374 - Les Feldick Bible Study Lesson 1 - Part 2 - Book 32 - Paul's Glimpse of Glory - Part 2

https://lesfeldickbiblestudy.com Through the Bible with Les Feldick LESSON 1 * PART 2 * BOOK 32 PAUL'S GLIMPSE OF GLORY - PART 2 II Corinthians 12:2 Now if you will go back with me to the Book of Deuteronomy Chapter 4. Remember the first heaven refers to our atmosphere. Now if we can come back to II Corinthians we will find that Paul will delineate the third Heaven as being Paradise. Again we will chase down some Scriptures on Paradise. But for now II Corinthians Chapter 12, and going on into verse 3. II Corinthians 12:3,4a "And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) 4. How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful (or permitted) for a man to utter..."(or repeat) Jesus is speaking. Matthew 12:39,40 So everything concerning Paradise in the Old Testament economy until after Christ's resurrection was down to this area in the center of the earth. We get another little window of that in Luke Chapter 16:19. 22. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23. And in hell..." Hell in the Old Testament in the Hebrew word was 'Sheol,' in the Greek it was Hades, in English it's hell. Do you mean that Jesus when He died went down into hell fire?" Luke 16:23-31 "And in hell he (the rich man) lift up his eyes, being in torment, (he was an unbeliever) and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. (two believers) 24. 25. But Abraham (he, too, is in hell, but not in the torment side but rather the Paradise side.) said, `Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 30. And he said, `Nay father Abraham; but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.' So remember in hell at that time one side was torment and the other side was Paradise. Luke 23:42,43 "And he said unto Jesus, `Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.' 43. And Jesus said unto him, `Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.'" Now since the atoning Blood had been shed and Christ has spent these three days and nights in Paradise, now look what Paul says happened. Ephesians 4:8-10 Well those believing Old Testament saints. They were held in the Paradise side of hell waiting for the atoning Blood. Now come back with me to II Corinthians Chapter 12. Now when Paul says that when he went up to Paradise, you see this is confirmation of the fact that Paradise is no longer down in the center of the earth, but now it's in glory. In fact let's look for a moment at II Corinthians Chapter 5. It has been ever since Christ ascended. II Corinthians 5:8 Paradise! Because Paradise is now in Heaven as we understand Heaven. Now coming back to Chapter 12. Paul has now gotten a glimpse of Heaven as we normally think of Heaven. Now, evidently, Paul had full exposure to all this. II Corinthians 12:4 "How that he was caught up into paradise, (into the third Heaven) and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter." Now verse 5. II Corinthians 12:5,6 What's Paul saying? If God had permitted him to repeat what he had seen and heard, what would the human race have done with the apostle Paul? The apostle Paul is just as human as you and I. Never does Paul expect worship from any of his converts. He's not God. Well if Paul could have rehearsed with any of his people, or even to the Roman world in general, of what he had seen and heard they would have fallen down and worshipped him, so God wouldn't permit that. Romans was probably written about 10 years after Paul got a glimpse of glory. Romans 8:18 Because no matter what we suffer even if we suffered to the extent that the apostle Paul suffered, we would still be able to say, "Oh but it's worth it because of the glory that is waiting for us." I feel every word in this Book is Holy Spirit breathed, but remember, as men wrote their personality, their personal feelings were also evident. I Corinthians 2:9 What a promise, and God can't lie. I think Paul was just bursting to tell us what he had seen back here in II Corinthians Chapter 12. Now coming back to II Corinthians Chapter 12. To make sure that Paul never forgot what does God do? Gives him a thorn in the flesh. II Corinthians 12:7 II Corinthians 12:7b Do you know what Paul is actually calling here this thorn in the flesh? It was as if he was constantly suffering crucifixion. Those matterly eyes effected his eye sight as we see in the Book of Galatians. Galatians 4:15 Galatians 6:11 Blind people. #lesfeldick #biblestudy #bible