"Boy who came back from heaven" recants his story

[Raphael]

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

Errr, Paul himself says he doesn't know if it was a vision or if he was physically there.

I can appreciate the point you're trying to make, but if Paul wasn't clear as to whether or not it was a vision or in person, I would hesitate at stating it was just a vision.

[Scrawly]

Two who went and never came back.

Actually Elijah did return when Jesus was transfigured.

Paul was having a vision. He did not really go to heaven.

1Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2I 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. 3And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows— 4was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak (2.Cor 12:1-4).

[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)

[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.

[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?

[rogue06]

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

They really don't know the tooth fairy

[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?

[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.

[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).

[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...

[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.

[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]

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.

[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..?

[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?