like crystal and the clouds… were ethereal.
If God wanted to show a man what heaven was like, he would have to do something similar to lifting up a child or carrying someone into the clouds. Heaven is not a place we can get to on our own, yet it is a place.
On that first flight with my dad when I was very small, we enjoyed flying for a while, but eventually, we had to land. It was not possible to live up in the clouds where the air looks like glass and the white landscape of clouds looks perfect and unsoiled. Back on earth, we did the things that earth people do. We moved along the ground and looked up at the clouds, much like a small child looking up at the underside of the kitchen table.
Whoever was caught up into paradise, whether it was Paul himself or someone he knew, God was showing that person a place that was real, but very different from earth. Since we can only see dimly from the earth, Paul needed to be shown what he was fighting for. He needed to know that heaven is real.
Heaven is real! Paul and the Apostles endured suffering and death to deliver God’s message to us: Heaven is real!
Application: Study God’s Word diligently to understand what he is talking about.
Food for Thought: How would it change you if God chose you to “catch up” to paradise for a visit?
I liken it to being shipwrecked on a deserted island beach, and one of the members of the party leaves and is gone for days. When that person returns they tell us that there is food, clean water, and a radio over a tremendous mountain on the other side of the island with only one path that goes directly over the mountain. Some may believe and some may be skeptical on what is there, but the one who saw it will be driven to travel with no doubts as to the validity of what they saw. That person would be unwilling to accept their circumstances because they would KNOW there is LIFE on the other side. They would actively and earnestly try to get the other members of the party to join them on the journey. That person would tell the others “No, you don’t need to bring your suitcase, there is nothing in it you will need, and it will only distract and weigh you down.”
I believe that is how it would change you if God chose you to “catch up” to paradise for a visit. You would KNOW what awaits, and what is important for the journey. More importantly, you would want to make sure everyone in the party makes it there.
I’ve never been “caught up” but I have lived in a life of pain for many years before God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit showed me a life where I could be free from it or the effect of it. That little glimpse of heaven in my heart bolsters my faith and drives me to move toward Heaven, discard my “suitcases”, and seek others to join me on the journey.
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
Chris,
Your illustration about the mountain is excellent and your comment about not needing a suitcase is very helpful. It is a good reminder that God provides for our needs and we can trust him.
I would probably hate being here. I imagine that most of us would, otherwise God would do it more. It may be a terrible thing to say that paradise there may make this world feel even less tolerable, but I think it’s true.
Just think of the modern world vs the world of old. Many people can’t fathom living without a dishwasher simply because they have experienced having one everyday. What about a toilet, running water, preheated water, a gas stove, a car, a light switch? Which of us, if we went back in time would feel motivated to tell everyone about the inventions to come? Well, there are some I could picture trying to explain them. But who would feel like they could not function? Every basic action is altered.
How much more would we feel incapable of action after experiencing paradise?
I’m sorry, but I really think that God made heaven a vague concept for most because we can’t handle the sinful world if we truly understood what a sinless world is like. But knowing, or rather having faith, that heaven is real, God is inviting us to live there when our job is done here. That is what can motivate me. When I see that place, I want to stay, but for now just knowing that I’ll see it one day is good enough.
A –
You make a very interesting point. It is very true, too. You remind me of Acts 9: 15-16 where God has this to say about Paul:
“But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
Perhaps part of the suffering was living here on earth after having seen what heaven is like?
I suppose another question is…..
Was this on his mind when he made the statement ‘for me to live is Christ and to die is gain’?
Because that might be easier to genuinely say after seeing heaven.
A –
Another good point! To die is gain for all of us, but it is unlikely that someone who hasn’t seen what heaven has to offer would think to say such a thing.
It seems as though I can’t even get caught up here on earth, I would wonder why He would even want me to be caught up there.
I am not sure how it would change me if He chose me to be caught up in heaven since He has already chosen me through the blood of Jesus to be seated at His table in heaven. I am humbled by His love with His display throughout the Bible. I am thankful to read and be able now to understand His word, I get caught up in there quite a bit.
During this meditation I thought of a joke I was told back in high school, what did the big tomato do and say to the little tomato that was lagging behind, the big tomato turned around and smashed it and said, Ketch-up
Out of line again here but I thought I had to be the one to break ranks and add a bit of humor to catch up with Jeff. Not a chance in heaven, I am sure you would have the angels rolling in laughter if they are not already with your humor. Just saying,..thanks again,..
John,
I don’t know what to say. There is no “topping” you! 🙂
Some very interesting points and illustrations in the devotion and comments.
Obviously it motivated and impacted Paul. He even says that it is due to this vision that God gave him his thorn in the flesh – to keep him from being prideful (2 Corinthians 12: 5 – 10). Whether on earth or in paradise – our lives are anchored in Jesus and His grace is sufficient.
But we should have our hearts and minds set on heavenly things because that is our destiny and where Christ is seated. Keep looking up because He is coming back for you (Colossians 3: 1 – 4; John 14: 1 – 3; Luke 21: 28; 1 Thessalonians 4: 15 – 18).
Thank you, Rich!
Good advice and encouragement!
11-10-2022, How would it change you if God chose you to “catch up” to paradise for a visit?
It would be the most incredible, humbling experience a human could experience. It would be only by the power of God that I could survive. I see this in Paul’s word’s written in 1 Corinthians 12:2-5 also.
Ron,
You remind me of the passage in Daniel, chapter 10:
15 While he was saying this to me, I bowed with my face toward the ground and was speechless. 16 Then one who looked like a man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak. I said to the one standing before me, “I am overcome with anguish because of the vision, my lord, and I feel very weak. 17 How can I, your servant, talk with you, my lord? My strength is gone and I can hardly breathe.”
Hey Jeff,
That’s what I feel. Not from fear of punishment, but knowing what I am in the presence of our Holy God.
So very thankful for Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit as He convicted my heart.
Ron
🤗