Paul's Ascent to Paradise: The Apostolic Message and Mission of Paul in the Light of His Mystical Experiences

by James D. Tabor

I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—was caught up to the third heaven. And I know that this man—whether in the body or separate from the body I do not know, God knows—was caught up into Paradise and he heard unutterable words that are unlawful to speak. Some obvious and basic questions immediately come to mind: Why does Paul use the third person here? Is there any special significance to the dating of the revelation “fourteen years ago?” Is Paul reporting two separate experiences, or one experience in two stages? Is Paradise equivalent to or located in “the third heaven” or is it something different? What is at stake as to whether the ascent was “in the body or out of the body,” Why the emphasis on secrecy?