Third Heaven?

    Have you ever had a third heaven experience?  Most people haven't, but the Apostle Paul did.  He wasn't sure if he was in or out of the body but he did experience it. The experience was so awesome, he could not describe it and felt it almost illegal to do so.  I don't think he left his body or did some sort of astro-travel.    I personally think he went into an exalted realm of God such as few, or any, have gone.  I think Paul had a worship experience beyond the ability of his flesh and mind to comprehend. Have you ever had a third heaven experience?  I have not, but oh, I would like to.  Yet, I have been in some high places in God that left me without speech, without adequate words to relate it to anyone, even to myself or even legs to stand upon.  Should I try to tell it, words fail.

   When you have been in a high place in the realms of God, it is instant addiction.  You want to go again and you can't.  You order your life to try to make it possible, but that is all you can do.  Some places, some experiences in the realms of God are open, by invitation only. You cannot just walk in here, you have to be ushered in by the Holy Ghost.  Perhaps this verse references such an experience,  "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered",  Ro. 8:26.  One translation says, concerning the groanings, as unutterable gushings of the heart.    That is the experience of one called of God, in the process of loving God with all his being, and his spirit is so overwhelmed  it begins to groan.  Ever had that deep groaning within?  The only thing close to it, for me, in the natural, is when  my beloved Beverly and I have been apart for an extended time and then we get together.  No words adequate, we just groan and hold one another close.

     Perhaps such an experience is that "taste" of the world to come that Hebrews mentions.  Who can explain that?    "Oh taste and see that the Lord He is good", said the Psalmist.  I can't tell you what the taste is like, except that it is "good".   For me, the experiences of this nature have started with joy beyond expression.  Joy, of course, happens to be a sure mark of His presence (Ps. 16:11).   Joy, in the natural, or the spiritual, is a definite intimacy enhancer.  I would marry my wife again, just to hear her laugh if for no  other reason.  Of course,  I know some believers have never had  a high place experience with God and may not want one.  They are content with simple salvation security, you know, like an insurance policy you have that says just in case there is an afterlife, you are covered.  They will, of course, think I am crazy should they read this.  But, if you are one who has tasted, you want more.  How do you get to such a place?  I know of no actual formulas to take you there, but the wisdom of the Scripture is that we are to be ever filled and stimulated with the Holy Ghost until praise oozes from our very being (Eph. 5:19).  No "little dab will do you" theology.  Drink and keep drinking.   And, learn to rejoice.  Joy attracts God for joy is His atmosphere (Ps. 16:11).

   One other thing about high place experiences with God.   It might, as it did with Paul, bring you a thorn in the flesh attack from the devil.  Such a demon came after Paul with a design to keep him from ever being exalted to such a place again.  Some foolish readers think  this attack was from God and was about being Paul being exalted in pride.  Nah, don't think so.  If you have that level of pride, you won't have that level of heavenly experience.  It won't happen.  If Paul had such a level of  pride, I  seriously doubt God would have used him to write so much of the Bible.  No, it was not about pride, it was about worship.  It was about being in the presence of God at a breath-taking level.  To worship God is the ultimate goal of God for us, and you can rest assured, at any level, there will be thorn in the flesh activity to keep worship at a minimum, ritualistic level.  Again, I make no claims to have ascended to Paul's third heaven level, but I have gone high enough to have the devil come at me with ferocity such as I had never seen before. Still, though I suffered as never before, I wouldn't trade those times with God for all the world could offer. The memory of His presence soothes the hurts and leaves me wanting only to touch Him again.  And, as with Paul, God's grace has been more than enough, sufficient, ever since.

   I am reminded of a Don Potter song. "Show me your face Lord, show me your face. And, gird up my legs that I may stand in the holy place. Show me your face Lord, show me your face.  I can make it to the end, if I can just see your face".  Somehow, that expresses, for me, the feeling of having been some place with God and wishing you could be there again.  Oh, I will.  I will be there again.  It is just a matter of time.