Accordingly the Bible states that "flesh and blood can not inherit the kingdom of God". Meaning one has to die first, obivous. Now 2corinthians12:3 states, Paul speaking, " And I knew such a man, whether in the body, or out of the body, I can not tell; God knoweth". 4.." How he was caught up into paradise......"
Paul is saying that he was taken to the 3rd heaven, (age). Did Paul die at one time, before he finished his ministry? Does the book of Acts record his death in chapter 14 verse 19.
Is that why God gave him a infirmity, so he wouldnt boost?..Thank You.
2006-10-15 15:02:33 · 12 answers · asked by Royal Racer Hell=Grave © 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
thanks BC...showsthat you use common sense in understanding scripture.
2006-10-15 15:23:22 · update #1
Paul was describing a vision experience. It may have been his own, but he speaks of it as if it were someone else's.
2006-10-15 15:18:14 · answer #1 · answered by BC 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
First there are at least 2 examples in the old testament where people were taken up to be with God who did not die.
Enoch (Ge 5:21 to 24) - (Heb 11:5 makes it clear he did not experience death)
Elijah (2Ki 2:11)
Second the the very passage you quoted (1Co15:50) makes it clear that we will not all be dead when we are are carried up to heaven (v51). Paul is addressing some of the false understanding of the Corinthians who are concerned about a physical resurection (v35).
Third - the Kindgom of God is NOT the same as heaven, but rather refers the establishment of the Church, with both a physical and heavenly component.
Thus it is incorrect to say that you have to die to go to heaven.
However the real issue is whether Paul died to experience what he refers to in 2Co 12:
Paul is refering to a vision (possibly even the one on the road to Damascus) where he came into contact with God. There is no neccessity that he had to die for this to happen. Think of John in Revelation where he comes before the very throne of God while "in the Spirit" (Rev 4:1-2) , with no indication that John died and was resurected.
It may be that Paul had this vision while "unconcious" after being stoned and as such doesn't know if he truely died "hence the in the body - out of the body" statement.
However, I wouldn't try making anything out of it. Paul makes it clear that it was the revelation that might make him conceited - and therefore not the possibility that he was resurected.
Hope this helps
2006-10-15 15:37:48 · answer #2 · answered by Sean P 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, Paul did not die when God showed him the 3rd Heaven. God most likely used a vision or a dream when he showed Paul. Just like John had visions of the end times in Revelations. Jesus actually appeared to John and Jesus showed John, which then John wrote down what he saw.
God didn't appear to Paul, Paul would of been dead if he saw God, but I believe God showed Paul through either a vision or a dream.
2006-10-15 15:08:03 · answer #3 · answered by sanctusreal77 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't have to die to Leave your Body and Visit Planet Heaven.
The Silver Cord will keep your Body Alive untill you come back to the Earth and get Inside of it again.
The Thorn in Pauls side was an Angel of satan, sent to Buffet Paul and keep him out of Walking in Revelation Knowledge.
Walking in Revelation Knowledge makes you Strong Against the Devil, thats why the devil attacked Paul so much.
2006-10-15 16:30:10 · answer #4 · answered by maguyver727 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Paul's vision of "such a man" was so real, that he himself could not discern whether what he saw was real, or a dream. Since Paul did not die until the end of Acts, we should assume that it was a dream.
2006-10-15 15:18:40 · answer #5 · answered by Bob L 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Enoch and Elijah were not taken to heaven
Jesus said no one has ascended to heaven except him that ascended from Heaven.
Enoch was transfer so as not to see death.
God allow Enoch to die in such a way that he didn't know what was happening.
Elijah was taken not to heaven but to Judah
He even wrote a letter later to Elisha.
2006-10-16 08:35:11 · answer #6 · answered by TeeM 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Death Record Search Database : http://DeathRecordsInfo.com/Support
2015-08-20 18:13:21 · answer #7 · answered by Marco 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many have argued that the letters from Paul, whose works pre-date the gospels, depict a spiritual and metaphorical resurrection rather than a literal rising from the dead.
2006-10-15 15:25:33 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You misread the quote. St. Paul said that he **KNEW** somebody who "was caught up into Paradise...." in other words, it was someone else: not St. Paul.
And as for how St. Paul died: he was Martyred, by beheading.
2006-10-15 15:14:03 · answer #9 · answered by clusium1971 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Paul saw somebody else taken up.
2006-10-15 15:05:52 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋