@Aubrie Sloan
Dear Sister Aubrie. Are they true or not? I couldn't really tell you whether what they experienced is as they say. However, I do believe that it is possible. Paul in 2 Corinthians speaks of something like that happening. Some believe that even though he was talking in the third person, he was really talking about himself when one takes other verses in the same chapter into account.
I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth
such an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 2 Corinthians 12:2-4
Here's an excerpt from a Reverend/Author/Teacher Clarence Larkin from the early 1900's on the subject of Heaven in which he speaks of the three heavens.
"The Scriptures speak of three Heavens. (1). The Heaven of the earth's atmosphere. "God gave you rain from heaven." Acts. 14:17. (2). The Heaven of the Stars. The "High Places" where the "Principalities and Powers" of evil have their abode. Ephesians 6:12 (3). The Heaven where God dwells. It was to this "Third Heaven" that the Apostle Paul was caught up, when at Lystra he was stoned and his spirit apparently left his body. Acts 14:19-20. Paul calls it both the "Third Heaven" and "Paradise." 2 Corinthians 12:1-4. The two then must be identical, or "Paradise" be a part of the "Third Heaven."
So to me it's something to look forward to and the interest in the stories is really on how it has affected those individuals. Regardless of whether it was Heaven or Hell. How did it change them? If they didn't know the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior. Do they now? Did it strengthen an already existing faith? Has their walk changed any? It would these type of questions I look to have answered in viewing or hearing of such occurrences. If it happened to us, I would want to believe that the change in us would be evident for all to see and not necessarily by the writing of a book or making of a movie either. What a powerful testimony it would be to reach so many others with the Gospel of Jesus!
Now you have to ask yourself knowing if they are true or not. Would they increase my faith or decrease my faith? Would it make me question my faith? That is why as Brother Chad has stated:
The Word of God is sufficient for what He wants us to know and how to live life pleasing to Him. Everything outside is far less important and crucial. Don't be distracted by those things.
We as humans have this desire to know everything there is to know about.......everything!
It is also the same curiosity that can lead us down wrongs paths without a solid foundation of knowledge of His Word, which is the Holy Bible and listening to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Scripture does tell us to question things, but because of scripture we can assuredly accept many more things because God has said it and if God has said it. Then it is true!
So you can look at this topic as one that if you adhere to His Word, you must assuredly will be in His Kingdom when His will is completed for you in this life and will know the truth that has been communicated. If you are here when He returns then it will also be awesome to be present when our Savior appears for all to see. In either case I do believe we won't be saying to ourselves "gee that person was right" or "that person was wrong". We'll be too focused on the very presence of the Lord first and foremost. :thumbsup:
Now I don't know if I helped you or hindered you in answering the question you asked. I just hope that you do realize that in the long run. Since the Lord is your Savior that it should matter less and less these types of stories. Just like the ones that would try to tell you that "Jesus is here or that He is there". Mark says:
And then if anyone says to you, 'Behold, here is the Christ'; or, 'Behold, He is there'; do not believe him; for false Christs and false prophets will arise, and will show signs and wonders, in order to lead astray, if possible, the elect. Mark 13:21-22
Just hold on to the fact that you and every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ has a wonderful future awaiting them!!!! Alleluia!
YBIC
C4E
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There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever. Revelation 22:3-5
