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Two Mortals Who Walked On Earth After Heaven

We often read of someone who had a "near death experience" and claim they went to heaven but were sent back. I personally do not accept that. I do not question their sincerity in thinking it happened but I am quite sure it was caused by medication or some other factor which caused a hallucination. It is not my intention, however to try and show why I make that assertion but rather, give instances of people who actually were in heaven and came to, or back to earth.

We all know without further explanation, that Jesus was of the triune Godhead in heaven through endless ages of eternity, but voluntarily came to live as a mortal man and die here on earth that man might have a means of salvation. The entire Bible is built around this fact. There are prophesies both clear and subtle from Genesis 3:15 on through out the Old Testament until Jesus' birth, then of His own testimony that He came from the Father, etc.

There are, of course, several incidents when God or an Angel of God and others who appeared briefly to various Old Testament Characters in some physical manifestation, but these are not what we have reference to. One of our characters is Jesus as listed above. The other is the Apostle Paul.

Jesus chose His 12 Apostles while here on earth, but as we know, Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus and then hanged himself. The other eleven Apostles later chose another to replace Judas, under the guidance of God (Acts 1:16-26)

It seems apparent that Jesus foreseen the need of an Apostle strong enough to go among the Gentiles and teach them of Jesus and his Kingdom. This particular man was Saul, a Pharisee of the Jews and very strong and devout in their faith. And although he believed that Jesus was a fake and that the church He had started was an abomination unto God, Jesus knew his heart and his strong enthusiasm for doing God's will. So He appeared to him in a bright shining light on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:3ff)

After Saul (Paul) was taught and baptized by Ananias, he began to preach Christ to the Jews in the synagogues. But to be an authorized Apostle for Jesus, one had to have been an eyewitness to Him and be taught by Him. His proclamation of God's word was so plain and dramatic, the Jews desired to kill him which caused him to move frequently to other areas. Saul, whose name was changed to Paul, mysteriously is unmentioned in scripture between Acts 9:30 and Acts 11:25. Whether it was during this period that he was taken into heaven, I do not know, but he tells of such a visit in a letter to the Corinthians later on.

There are several things of great interest in the foregoing scripture. First, it is of extreme interest that he was very hesitant to acknowledge that it was himself to which he had reference. But it is explained in the rest of the text. He did not want to be glorified over this fact, neither to appear to desire to glory or for their attempt to glorify him. This is unlike many today who claim to have been spoken directly to by God. They tell it as the means of their own glory.

Also, it is of strong interest, at least to me, that he could not tell whether or not he was in the body. This being the case, he would necessarily have had to be in the body OR, appear to be and feel as if, he was. We know from other scriptures that flesh and blood cannot enter into heaven. However, it is possible that God allowed it on this occasion or it may reflect the idea that, if he was not in the body, our appearance and self recognition may be the same even though in the spirit.

I find it difficult to accept that last supposition however. If, we should have the same appearance and feel as we do now, where has the lack of pain and so on, gone? And without seeming facetious, I had hoped to look a little better there, than here.

I find another interesting factor in that he heard "unspeakable words" that it was "unlawful for a man to utter". I will have to admit, I have no earthly idea what he may have reference to here. Even if I knew, I would not be able to utter them to you. So, I'm thankful that I do not know. I have heard words of ridicule from some atheists and skeptics concerning Paul. One fellow wrote me a scathing letter one time calling the church, "the church of Paul". I am thankful that I won't have that sort of thing to answer for on the day of judgment. I may have plenty of other shortcomings, but never that.

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