English

  The Third Heaven and Satan ’ s Thorn   2 Corinthians 12:1 – 4: "It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago — whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows — such a one was caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man — whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows — how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter." Paul experienced the third heaven, which he described as Paradise. He underwent a mysterious experience that defies human description. 2 Corinthians 12:7 – 9: "And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from ...

  He is a man who was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago.   2 Corinthians 12:1 – 4: "It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago — whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows — such a one was caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man — whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows — how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to speak." The Apostle Paul faced criticism from the Corinthian believers. Had he been enraged by their betrayal, he could have ruthlessly attacked them in his letters; instead, he consistently expressed his love and concern for them. From chapter 10 through verse 18 of chapter 12, he explains various situations by comparing himself to the false teachers who had led the congregation astray. His motivation wa...

  Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.   2 Corinthians 11:14 – 15: "And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light (*metaschematizomenoi*). So it is no great surprise if his servants also disguise themselves (*metaschematizomenoi*) as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds." Here, too, *metaschematizomenoi* ( μετασχηματ ί ζεται ) refers not merely to a disguise, but to a transformation. Satan is the ancient serpent that appeared in the Garden of Eden, the one who tempted Jesus, the figure who appeared in the Book of Job, and the one who manifested as a thorn to the Apostle Paul. The Revised Korean Version translates this as "disguising oneself," an expression akin to a wolf wearing a sheep's clothing — where one remains a wolf while appearing in the form of a sheep. However, "transformation" implies that one is originally an angel, but assumes a different role depending on the sit...