Pauls Vision

Paul‟s Vision

Paul‟s Vision2 Corinthians 12:2-10

Paul‟s Vision

On September 21, 1823, Joseph Smith had a

“vision.”

Paul‟s Vision


“vision.”◦ “A personage appeared at my bedside, standing in the

air, for his feet did not touch the floor . . . . Not only was

his robe exceedingly white, but his whole person was

glorified beyond description . . . . [He] said unto me that

he was a messenger sent from the presence of God to

me, and that his name was Moroni; that God had a

work for me to do.”

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◦ Obviously, we cannot believe Smith‟s claims.

Paul‟s Vision









◦ Obviously, we cannot believe Smith‟s claims. Such visions have ended.

Paul‟s Vision









◦ Obviously, we cannot believe Smith‟s claims. Such visions have ended.

The message of Smith‟s “visions” contracts the message

of Jesus‟ apostles.

Paul‟s Vision

But, in Paul‟s day, many did receive revelations from

God.

Paul‟s Vision


God.◦ It seems that many well-meaning Christians had

trouble separating the claims of true visions & the

claims of visions like Joseph Smith‟s.

Paul‟s Vision





◦ In Corinth, some false prophets were upsetting the faith

of some.

Paul‟s Vision





◦ In Corinth, some false prophets were upsetting the faith

of some: “If someone comes and proclaims another

Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a

different spirit from the one you received, or if you

accept a different gospel from the one you accepted,

you put up with it readily enough” (2 Cor 11:4, ESV).

Paul‟s Vision

These false prophets apparently wanted to discredit

Paul.

Paul‟s Vision


Paul.◦ In the final four chapters of 2 Corinthians, Paul defends

himself against the claims of these “super-apostles.”

Paul‟s Vision


Paul.◦ In the final four chapters of 2 Corinthians, Paul defends

himself against the claims of these “super-apostles.”

◦ “I was not at all inferior to these super-apostles, even

though I am nothing. The signs of a true apostle were

performed among you with utmost patience, with signs

and wonders and mighty works” (2 Cor 12:11-12, ESV).

Paul‟s Vision

2 CORINTHIANS 12:2-20

Paul‟s Vision

These false prophets were apparently boasting about

receiving so-called “revelations” from God.

Paul‟s Vision



Paul basically says, “They boast about revelations.

Let me tell you about a real revelation I had from

God.

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God.

Paul writes in the third, rather than the first, person.

Paul‟s Vision





God.

Paul writes in the third, rather than the first, person.◦ This was a common method among the rabbis in order

to avoid pride.

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God.


to avoid pride.

◦ The context makes it clear that Paul speaks of himself.

Paul‟s Vision





God.


to avoid pride.

◦ The context makes it clear that Paul speaks of himself.

Why else would God send a “messenger of Satan” to

torment Paul unless he himself received the message?

Paul‟s Vision

GOD’S MIND

vv 2-4

Paul‟s Vision

“I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was

caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body

or out of the body I do not know, God knows. And I

know that this man was caught up into paradise—

whether in the body or out of the body I do not know,

God knows—and he heard things that cannot be

told, which man may not utter” (vv 2-4, ESV).

Paul‟s Vision

Both of Paul‟s epistles to the Corinthians are laden

with sarcasm.

Paul‟s Vision


with sarcasm.◦ As Paul defends his apostleship, it‟s quite clear that the

“super-apostles” were boasting about their position.

Paul‟s Vision



“super-apostles” were boasting about their position. “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord” (10:17, ESV).

Paul‟s Vision



“super-apostles” were boasting about their position. “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord” (10:17, ESV).

“Whatever anyone else dares to boast of—I am speaking

as a fool—I also dare to boast of that” (11:21, ESV).

Paul‟s Vision




◦ Paul says, quite tongue-in-check, “I must go on

boasting” (12:1, ESV).

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boasting” (12:1, ESV). Paul then “boasts” about the vision he received.

Paul‟s Vision





boasting” (12:1, ESV). Paul then “boasts” about the vision he received.

But, in his boasting, Paul can‟t say if the experience was

in or out of the body & he can‟t repeat what he heard.

Paul‟s Vision

Paul‟s point in his mock boasting is to say: “There‟s

no point in boasting about what one can do or what

one has seen, for it‟s God who determines those

things.”

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things.”◦ Paul had no idea whether he experienced “the third

heaven” “in the body or out of the body.”

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heaven” “in the body or out of the body.” How could we

know?

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know?

◦ What things did Paul hear?

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know?

◦ What things did Paul hear? Paul heard “things that cannot be told.”

Paul‟s Vision






know?

◦ What things did Paul hear? Paul heard “things that cannot be told.” KJV: Paul “heard unspeakable words.”

Paul‟s Vision






know?

◦ What things did Paul hear? Paul heard “things that cannot be told.” KJV: Paul “heard unspeakable words.”

This simply means that Paul cannot tell what he heard, for he heard

things “which man may not utter.”

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know?


God knows what Paul heard in “the third heaven,” but we

don‟t.

Paul‟s Vision






know?


God knows what Paul heard in “the third heaven,” but we

don‟t. Paul knew what he heard in “the third heaven,” but

the Corinthians didn‟t.

Paul‟s Vision

GOD KNOWS MUCH THAT WE DO NOT KNOW.

The point:

Paul‟s Vision

“The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but

the things that are revealed belong to us and to our

children forever, that we may do all the words of this

law” (Deut 29:29, ESV).

Paul‟s Vision

“The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but

the things that are revealed belong to us and to our

children forever, that we may do all the words of this

law” (Deut 29:29, ESV).

“The foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the

weakness of God is stronger than men” (1 Cor 1:25,

ESV).

Paul‟s Vision

DOES THAT NOT REALLY PUT MAN IN HIS PLACE?

Paul‟s Vision

GOD IS THE ONE WHO KNOWS ALL.

Paul‟s Vision

DIVINE MEEKNESS

v 7

Paul‟s Vision

“To keep me from becoming conceited because of

the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn

was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to

harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited” (v

7, ESV).

Paul‟s Vision

This verse demonstrates God‟s control over Satan.

Paul‟s Vision

This verse demonstrates God‟s control over Satan.◦ It‟s God who sent the “messenger of Satan to harass”

Paul.

Paul‟s Vision


Paul. The purpose of this “messenger” was to keep Paul from

becoming too conceited.

Paul‟s Vision



becoming too conceited. Satan would have loved Paul‟s becoming conceited, wouldn‟t he?

Paul‟s Vision




Imagine the benefit to Satan‟s kingdom if this “messenger” hadn‟t

been sent & Paul became conceited!

Paul‟s Vision




Imagine the benefit to Satan‟s kingdom if this “messenger” hadn‟t

been sent & Paul became conceited!

This messenger‟s purpose makes clear he was sent by

God.

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Paul.

◦ God‟s control of the universe even extends to Satan.

Paul‟s Vision


Paul.

◦ God‟s control of the universe even extends to Satan. Satan can only do what the Lord allows!

Paul‟s Vision


Paul.

◦ God‟s control of the universe even extends to Satan. Satan can only do what the Lord allows!

Satan cannot tempt us beyond what we can handle (1 Cor

10:13).

Paul‟s Vision

The word “thorn” can mean either “thorn” or “stake.”

Paul‟s Vision

The word “thorn” can mean either “thorn” or “stake.”◦ The word was used for stakes that were used for

torture.

Paul‟s Vision

The word “thorn” can mean either “thorn” or “stake.”◦ The word was used for stakes that were used for

torture.

◦ It‟s not clear if “thorn” or “stake” is intended, but it

doesn‟t matter.

Paul‟s Vision

Through the years, scholars have tried to identify this

“thorn.”

Paul‟s Vision


“thorn.”◦ The only hint from the text is that it was “in the flesh.”

Paul‟s Vision


“thorn.”◦ The only hint from the text is that it was “in the flesh.”

◦ That likely rules out temptation or guilt or any other

psychological issue.

Paul‟s Vision


“thorn.”◦ Some have said that this refers to bad eyesight.

Paul‟s Vision


“thorn.”◦ Some have said that this refers to bad eyesight. It‟s quite obvious that Paul had poor eyesight.

Paul‟s Vision


“thorn.”◦ Some have said that this refers to bad eyesight. It‟s quite obvious that Paul had poor eyesight. Tertius wrote the Epistle to the Romans (Rom 16:21).

Paul‟s Vision


“thorn.”◦ Some have said that this refers to bad eyesight. It‟s quite obvious that Paul had poor eyesight. Tertius wrote the Epistle to the Romans (Rom 16:21); it‟s highly

likely that most, if not all, of Paul‟s epistles were dictated to

someone who wrote them down.

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“See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand”

(Gal 6:11, ESV).

Paul‟s Vision





“See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand”

(Gal 6:11, ESV).

Some have suggested that the reason Paul took others with him on

his journeys was so that they could lead him around.

Paul‟s Vision


“thorn.”◦ Some have said that this refers to bad eyesight. It‟s quite obvious that Paul had poor eyesight.

If, as some have suggested, the poor eyesight is a result

of the light on the road to Damascus, this cannot be the

“thorn in the flesh,” for Paul‟s thorn came after his

conversion.

Paul‟s Vision

There are clues that Paul had some sort of physical

deformity.

Paul‟s Vision


deformity.◦ “You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I

preached the gospel to you at first, and though my

condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or

despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as

Christ Jesus” (Gal 4:13-14, ESV).

Paul‟s Vision


deformity.◦ Gal 4:13-14. Granted, the next verse (15) says that the Galatians would

have plucked out their eyes for Paul.

Paul‟s Vision


deformity.◦ Gal 4:13-14. Granted, the next verse (15) says that the Galatians would

have plucked out their eyes for Paul.

But, it‟s difficult to imagine that a visual difficulty would

have been a “trial” for the Galatians.

Paul‟s Vision


deformity.◦ Gal 4:13-14.

◦ “His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily

presence is weak, and his speech of no account” (1

Cor 10:10, ESV).

Paul‟s Vision





Cor 10:10, ESV). “His bodily presence is weak” makes me think Paul had

more physical problems than poor eyesight.

Paul‟s Vision





Cor 10:10, ESV). “His bodily presence is weak” makes me think Paul had

more physical problems than poor eyesight.

His ailment could have been a neurological condition or

injury that affected both the way Paul saw & the way

others saw him.

Paul‟s Vision

Early church tradition describes Paul‟s appearance in

a less than aesthetic way.

Paul‟s Vision


a less than aesthetic way.◦ A document from the late second century says that

Paul was “a man little of stature, thin haired upon the

head, crooked in the legs, [and] a nose somewhat

hooked.”

Paul‟s Vision


a less than aesthetic way.◦ A document from the late second century says that

Paul was “a man little of stature, thin haired upon the

head, crooked in the legs, [and] a nose somewhat

hooked.”

◦ While it‟s not certain, this tradition may contain a kernel

of truth.

Paul‟s Vision

It doesn‟t matter what Paul‟s “thorn in the flesh” may

or may not have been.

Paul‟s Vision

It doesn‟t matter what Paul‟s “thorn in the flesh” may

or may not have been.

The important thing is that this “messenger of Satan”

was sent to Paul to keep him meek.

Paul‟s Vision

Suffering can have quite positive effects.

Paul‟s Vision

Suffering can have quite positive effects.◦ “We do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of the

affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly

burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life

itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the

sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on

ourselves but on God who raises the dead” (2 Cor 1:8-

9, ESV).

Paul‟s Vision

Suffering can have quite positive effects.◦ 2 Cor 1:8-9.

◦ “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of

various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith

produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its

full effect, that you may be perfect and complete,

lacking in nothing” (Js 1:2-4, ESV).

Paul‟s Vision

Suffering can have quite positive effects.◦ 2 Cor 1:8-9.

◦ Js 1:2-4.

When we face suffering, we dare not forget that it

can have quite positive effects on our lives.

Paul‟s Vision

DIVINE MIGHT

vv 8-10

Paul‟s Vision

“Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that

it should leave me. But he said to me, „My grace is

sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in

weakness.‟ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly

of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may

rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am

content with weaknesses, insults, hardships,

persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak,

then I am strong” (vv 8-10, ESV).

Paul‟s Vision

Paul pleaded with the Lord three times that the

messenger of Satan would leave him.

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messenger of Satan would leave him.◦ But, the Lord refused to send Satan‟s messenger away

from Paul.

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from Paul.

◦ We dare not forget that the Lord‟s refusal to answer a

prayer the way we want does not mean that he does

not hear or that he does not care.

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from Paul.



not hear or that he does not care. Jesus prayed three times in the Garden for the Father to

remove the cross, but the Father did not do so.

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from Paul.



not hear or that he does not care. Jesus prayed three times in the Garden for the Father to

remove the cross, but the Father did not do so.

If the very Son of God did not have his prayer answered

the way he wanted, who are we to think that God will

always answer our prayers the way we want?

Paul‟s Vision

God did not refuse to answer Paul‟s prayer.

Paul‟s Vision

God did not refuse to answer Paul‟s prayer.

Instead, the Lord says to him, “My grace is sufficient

for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

Paul‟s Vision

God‟s grace is abundant regardless of what trial we

face.

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face.◦ Thus, we can put our confidence in God regardless of

what transpires in life.

Paul‟s Vision




◦ “Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on

the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields

yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and

there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the

LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. GOD,

the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the

deer‟s; he makes me tread on my high places” (Hab

3:17-20, ESV).

Paul‟s Vision




◦ Hab 3:17-20. The Book of Habakkuk is a series of dialogues between

the prophet & God.

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the prophet & God. Habakkuk simply cannot understand how God can be just, for evil is

all around him.

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the prophet & God. Habakkuk simply cannot understand how God can be just, for evil is

all around him.

God responds that he is sovereign & he acts according to his will,

not Habakkuk‟s.

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the prophet & God.

By the end of the Book, Habakkuk trusts God & says that

regardless of what transpires, he will place confidence in

God.

Paul‟s Vision

The Lord also tells Paul that his power is made

perfect in weakness.

Paul‟s Vision


perfect in weakness.◦ If Paul had an illness obvious to others, think about the

ironic power God displayed through him.

Paul‟s Vision




◦ Paul could heal others, but he could not heal himself.

Paul‟s Vision




◦ Paul could heal others, but he could not heal himself. At Lystra, Paul healed a man who was lame from birth

(Acts 14:8-10).

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(Acts 14:8-10).

In Philippi, Paul healed a girl possessed by a demon (Acts

16:16-18).

Paul‟s Vision





(Acts 14:8-10).

In Philippi, Paul healed a girl possessed by a demon (Acts

16:16-18).

“God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of

Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had

touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their

diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them”

(Acts 19:11-12, ESV).

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◦ Paul could heal others, but he could not heal himself. It had to be obvious that Paul wasn‟t healing through his

own power.

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own power.

The power Paul used to heal had to be the power of God.

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own power.

The power Paul used to heal had to be the power of God.

Nothing else made any sense at all!

Paul‟s Vision

IS IT IMPOSSIBLE THAT GOD CAN DISPLAY GREAT POWER THROUGH OUR WEAKNESSES?

Paul‟s Vision

IS IT IMPOSSIBLE THAT GOD CAN DISPLAY GREAT POWER THROUGH OUR WEAKNESSES?

How much might be accomplished for

the cause of Christ through our

sufferings?

Paul‟s Vision

ARE YOU READY TO DISPLAY GOD’S POWER THROUGH YOUR SUFFERING?

Business

Pauls Vision