There are many books, stories, and TV specials about people who claim they saw a glimpse of Heaven. Some even claim to have seen more than a glimpse. I am convinced of the following:

1) They are all fake
2) If any were in fact true, the person would be sinning by speaking of it

2 Corinthians 12 tells us of Paul being shown a glimpse of Heaven 14 years prior to ever even speaking of it for the first time. Even when he did speak of it, he told us that he heard things that no man is permitted to speak of. That alone tells us that every single book that claims to reveal Heaven (other than what is in Scripture) is breaking God's own law.

On top of that, most of the stories tend to lean on the side of people being revealed all sorts of things and being in a state of amazement while taking it all in. What does Scripture say?

Why is it that people claim they were wandering around or being shown this and that when even Isaiah only saw the Lord being glorifed. To add to it:

Isaiah was in the presence of God but he was not taking notes or being shown anything. He was quaking with fear. His entire vision is God being the center of all things, God being glorified, and Isaiah wanting to pee his pants so to speak.

Ezekiel had a very similar experience. It may be more detailed but take note (if you read the rest of chapter 1) that it all described God as being the centerpiece.

In no instance of Scripture does one have a tour guide to show them around Heaven. Why is it that so many people are attracted to this kind of nonsense being spit out in the media today?

I am a firm believer in the sufficiency of Scripture. I do not believe God is still giving new revelation. I believe that once Scripture was completed, all revelation ceased. Everything that is being revealed to us today is being done so by the Holy Spirit through existing Scripture. If this is the case, Deuteronomy clearly says the secret things belong to the Lord. If God did not reveal them to us through Scripture, He is not doing it today.

Who was Calvin....a wretched sinner similar to you or I. You say correctly that you have no ability within you to save.......like the rest of us.

We sang a Wesley hymn in our fellowship this Sunday a.m. the hymn commenced with a question "And can it be that I should gain an interest in the Savious blood.........? There is a line in the hymn "and bled for Adams helpless race" wow This is Jesus......this is the price Jesus He paid.......Salvation is all about Jesus

5 point Calviist......dear Lord such connection is of no value,

You are posting here in the bible study forum. But have you met Jesus......I notice you are a serviceman and 'saved' we appreciate you in that respect....and we thank you.

I second your point and your suspicions as well. In every scriptural instance when people have encounters with God or one of his angel emissaries the effect is the same, a disabling terror. I don't think it a stretch to say that Daniel and John slipped into comas in their encounters.

This is a general lesson on our approach to the presence of God. If churchgoers had this same reverence....my, the impact.

Nevertheless the Mary Baxters of the world, I believe have a negative net impact on Christian thought and lend heavily to a notion that scripture was not enough- that the Lord needs his word AND some silly book about a trip to heaven.

I'm honestly a bit confused here. I don't really see how this relates to the topic at hand. It sounds more like anti-Calvinism that is trying to read more into it than what is there. Correct me if I am wrong.

My statement (in my profile) that I am a Calvinist that believes I am a wretched sinner that is saved by grace alone is an entirely different subject. I simply made the correlation because many people try to take salvation into their own hands and away from God. This is the case with most Arminians. As a Calvinist, it is pretty apparent that I do not attribute myself with any worthiness whatsoever. One does not have to be a Calvinist to believe this but if one is, they will believe it.

Anyway, just wanted to comment. I still don't know how it relates to this thread though.

So rojo, do you accept John's writing of Revelation?

Of course I do. It is God's Holy Word. However, I do not believe prophets exist anymore. They ended upon the foundation of the Church which was laid upon the foundation of apostles and prophets with Christ being the chief cornerstone. Revelation is the end of prophecy from God. It closed out an office by fulfilling its purpose. The people who make these claims today are not prophets of God. They have not been given divine revelation from God. They can't even be compared to John.

Am I correct to assume that you don't believe that the "gifts of the Spirit are still at work within the body of Christ also?

Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:


Just my view:
I understand there are some in certain denominations that share your views. I respect your right to your own opinons.
For the fivefold ministry to cease the church would have to walk in the fullness of the stature of Christ Himself. Personally I know of no church (let alone the whole body of Christ) that meets that criteria as of yet.
As for visions of heaven, I know two people who claim to have had such an experience. I know them as solid Christians who lay their lives down for Jesus on a regular basis. So just in my opinion I will have to take their word on it.
While it is true that some revelations of and from heaven were locked up till a later date that is not true of them all. Trying to include them all is a real stretch and as jiggyfly has mentioned would remove the Book of Revelations as well as many other prophecies from the Bible.

for the ones of you that dont believe, i saw jesus when i was young with my own eyes, ive also saw angels, if god allows this this is for a reason, noone cant tell me what i saw. i was awake god bless..

Amen Denise!!I have also seen such things and so have many of my chr friends!!I know 2 Pastors that have been taken to Heaven and one also has recently seen Hell!!They are both mighty men of God!!and if God is the same,yeaterday and forever then so are his gifts of the HS and of showing people,ordinary people,things that he wants to bless them with!!Who are we to say they are not true,especially if we know beyond the shadow of a doubt that they are walking with God and are serving them in powerful miracle,signs,and wonders ministries!!So..people need to be more open to the fact that our God is a supernatural God and that there is the spiritual realm also where the battles of angels and demons happen!!If there are angels there sure are demons also!!People dont like to hear about that reality!!Well GBU!!