We often here fanciful stories from "Christians" who claimed to have had trips to "Heaven", and even personally spoke with the Lord Jesus Christ Himself; so what are we to make of all this? Are they all fictitious narratives derived from the minds of deceitful men, women, and even children who are only in it for selfish gain? I know there will be "skeptics" who will respond to my comments as being closed-minded to events which leave open the possibilities of things which are not explicitly found in Holy Scripture, but is this really the case? What does the Holy and Inerrant Word of God teach us regarding this controversial subject? I'll begin with this God-breathed text of Scripture:

"God forbid: yea, let [God be TRUE], but [every man a LIAR]; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged." (Romans 3:4)

How do these made-up stories of visits to Heaven and personally meeting Jesus Christ Himself benefit Christians to mature spiritually as children and slaves of their Lord and Master, Jesus Christ; who are to Worship God in Spirit and in Truth, and to offer their bodies as living sacrifices? Well they don't! They offer unverifiable "experiences" that do nothing but distract the Genuine Christian who desire to Glorifying Jesus Christ, and to please Him in all that they do (i.e., "to Love the Lord with all their heart, soul, strength, and mind"). Although 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 does not refer to the unseen realm of the third Heaven prepared for the children of God, it is also true that only the SPIRIT [BODY] given at the resurrection of the justified is required to fully comprehend a "higher reality" in the Eternal State (cf. Jn. 14:1-3; 1 Cor. 15:42-50; Phil. 3:21; 1 Jn. 3:2; Rev. 22:4).

"Believe me that [I am in the Father, and the Father in me]: or else believe me for the very works' sake. At that day ye shall know that [I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you]." (John 14:11,20)

It is the Eternal Son of God who took on human flesh, and the Invisible Spirit of His Father fully dwells in Christ, as well as the Holy Spirit. The redeemed will be raised to Immortality as the Spirit of God will resurrect them to Eternal Life with Power and honor (i.e., "It is the spirit that quickeneth" Jn. 6:63a; and "the Spirit Body" likened unto Christ the firstfruit"; see also Rom. 2:7; 1 Cor. 15:23,43; Phil. 3:21; 1 Jn. 3:2); for the Holy Spirit who resides with you will be [IN] you FOREVER (Jn. 14:16-17); so this would also include the Eternal State. He is also the Illuminator, and He gives us understanding of what TRUE LIFE is as the children of God; we will be given light, both literally and figuratively throughout Eternity from the Triune Godhead as our Source and Sustainer (Dan. 12:3; Jn. 1:4; 8:12; 14:6; 17:3,17; Rom. 8:9; 1 Jn. 1:5-7; Rev. 21:23; 22:15). Those who are devoid of the Spirit of God will not SEE LIFE in every sense of the word (cf. Dan. 12:2; Mk. 9:48; Jn. 3:36; Gal. 6:8; Jude 13; Rev. 21:8).

"And he shewed me [a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal], proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.  And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and [the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass]. And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it." (Revelation 21:21-22)

Where can you find gold in the appearance of transparent glass? The Greek word for "transparent" is made up of two compound words: dia [through] phaino [to shine] (Grk. diaphanes), and nothing on Earth resembles this type of pure Gold in the Eternal City crafted from the Master Carpenter and Creator of All things in existence (Jn. 14:1-3- Heb. 11:10, 12:22;  13:14; 16; 13:14). It is not subject to corrosion since the materials are everlasting; it also suggests that this street is pure gold unlike any opaque gold found here on Earth, and not only that, it has crystal clear glass gleaming throughout this main street of the Eternal City. What about a river which is clear as crystal? The twelve types of fruits (or crops) are produced each month (i.e., one type of fruit for each month), and its "literal" leaves are for the [healing] of the nations: that is, they [enhance the quality] of spiritual LIFE for all the redeemed of every ethnicity (Grk.  eis therapeian ton ethnon). I find it somewhat amusing how artists attempt to draw or paint the Pure River of Water of Life with the appearance of Clear Crystal, or a street which is pure gold that appears to have sparkling glass shimmering from within and without. It CANNOT be done for obvious reasons as explained above.

"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. Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul." (Acts 7:55-58)

How did Stephen recognize Jesus Christ having never seen Him before? Does God have to SIT upon a throne to prove His Absolute Sovereignty over all things? How did Stephen SEE Christ standing on "at the right hand" (Grk. ek dexion tou theou; i.e., "having equal honor, authority and rule" cf. Matt. 26:63-64; Rom. 8:34; Eph. 1:20; Col. 3:1; Heb. 1:3; et al.) of God, if God is INVISIBLE? Who is seated upon the Great White Throne? Does God have different shades or colors of Thrones depending on which mood He is in? The Book of Revelation uses the most symbolism and figurative imagery than all the other books in Holy Scripture because it is a "revealing" of that which will be known in a future time, and the human mind which is housed in a body of death cannot fully ascertain the fullness of what is spoken of in God's Written Word; so if you are having difficulty understanding some passages in the Book of Revelation, you are not alone.

"That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom [NO MAN HATH SEEN, NOR CAN SEE]: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen." (1 Timothy 6:14-16)

"Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of [THE INVISIBLE GOD], the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist." (Colossians 1:12-17)

"[GOD IS SPIRIT]: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." (John 4:24)

"Now unto the King eternal, immortal, [INVISIBLE], the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen." (1 Timothy 1:17)

"Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in [THE GLORY OF HIS FATHER] with the holy angels." (Mark 8:38)

"And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for [THE GLORY OF GOD] did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof." (Revelation 21:23)

"And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with [POWER AND GREAT GLORY]." (Matthew 24:30)

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is [NO VARIABLENESS], neither shadow of turning." (James 1:17)

ALL creatures are mutable, and are prone to change from the moment they come INTO Being. It is God alone who possesses Immutability because He is Eternal and Inhabits Eternity (Isa. 57:15). Since there are ONLY Three persons in all of existence who are ETERNAL in the past, they are not capable of any shift in attributes, increase in knowledge, power, or any innate characteristics of each person of the Godhead; therefore, they are ONE [in] BEING. This also proves the Eternal Sonship of Jesus Christ, which is denied by some sects of Christianity. Christ was able to the drink the full cup of God's Divine Wrath while on the Cross, which is Eternal Punishment; this is only possible for Jesus because He is Eternal, and transcends both time and space, nor is He subject to it. Moreover, it is Christ who will FOREVER bear the scars on His body which He received while He was on the Cross (cf. Zech. 13:6; Gal. 3:13).

"Jesus Christ [THE SAME] yesterday, and to day, and for ever." (Hebrews 13:8)

"And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with [THE GLORY WHICH I HAD WITH THEE] before the world was." (John 17:5)

"Beloved, now are we [THE SONS OF GOD], and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for [WE SHALL SEE HIM AS HE IS]." (1 John 3:2)

"Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold [THE FACE OF MY FATHER] which is in heaven." (Matthew 18:10)

"And there shall be no more curse: but [THE THRONE OF GOD AND OF THE LAMB] shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And [THEY SHALL SEE HIS FACE]; and his name shall be in their foreheads." (Revelation 22:3-4)

"For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but [THE FACE OF THE LORD] is against [them that do evil]." (1 Peter 3:12)

God the Father does not have a literal face since He is PURE SPIRIT and INVISIBLE (Jn. 4:24; Col. 1:15). All Three persons of the Godhead are Pure Spirit in their Absolute Essence, and from Eternity past until the Incarnate Word became flesh (Jn. 1:14,18; Rom. 1:3; 2 Cor. 4:4; Gal. 4:4; Phil. 2:7; 1 Tim. 3:16; 1 Jn. 1:1). There are anthropomorphism's which describe characteristics of God in a figurative manner, but they are not to be taken literally, as in body parts which can be perceived by human touch; they are given so that the finite mind of man can understand the Eternal mind of God in relation to Him (cf. Gen. 2:2; Ex. 7:5; Num. 6:24; Deut. 33:27; 2 Chron. 16:9; Ps. 89:10; Jer. 32:17; Matt. 4:4). 

God is IMMUTABLE and does NOT literally change His mind, but it is written as such so that the mind of the fallen and corrupt man can grasp a general idea of what God is attempting to convey to him (cf. Gen. 6:6; 9:16; Ex. 20:5; 32:14; 1 Sam. 15:35; 2 Sam. 24:16). The redeemed, who are blameless, holy, and PURE in heart will SEE the FACE of God; they will forever be in the Presence of the [Fullest] Manifestation and Glory of God and Christ, in which nothing impure or evil can abide in, even for a fleeting moment. The veiled Glory of God was revealed to His chosen, and the Absolute Holiness of God at times would result in the immediate death of those who stood near the presence of God; the mercy of the LORD was what kept many of them from perishing, and those who have been cleansed by the Blood of the Lamb will know God and Christ in a capacity unlike ever before at the commencement of the Eternal State (cf. Ex. 19:21; 33:20; Lev. 16:2,13; Num. 4:15; 18:3; Judg. 13:22; Rev. 21:22-27; 22:14-15).

In Closing:

"For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." (1 Corinthians 13:12)

Images on a flat screen television can only appear realistic in a two dimensional sense, and it can never fully depict a three dimensional reality in the world you now live in no matter how much advancement in technology this world may attain to. Although your inner man is being renewed day by day, the house your spirit resides in, and the brain it is linked to will be done away with sooner or later (Rom. 7:24; 12:2; 2 Cor. 3:18; 4:16). It is the Spirit of God which will give LIFE to your mortal body, whether you are one day placed six feet under or are transformed in an instance quicker than light that can refract from your eye. This world is passing away, and with it all who are perishing because they reject the Truth and Testimony of Scripture concerning the Word of God. What do you treasure the most in your heart? What are you clinging on to more than anything this temporary world can offer? Even time itself will pass away when the Eternal State begins . . . and how you live your life and use your talents and time here on this passing world will determine how you will TRULY LIVE in the Eternal Day of God and Christ. The opportunities in the here and now, and how wisely you manage them will result in Eternal rewards that is yet to be revealed and fully understood in the current state.

"And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And [THEY THAT BE WISE] shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever." (Daniel 12:1-3)

God Bless!