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By Frances Swaggart
Recently I received an email which raised the question of whether the Apostle Paul was a mystic due to his third heaven experience. Let me emphatically state that there is no such thing as a “Christian” mystic. Many who make this assertion do so on the basis of II Cor.12:2-4, which describes an isolated incidence of Paul being carried to the Third Heaven.
I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven. And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows—was caught up into Paradise, and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak (2 Corinthians 12:2-4)
In verse 2 the term “caught up” is the Greek work harpazo which is translated as seizing something by force. In this instance, the word harpazo is in the aorist tense, denoting a one time occurrence. This was a one time occurrence that God himself initiated.
We must actively seek to separate Christianity from the mystery religions. Our communion and connection with God comes through divine grace and the shed blood of Jesus and not through any spiritual exercises that we ourselves perform! Reacting to revelation is far different than conjuring these spiritual experiences through the practice of any of the mystic disciplines or contemplative traditions. If our spirituality is dependent upon anything that we ourselves perform then we are basing it on works and not on faith!
It is imperative to state that Paul did not embrace a works based faith. Paul’s spirituality was squarely focused on grace and in no way did Paul promote experiencing God in a mystic way. When you compare Paul’s third heaven experience to the rest of his ministry it becomes an obscure and isolated event. He had this experience only once in 14 yrs of ministry. Modern day seekers of third heaven experiences would have us believe that they can visit the third heaven on a daily basis. Indeed, they must be more “spiritual” than the Apostle Paul!
It is important to emphasize that Paul did not initiate this encounter nor did he in any way point to this experience as something for us to emulate. He most certainly did not teach others, how to take the journey! Self styled apostles and prophets operating in the contemplative and mystic traditions not only claim to have made multiple trips to the third heaven but also teach others through conferences, books and tapes, how they too can have similar encounters! Seeking third heaven experiences “by faith” is not biblical and should under no circumstances be engaged in.
These experiences as they are being taught today are no different than the occult. What they report and engage in is astral travel (astral meaning heavens). A true blood-bought child of God has Christ residing within and does not need to seek him through mystical third heaven experiences.
You stated:
>If our spirituality is dependent upon anything that we ourselves perform then we are basing it on works and not on faith!
I spent 50 yrs. in the RCC and over 5 yrs as a Catholic nun before I learned of God's grace and my total inability to "earn" my own salvation. I had to walk away from everything that had programmed me into believing that salvation was all about my performance, rather than His. No amount of indulgenced prayers or penances could accomplish what Christ had already done for me at Calvary. Praise God!
I was raised Catholic and I completetly understand about "walking away from everything that had been programmed ....." It sometimes is so difficult to accept that what your faith was based on before is not quite correct. I lived most of my life thinking that my "works" would ensure my salvation and that by doing good works, I would receive God's blessings. I pray for others who have never been properly introduced into the concept that the Work done at Calvary is a finished work...that our "works" do not buy our way...
So many people are searching for some great feeling or experience from God. Instead of searching for Truth in the Word....people are running after so-called 'miracles'...like blind geese in a hailstorm!
Dear Sister Frances, You said it all when you stated that "A true blood-bought child of God has Christ residing within and does not need to seek him through mystical third heaven experiences". The fact that someone even thinks they need to or desires to proves something is wrong. The problem I have when people do such things, people who claim to be Christian, is that I myself just know it is not right. I am not a scholar or too very intelligent in the natural, yet the Holy Spirit reveals these truths in the Word of God and in your inner man. He gives discernment. He speaks to you, warns you, guides you. So someone seeking after these things tells me they are seeking another spirit, listening to another voice. In these last days, which I believe with all my heart we are in, we have to know the Word of God like never before. These people are trying to "manufacture" the things of the Spirit and as a result they are getting another spirit. We must pray the Holy Spirit reveal the deception to these people. Mary