An Unforgettable Experience

 •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 9
And, what is still more remarkable, he tells us of an experience, the like of which was never known before nor since. In 2 Cor. 12:1-51It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. 3And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) 4How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. (2 Corinthians 12:1‑5) he tells how he was caught up to the third heaven, not knowing, so intense was the bliss of his experience, whether he was in the body or not; that he heard unspeakable words, not lawful to utter on earth. Of this wonderful experience he wrote, " And lest I should be exalted above measure, through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Cor. 12:7-97And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:7‑9)).
And what was still more remarkable, he had kept this surpassingly wonderful experience secret for fourteen years, and only mentioned it when driven to do so in re-butting the attack on his God-given apostleship. Was this like vanity or self-conceit? Far be the thought!