03 - Visions and Revelations of the Lord

Chapter 3 Visions and Revelations of the Lord

“It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. . . .” (2 Corinthians 12:1)

One debater said to me: “the purpose of the revelations is MOOT, who cares?" Well anyone who wants to understand the subject should care. Another usual response is “the revelations are not the issue”. I disagree. The visions and revelations are a central part of Paul’s explanation about the thorn. Those who have presumed God sent a thorn to Paul’s flesh with the distinct purpose of keeping him humble, ignore the fact that God considered Paul trustworthy. God entrusted Paul continually with many visions and revelations. Why would God give Paul such deep and intimate revelations if he was a man struggling with pride and who potentially could get out of His control? As already noted by one scholar, the whole context of 2 Corinthians chapter 10-13 reveal that the “basic topic is Paul’s opponents.” Greater weight should be placed on identifying why God gave Paul the visions and revelations rather than speculating that God gave Paul the thorn too. The reason for the messenger of Satan was the revelations God gave to Paul. Why would God oppose His initial gift? Why would God contradict His own works? Why not simply withhold the revelations from God? Despite what some commentators have claimed, Paul revealed exactly what the thorn was, “the messenger of Satan”.

Logic alone would reason that Satan sent his messenger to stop what God was doing in Paul. However, we have more sure foundation. That foundation is the true dividing line. Jesus said clearly in John 10:10 that the thief comes “to steal, and to kill, and to destroy”. Jesus continued: “But, I am come that they might have life and that life more abundantly”. With the visions and revelations, God gave Paul some life. Satan came at once to steal it away. Amazingly, Satan has deceived some of us into thinking Jesus comes to make some people sick. Was Jesus lying to us in John 10:10? Do we always need to think God says one thing but He could mean something else? Satan is not God’s advocate, he is Gods opponent. Satan God’s servant, he is in rebellion against God. How is it that some Christians do not understand this?

Paul Was Entrusted with the Revelations “A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.” (Proverbs 29:23)

God had a reason to entrust Paul with so frequent visions and revelations. N doing so God honored Paul. We should understand why God trusted Paul. According to the scriptures, God respects the humble man. Paul’s boldness in taking the lead in ministry was not founded on arrogance but instead humility. Would God give abundant revelations to a man who was not humble? God knows all things so if He knew Paul would become conceited, why entrust him? What wisdom is in that management of a man; to give him revelations and punish him for receiving them? Oh, but the thorn was a good thing, some say. Something coming by way of Satan is not a good thing? It is a contradiction. Jesus said Satan comes to steal, kill and destroy. He has his own agenda. One can readily see how “fatalism” has infiltrated the Church, perverted a great truth such as the sovereignty of God. Sovereignty means God has ultimate control, not automated control. Unless you can understand that Satan is Gods adversary, you will continue to be deceived by the devil. The argument is further confused by the presumption that Paul “was not supposed to share the revelations.” Some quote Paul; “I heard unspeakable words which it is not permitted to speak”, suggesting that God outlawed Paul from revealing the revelations. Other translations depend on a different version, using the phrase “not lawful for a man to utter”. As students of scripture, should we hastily determine that God gave Paul visions and revelations but forbid him to tell what he learned? I think, how ridiculous! Another question, was then Paul disobedient? In all his history, Paul earnestly shared his revelations with the churches. In all his epistles, Paul expounded on the truths he received by revelation. For instance, to the Corinthians Paul explained the communion table according to what he received by revelation. (1 Corinthians 11:23)

Sadly, even today, the church does not fully comprehend the depth of all that Paul received and shared. His thorn in the flesh is simply another example of this certainty. Many things were difficult to understand in his teachings. Peter pointed this out in his letter.

“As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.” (2 Peter 3:16)

Why is it that some distort what clearly Paul said about the thorn in his flesh being Satan’s messenger rather that Gods? Peter said there was some who were unlearned and unstable who wrestle with the scriptures. They should be wrestling with the devil or at least resisting him.

Consider these other examples of people who received revelations from God. Such as Johns Book of Revelation and Daniel’s vision. The Lord entrusted both John and Daniel with visions and revelations. There was a purpose in giving the revelations. They were for the Church. It is not a sin to tell the revelations you receive from God. Understandably, much of the things they saw were not possible for them to understand. They saw things even the angel said was beyond their ability to comprehend. Yet, they were instructed told to write what they saw.

"I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation,...was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia;" ( Rev 1-5-7)

Once again, in respect to Paul’s vision of heaven, some translations give the meaning, “not lawful” while others use “not permitted” and still others use “not possible”. One scholar said the implication means, “Paul did not use these words”. That however, is not to say Paul was forbidden to use his own words. In my opinion, of the three, the usage of “not permitted” is the worst workable translation with the context. Barnes also suggests two of the three as possible translations but does not include the usage of “not permitted”. To further remedy this point, consider what Adam Clarke said about the problem:

“[Which it is not lawful for a man to utter.] The Jews thought that the divine name, the Tetragrammaton, Yahweh (H3068), should not be uttered, and that it is absolutely unlawful to pronounce it; indeed they say that the true pronunciation is utterly lost, and cannot be recovered without an express revelation. Not one of them, to the present day, ever attempts to utter it; and, when they meet with it in their reading, always supply its place with ’Adonay (H136), Lord. It is probable that the apostle refers to some communication concerning the divine nature and the divine economy, of which he was only to make a general use in his preaching and writing. No doubt that what he learned at this time formed the basis of all his doctrines.”

Adam Clark’s interesting point of view fits Paul’s history. There was a censorship among Jew against speaking the name of God. Paul was aware of it and in using the word unlawful, may be referring to Jews law. However, as Clark pointed out, there is not doubt that Paul learned by revelation and took what he learned as the basis of his teachings. When God gives a vision or revelation, His purpose is to present information He wants us to know. The Purpose of the Revelations

What was the purpose for the revelations? The scriptures support the assessment that Paul’s humility (i.e. Proverbs 29:23) is why God lifted him up to an apostolic ministry. We can also see in the context of Paul’s reference to the thorn, he warned the Corinthians that he had a humbling task:

“And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.” (2 Corinthians 12:21)

I cannot stress enough how important it is for you to see how that verse follows Paul’s line of thought. Paul started the chapter telling us about him coming to visions and revelations of the Lord. Now we see why? He was advising them of Gods power. He could only know of their sins by revelation of the Lord for he was not present with them. Paul, like the prophet Nathan, who confronted David, [2 Samuel 12:1-12], and Peter who reproved Ananias and Sapphira [Acts 5:1-12], received supernatural disclosure of sin. Paul had an awesome responsibility and that was to correct their sin with public exposure - if necessary. Such gifting is one of the “signs and wonders that are done by the hands of Apostles”. To be used in that way is humbling. Few are entrusted with power because it can be so easily abused. Paul however, would use it wisely.

Paul continued his warning to the Corinthians all the way through chapter 13 verse 10. In verse three, he warned when he came again, “I will not spare, since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you.” Christ revealed to Paul their sin to correct them and warned in verse 10 that he would use “sharpness according to the power which the Lord had given me for edification and not destruction”.

Public exposure of sin was not Gods first plan, repentance was. However if necessary, for edification and not destruction, the power of Gods revelation would be manifest. Such power required from Paul a humbling task. He did not want to resort to that, but he would if necessary.

It this later warning Paul continued to use the same Greek word repeatedly to speak about weakness.  In this case, he was saying his gifting was not weak but mighty.  Paul used the same word in (2 Corinthians 11:29), (2 Corinthians 12:5), (2 Corinthians 12:9), (2 Corinthians 12:10), (2 Corinthians 13:3), (2 Corinthians 13:4).  The translators however interjected different definitions; “infirmities” and “weak”.  I guess they thought they were helping us understand but in reality, they added confusion.  Each usage of the Greek word were in the same context of Paul speaking about his abundant revelations from the Lord, making his ministry stand out in power although opposed.

As for the purpose of the revelations, one debater once shouted angrily at me: “PAUL DID NOT SAY A THING ABOUT IT!” Evidently, the debater was not looking past the single verse. I suggest this since the context says a great deal about the purpose. God gave Paul visions and revelation, to vindicate, exalt, expand and draw attention to his apostolic authority and ministry. Among other things, Paul had revelation about our adversary, the devil. He learned how to fight with weapons that are not instinctively human. Revelations are given to empower the believer to “resist the devil”, “fight the good fight of faith”, and to “put on the whole armour of God”. Paul was advancing the kingdom by the light he was given while the devil was working to stall, hinder and stop the advancement.

There is always a reason for supernatural revelation of God. It might be for instruction or for correction but it is certain, light dispels darkness. Satan governs the darkness. (Acts 26:18, Ephesians 6:12) Satan’s strategies, his lies, his enticement to sin, are exposed by the enlightenment of Gods revelation. Paul came behind in nothing when compared with the other apostles. Attached to his remarks about the thorn, to show proof of his apostolic ministry to the Corinthians, Paul said:

“Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.” (2 Corinthians 12:12) The signs, wonders, and mighty deeds were evidence of Paul’s apostleship. The visions and revelations Paul received added deep insight into God’s truth and the state of individuals. Paul’s triumph over Corinthian opposition challenging his authoritative ministry was galvanized by the communications from the Lord. Paul testified in his prayers that it is the Will of God for all to receive revelation from God.

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him”: (Ephesians 1:17)