Heavens and thorns. 2 Corinthians 12.

Not for the last time, Paul writes a couple of thoughts down that leave us intrigued and uncertain as to his exact meaning. Let's take a look at these and see what we can discover, and whether what remains covered really matters.

"It is necessary to go on boasting. Though it is not profitable, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago (whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows) was caught up to the third heaven. And I know that this man (whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows) was caught up into paradise and heard things too sacred to be put into words, things that a person is not permitted to speak. On behalf of such an individual I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except about my weaknesses." (2 Corinthians 12:1-5 NET)

The first question that I have when I read this is, who was it that went to the third heaven? It must be Paul, based on his getting the thorn in the side. Consulting a couple of outside resources, the use of the third person is appropriate when talking about such an intimate God-moment. Second question is what's this about a third heaven? Followed by, is this "paradise?"

Stepping back for a minute, it's important to recognize that all of these issues are not Paul's main point. His writing about these visions is the end of his earlier litany of all the things he had experienced in the service of Christ, in contrast to those of his opponents. So we get one more clue to his opponents' statements which must have included boasting about visions and revelations they had received.

Back then to this idea of multiple heavens.

Dragging out a concordance, or better yet, using a computerized search, we can quickly discover all the places where the Greek word for heaven, ouranou, is used. Pretty quickly, it's apparent that there are three ways it is translated: air, sky, heaven or heavens. In usage the use of heaven may be a substitute for saying God, as in "kingdom of heaven" instead of "kingdom of God". But it's primary uses are in identifying the atmosphere -- where the birds are; outer space -- where the stars are; and heaven -- where God and the angels are. This corresponds to OT usage, where God is said to reside in the highest heaven.

The word paradise is used only two other times in the NT. Jesus says on the cross that the criminal crucified with Him, who acts in repentance, that "you shall be with Me in Paradise." The other place it is used is in Revelation 2:7, where Jesus refers to the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God. So, this place, too, is where God (and Christ) is.

Our conclusion then, is that Paul is talking about a sacred revelation in God's presence. Not merely a word of prophecy, or a vision or dream, but a spiritual transportation to where God is. He confesses to not understanding how the mechanics of the experience, but he does attest to its sacredness.

Let's turn now to the thorn. Interestingly enough, Paul says that God allowed this thorn to be placed and refused to remove it, to counter any pride that might result from Paul's sacred experience in God's presence. Further he says it is from Satan. We're left with a couple of questions? Was this a literal thorn (or splinter)? The phrase sure sounds metaphorical. Was it a physical affliction? A troubling situation? A person, perhaps one of those who constantly opposed Paul, even one or more of those causing the problems in Corinth? No one knows for sure. But we already have at least three useful facts about it, based only on the context.

What about our concordance? Out of luck here, or maybe in luck. The Greek word, skolops, isn't used anywhere else in the New Testament. The English word thorn/thorns, however, is, and is the translation of two other Greek words. This may help us understand that splinter or stake is closer to the correct translation as opposed to thorn, and that the phrase really is metaphorical.

Here are our facts:

1. God allowed Paul to be afflicted.
2. The affliction was evil -- it came from Satan.
3. The affliction served the purpose of keeping Paul humble, especially from the pride of his specially received revelation.

There's a big bunch of theology in those three statements. Here's one theological thought: God is sovereign -- Satan was "allowed" to afflict Paul. Here's one more: God wants us humble so He can better work through us. Your turn.

In the end, do we know what the thorn is? Do we know for a certainty if heaven has a structure apart from the three usages we discovered? The answer is no in both cases. But do we have an understanding of what Paul's point is, and what God's point through Paul is? I think so.