A Glimpse of Glory: Five People Who Saw Heaven
The concept of Heaven, our eternal home with God, remains one of the most profound mysteries and glorious promises of the Christian faith. While no human can fully comprehend its majesty and splendor in our earthly state, the King James Version of the Bible records extraordinary instances where certain individuals were granted a divine privilege: a glimpse into the very presence of God and the celestial realms. These visions, though fleeting for the recipients, offer us invaluable insights into the holiness, power, and glory of our Creator, and the ultimate destiny of the redeemed. They serve as powerful affirmations of the reality of the unseen world and the sovereign reign of God. Let us explore five such individuals, whose encounters with the divine provided a profound foretaste of the glory that awaits the faithful.
1. Isaiah: The Throne of Holiness
The prophet Isaiah, living in a time of political instability and spiritual decline in Judah, was called by God through a breathtaking vision of the Lord's throne room. This foundational experience, recorded in Isaiah 6, profoundly shaped his prophetic ministry, imbuing it with a deep sense of God's holiness and majesty. It was a vision of unparalleled splendor and solemnity.
In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.
Isaiah witnessed the Lord enthroned, surrounded by seraphim crying out His absolute holiness. The very foundations of the temple trembled at their voices, and smoke filled the sanctuary, signifying the awesome presence of God. This encounter led Isaiah to a profound awareness of his own unworthiness and sin, but it also culminated in his cleansing and commissioning by the Lord to deliver His message to Israel. Isaiah's glimpse of heaven revealed God as utterly transcendent, holy, and glorious, inspiring awe and reverent fear.
2. Ezekiel: The Chariot-Throne of Glory
Ezekiel, a priest exiled to Babylon, received a series of vivid and complex visions, particularly at the Chebar river, that graphically depicted the glory of God. Unlike Isaiah's temple vision, Ezekiel's encounter emphasized God's mobility and omnipresence, demonstrating that His glory was not confined to Jerusalem but was present even among the exiles. His visions were filled with intricate details of living creatures, wheels within wheels, and an overarching firmament, all culminating in the manifestation of God's glory.
And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it. And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about. As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.
Ezekiel's vision of the divine chariot-throne was a powerful declaration of God's sovereignty over all creation and His ability to manifest His presence anywhere. The sapphire throne, the fiery appearance, and the surrounding brightness akin to a rainbow all underscored the majestic and indescribable nature of God's glory. This glimpse of heaven assured the exiles that God had not abandoned them and that His power and presence transcended geographical boundaries or human circumstances, offering hope in a desolate land.
3. Stephen: Jesus at the Right Hand of God
Stephen, one of the first deacons of the early church, faced intense persecution and false accusations from the Sanhedrin, ultimately leading to his martyrdom. In his final moments, as he was being stoned, God granted him an extraordinary vision that affirmed the deity and exalted position of Jesus Christ. This was not a symbolic vision but a direct perception of the heavenly realm.
But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
Stephen's vision was unique in its directness and its focus on Jesus. While others saw the glory of God in general terms, Stephen saw the glory of God and Jesus specifically standing at the right hand of God. This detail is significant; typically, Jesus is depicted as sitting at the right hand of God, signifying His completed work and authority. His standing suggests an active posture, perhaps in welcome or in preparation to receive Stephen. This glimpse of heaven provided Stephen with profound assurance and comfort in his dying moments, demonstrating the living reality of Christ's heavenly intercession and His readiness to receive His faithful servant. It was a powerful testimony to the truth of the Gospel, even in the face of death.
4. Paul: Caught Up to the Third Heaven
The Apostle Paul, a prolific writer and missionary, was granted an unparalleled experience of the heavenly realm, which he recounted with humility and reticence in 2 Corinthians 12. He spoke of being "caught up to the third heaven" and into "paradise," where he heard "unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter."
I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or apart from the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
Paul's description highlights the ineffable nature of this heavenly experience. The "third heaven" is generally understood to be the dwelling place of God, as opposed to the atmosphere (first heaven) or the stellar heavens (second heaven). The fact that he heard "unspeakable words" suggests that the revelations were so profound and sacred that they could not, or should not, be articulated in human language. This glimpse of heaven was a source of immense spiritual strength and authority for Paul, yet he was given a "thorn in the flesh" to keep him humble and prevent him from being exalted above measure due to the abundance of these revelations. It underscores the reality and glory of heaven, even if its full splendor remains beyond human description.
5. John: The Revelation of the Heavenly Throne Room
The Apostle John, exiled on the island of Patmos, received the most extensive and detailed visions of heaven recorded in the Bible, comprising the entire book of Revelation. His visions offer a panoramic view of God's throne, the celestial beings, the worship of the Lamb, future events, and the ultimate consummation of God's plan for humanity and creation. From the very beginning of his visions, John is transported to the heavenly realm.
After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.
John's visions repeatedly bring the reader into the heavenly throne room, detailing the holiness of God (like jasper and sardine stone), the emerald rainbow around the throne, the twenty-four elders, the four living creatures, and countless angels all engaged in ceaseless worship of God and the Lamb. He sees the Lamb who was slain, worthy to open the scroll, and hears the chorus of heaven proclaiming His worthiness. This profound glimpse of heaven provides not only comfort and hope for believers facing persecution but also a clear understanding of God's ultimate victory, the establishment of His eternal kingdom, and the glory of the New Jerusalem. It is a powerful reminder that all earthly struggles are temporary, and the eternal worship and reign of God are assured.
The Enduring Hope of Heaven's Glimpse
These five individuals, through divine grace, were granted extraordinary access to the heavenly realms. Their experiences, though varied in detail and purpose, collectively paint a magnificent picture of God's transcendent glory, His absolute sovereignty, and the vibrant reality of the spiritual world. From Isaiah's vision of holiness to Ezekiel's chariot-throne, Stephen's sight of the standing Christ, Paul's ineffable ascent, and John's panoramic Revelation, each glimpse serves to strengthen our faith and deepen our understanding of the eternal hope set before us.
These biblical accounts are not mere mystical tales; they are divine revelations intended to anchor our hearts in truth. They assure us that heaven is real, God is on His throne, and Jesus Christ is indeed at His right hand. They remind us that our ultimate citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20), and that one day, all believers will experience the fullness of God's presence, not just a glimpse. Until that glorious day, these testimonies from the King James Bible serve as powerful encouragements, beckoning us to live lives worthy of our heavenly calling, fixed on the eternal glory that awaits those who love and obey the Lord.