"Boy who came back from heaven" recants his story

[KingsGambit]

When I was in high school, I went on a mission trip where we served at an inner city soup kitchen. The head of the kitchen claimed in promotional materials to have been hit by a truck and gone to heaven at age 3, and described it in terms of containing colors that don't exist on Earth... and that he was sent back.

I honestly didn't know what to make of it. I didn't want to just come out and disbelieve him; I don't want to unjustly limit God's power. But something seemed off. The kitchen was handing out Chick tracts. They also had a lady who dressed up in a manner I'd associate with other professions to evangelize, emphasizing a likely end of the world within the next year or two. Maybe it's unfair but these factors made me wary.

[mossrose]

The answer is in John 3:13.

No one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven: the Son of Man.

Seems pretty clear to me. Also, Hebrew 9:27,

And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment,

Whatever the experience of those who claim to have visited heaven is, it is not death and it is not heaven, according to scripture.

[Bill the Cat]

The answer is in John 3:13.



Seems pretty clear to me. Also, Hebrew 9:27,



Whatever the experience of those who claim to have visited heaven is, it is not death and it is not heaven, according to scripture.

I don't know Mossy. how about 2 Cor 12:2-4?

[Scrawly]

The answer is in John 3:13.



Seems pretty clear to me. Also, Hebrew 9:27,



Whatever the experience of those who claim to have visited heaven is, it is not death and it is not heaven, according to scripture.

Moss how would you read 2Cor. 12:2 in light of John 3:13? 2Cor. 12:2 states:

"I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago-- whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows-- such a man was caught up to the third heaven."

Also Hebrews 11:5 seems to indicate that Enoch was taken up to heaven as well..?

[mossrose]

I don't know Mossy. how about 2 Cor 12:2-4?

Verse 1 says Paul is referring to visions. So I assume the person who had the vision wasn't dead. And the common thought is that it was Paul himself who had the vision.

1 I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord.

2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows.

3 And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows—

4 was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell.

Also note that "this man" was not permitted to speak about what he saw. So that would negate all the books and stuff that come about from people who say they have been to heaven.

John had a vision of heaven too, one that he WAS permitted to speak about, in the book of Revelation. I assume John was not dead, either, when he had his vision.

[seanD]

Have you read Heaven is for Real? I'm not recommending it, but there were some claims of that nature. A general out-of-body experience might be more believable, depending on the evidence. But Malarkey's story sounded fairly ridiculous from what I heard. Also, hello.

Hi LeaC, and welcome to the forum. Yeah, I’m just trying to wrap my head around why this book was a bestseller. An out-of-body experience would explain this to me, but I'm guessing this isn't the case here. Since it was a kid, maybe people perceived it as legit because children supposedly don't lie. I just don't know

[mossrose]

Moss how would you read 2Cor. 12:2 in light of John 3:13? 2Cor. 12:2 states:

"I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago-- whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows-- such a man was caught up to the third heaven."

Also Hebrews 11:5 seems to indicate that Enoch was taken up to heaven as well..?

I have referred to the Corinthians passage in my reply to Bill.

As for Enoch, that is an event that was only repeated with Elijah, both of whom were taken up to heaven. Genesis 5:24

Enoch walked with God, and was not, for God took him

which implies that he didn't return. Neither did Elijah.

2 Kings 2:11

As they were going along and talking, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire which separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven.

I view those as precursors to the rapture, which is a whole nother ball of wax.

[LeaC]

Hi LeaC, and welcome to the forum. Yeah, I’m just trying to wrap my head around why this book was a bestseller. An out-of-body experience would explain this to me, but I'm guessing this isn't the case here. Since it was a kid, maybe people perceived it as legit because children supposedly don't lie. I just don't know

Probably is the reason! In my experience, children are very sincere about they believe to be the truth, which, er, doesn't mean they aren't lying, so I wish people didn't have that perception... but you're right that many do. Otherwise, I don't know why it or Colton's story became bestsellers(the latter I found boring), but I say that about many bestsellers...

[KingsGambit]

Probably is the reason! In my experience, children are very sincere about they believe to be the truth, which, er, doesn't mean they aren't lying, so I wish people didn't have that perception... but you're right that many do. Otherwise, I don't know why it or Colton's story became bestsellers(the latter I found boring), but I say that about many bestsellers...

I think that's a big part of it. Children have genuine beliefs all the time that are based on misconceptions (one that I've seen involved believing a stuffed animal was genuinely alive because it had moved locations in a manner the child could not account for).

[mossrose]

I think that's a big part of it. Children have genuine beliefs all the time that are based on misconceptions (one that I've seen involved believing a stuffed animal was genuinely alive because it had moved locations in a manner the child could not account for).

Kids are also led to believe untrue things by their parents.

Santa Clause and the Easter Bunny are a couple that come to mind.

[Sparko]

Kids are also led to believe untrue things by their parents.

Santa Clause and the Easter Bunny are a couple that come to mind.

I don't understand. What is untrue about Santa and the Easter Bunny?

[rogue06]

I don't understand. What is untrue about Santa and the Easter Bunny?

They really don't know the tooth fairy

[Scrawly]

I have referred to the Corinthians passage in my reply to Bill.

As for Enoch, that is an event that was only repeated with Elijah, both of whom were taken up to heaven. Genesis 5:24 which implies that he didn't return. Neither did Elijah.

2 Kings 2:11



I view those as precursors to the rapture, which is a whole nother ball of wax.

OK, but we do have two people (Enoch & Elijah), possibly three (if we include Paul), who were taken to heaven, right?

[mossrose]

OK, but we do have two people (Enoch & Elijah), possibly three (if we include Paul), who were taken to heaven, right?

Two who went and never came back. Paul was having a vision. He did not really go to heaven.

[Raphael]

Kids are also led to believe untrue things by their parents.

Santa Clause and the Easter Bunny are a couple that come to mind.

Wash your mouth out....errr you typed that.....go wash them hands. St Nick is an awesome and hardworking fellow. (and prone to punching out heretics)