God did not permit Paul to utter the unspeakable words he heard in paradise.
According to Les Feldick, Paul was caught up to the third heaven (paradise) and heard unspeakable words that it was not lawful for a man to utter. God prohibited him from sharing these revelations because He wanted to keep certain mysteries hidden until the proper time, and to prevent Paul from boasting about his extraordinary experience.
2 Corinthians 12:4 — This verse directly states that Paul heard unspeakable words which it is not lawful for a man to utter, indicating why he couldn't share them.
In 2 Corinthians 12:2-4, Paul describes a man (understood to be himself) who was caught up to the third heaven, into paradise, and heard unspeakable words which it is not lawful or permitted for a man to utter. The text explicitly says that these words were not to be spoken by any human. Additionally, Ephesians 4:8-10 indicates that Christ descended into the lower parts of the earth (paradise) before ascending to glory, taking captives with Him. This shows that paradise is now in heaven, and believers who die go to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8).
Les Feldick teaches that Paul was caught up to the third heaven (paradise) and heard unspeakable words that God did not permit him to utter. He emphasizes that God has the prerogative to keep things secret until the time to reveal them, and that many revelations given to Paul were mysteries hidden in God's mind until revealed to him. Les also notes that Paul would have liked to share his experience but God forbade it, and that God kept Paul away from the twelve apostles so that the new revelations given to Paul would not be mixed with their teachings.
Les Feldick explains that Scripture refers to three heavens: the atmosphere, the area of stars and planets, and the third heaven which is the abode of God. Paul was caught up to the third heaven, which is paradise. After Christ's ascension, paradise was moved from the lower parts of the earth to heaven, so believers now go to be with the Lord in paradise upon death.
Les Feldick teaches that God purposely kept Paul from the twelve apostles to prevent the new revelations given to Paul from being mixed with the teachings of the twelve. Paul was sent to Mount Sinai in Arabia to receive revelations directly from God, rather than learning from the apostles who had been with Jesus.
Les Feldick emphasizes that God has the prerogative to keep things secret until it is time to reveal them. Many doctrines revealed through Paul were mysteries kept in God's mind until the appropriate time. This explains why Paul could not share what he saw and heard in paradise—it was not yet time for those truths to be made known.
Paradise Moved to Heaven
Les explains that after Christ's ascension, paradise moved from the lower parts of the earth to heaven, and believers now go to be present with the Lord in paradise upon death.
Paul's Experience in Paradise
Les describes that Paul was caught up to paradise, heard unspeakable words not allowed to be uttered, and had an experience so thrilling he wanted to boast but was restrained.
Third Heaven and Unspeakable Words
Les clarifies that Paul was caught up to the third heaven, heard the language of heaven, and it was not permitted for him to utter it.
What Is Propitiation? Romans 3:25-31 Finally Explained
I drew the circles on the board and they went down into paradise, and we get just a little window of information on that between Abraham and Lazarus and the rich man in torment. You remember that? And there was a great gulf fixed that they couldn't cross over.
Paul Kept from the Twelve
Les teaches that God kept Paul away from the twelve apostles to give him unique revelations directly, preventing his teachings from being mixed with theirs.
God's Prerogative to Keep Secrets
Les emphasizes that God keeps things secret until the time to reveal them, and many doctrines given to Paul were mysteries hidden in God's mind.
Caught Up to the Third Heaven — 2 Corinthians 12 Explained
Now in chapter 12 it is expedient for me doubtless to glory, and I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. Now he says something that I suppose a lot of people just gloss over, and they really don�t know what he�s talking about. I know a man in Christ, above or about fourteen years ago, whether in the body I cannot tell, or whether out of the body I cannot tell, God knoweth, such a one c…
Paul Did Not Confer with Flesh and Blood
Les notes that Paul did not confer with the twelve apostles because God wanted to keep him separate, so the new revelations wouldn't be mixed with their understanding.
2 Corinthians 12:4: How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
This is the key verse stating that Paul heard words he was not permitted to utter, directly explaining why he couldn't share.
2 Corinthians 12:2: 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.
Paul refers to himself as a man caught up to the third heaven, which is paradise, setting the context for the vision.
Ephesians 4:8: Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
This verse speaks of Christ's ascension, and Les connects it to Christ taking paradise to heaven.
2 Corinthians 5:8: We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
Paul teaches that believers who die go to be with the Lord, which Les identifies as paradise since it is now in heaven.
Paul heard unspeakable words that were not lawful for a man to utter (2 Corinthians 12:4). God did not permit him to share these revelations, as they were to remain secret until the proper time.
Paul saw the throne room of heaven and heard angelic conversations and the language of heaven (2 Corinthians 12:2-4). Les Feldick teaches that these were unspeakable words, not allowed to be uttered.
God kept Paul away from the twelve so that the new revelations given to Paul would not be mixed with the teachings of the twelve. He sent Paul to Arabia to receive direct revelations from God.
Watch the Teaching: What Happened to Paradise After the Cross? (2 Corinthians 12)