Thursday, August 17
Read 2 Corinthians 12:1–4.

“How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter” (v. 4).

In a somewhat enigmatic style, Paul gives us a glimpse into the glory that awaits the faithful child of God. So glorious is the vision which Christ gave him that Paul finds it impossible to describe; it is a revelation of what it is like, and what it will be like, to be in such closeness to Christ that the experience is indescribable. I read somewhere that this vision resulted from a restless pursuit of Christ when the seer becomes one with the Seen.
Paul’s experience might be compared to the sublime meeting of Peter, James, and John with the glorified Christ on the Mount of Transfiguration. So profound was the excellence that Christ prohibited the apostles from even talking about it until He was resurrected.

For us: the narrative of a place and an experience, so “other- worldly” as impossible to describe, should be a compelling vision urging us into intimacy with Christ now in anticipation of an eternity with Him in the indescribable glory that awaits. (LLS)
“Just to be near the dear Lord, I adore, Will through the ages be glory for me.”
--- Charles H. Gabriel