2 Corinthians 12:2

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

I know a man in [fellowship with] Christ who, fourteen years ago, was taken [literally, “snatched”] up to the third heaven. [Note: The first heaven would be where birds fly; the second where the stars are; and the third where God is]. (I do not know whether he was in his physical body or whether it was an “out­of-the-body” experience, but God knows). [Note: Paul is obviously telling about a personal experience. See verse 7].

Cross References

Luke 24:51

And it happened, as He was blessing them, that He left them and was taken up to heaven.

John 6:56

The person who eats my physical body and drinks my blood lives in me and I [live] in him.

Acts 14:6

Paul and Barnabas found out about it and escaped to the towns of Lystra and Derbe, in the province of Lycaonia, and elsewhere in the vicinity.

Acts 22:17

“And it happened that when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the Temple, I fell into a trance [i.e., a semi-conscious vision-like state].

Romans 16:10

Greetings to Apelles, [who was tested and] approved in [the service of] Christ. Greetings to members of the family of Aristobulus.

Romans 16:3

I send greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow-workers in [the service of] Christ Jesus.

Romans 16:7

Greetings to Andronicus and Junias, my fellow-Jews [or possibly actual relatives] who were in prison with me. These [men] are considered outstanding by the apostles, and were Christians before I was [converted].

Romans 16:9

Greetings to Urbanus, our fellow-worker in [the service of] Christ, and my dear friend Stachys.

Romans 8:1

Therefore, none of those who are in [fellowship with] Christ Jesus will be condemned.

1 Corinthians 1:30

But God brought you into [fellowship with] Christ Jesus, who was made to be God’s wisdom for us. Through Christ you have received a right relationship with God, [as well as] holiness and redemption [i.e., being bought back from Satan].

2 Corinthians 11:11

Why [am I doing this]? Is it because I do not love you? God knows [I do]

2 Corinthians 13:5

Put yourselves to a test; see if you are [really] in the faith [i.e., see if you are genuine Christians]; examine yourselves! Or, do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in your hearts, unless [of course] you fail the test [i.e., unless you are counterfeit Christians].

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if any person is in [fellowship with] Christ, he is a new person. His old ways have passed away; now his ways have become new.

2 Corinthians 5:21

God considered Christ to be sinful on our behalf, even though He never sinned, so that we could be considered right with God through Him.

Galatians 1:22

[At this time] I was still unknown personally to churches in [the province of] Judea, which are in [fellowship with] Christ.

Galatians 5:6

For in [our relationship with] Christ neither the practice of circumcision nor refraining from its practice matters in any way; but [all that really matters is having a genuine] faith [in Christ] that causes us to work [for Him] out of a genuine love [for Him and others].

Ephesians 4:10

The One who descended [i.e., from heaven to earth] is the same One [i.e., Christ] who also ascended high above the all the heavens, so that He could fill the entire universe [with His presence]).

1 Thessalonians 4:17

Then, we who [will still] be alive, that are left, will be caught up together with them into the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so [from then on] we will always be with the Lord.

Hebrews 4:14

Since then we [Christians] have [such] a great Head Priest, who has passed through the skies [i.e., ascended to heaven. See Acts 1:9], Jesus, the Son of God, we should remain true to our profession [of faith in Him].

Hebrews 9:24

For Christ did not enter the Holy of Holies made by hand, which is [only] a counterpart of the true one, but into heaven itself, where He now appears in God’s presence for us. [See verse 12].

Revelation 1:10

I was in [i.e., under the influence of] the Holy Spirit on the Lord’s day [i.e., Sunday], when I heard behind me a loud voice, like a trumpet,

Revelation 12:5

Then she gave birth to a baby boy, a son who will rule all the nations with an iron staff. And her child was snatched away to God and His throne.

Revelation 4:2

Immediately, I was in [i.e., under the influence of] the Holy Spirit [See 1:10], and there before me was situated a throne in heaven, with Someone sitting on it [Note: From the following description, this appears to have been God; see verse 4].