“I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven..” – 2 Corinthians 12:2 (NASB)

Paul was so overwhelmed by a heavenly vision that he did not know the precise details. However, whether he was Caught up bodily into Heaven, or his spirit was temporarily separated from his body, was not important. This may be a passage that is rather different than most we select. But it gives us a clue about heaven and help answer the question “Where is heaven?”  It is up. Heaven is up. Paul says he was caught up into the third heaven. Jesus reminded us that when He came to earth, He descended, and when He left to go back to heaven, He ascended, (Ephesians 4:10). It’s up. He came down and went back up. The angels told the disciples that this same Jesus who is taken upfrom you shall so come in like manner as you’ve seen Him go (Acts 1:11). When the Lord returns He will come down from heaven and we will be caught up into heaven (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). John was called to “Come up here and I’ll show you heaven.” (Revelation 4:1) When two witnesses during the Tribulation are killed they are resurrected and called to “Come up here” (Revelation 11:12). Heaven is up!

195