2 Cor 12:1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
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.
3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. KJV
I am not absolutely sure why some theologians believe that Paul was speaking of himself when he clearly says that he “knew a man” and “of such a one” he would glory but not glory in anything himself except his infirmities. Paul gave his resume and heritage in several places. If it was him he would not suddenly get coy or some sort of backhanded humility now. He had already received many revelations after sending three years with Jesus to need something to keep him humble. I realize it messes up when we think Revelation was written. I really do not care when it was written. If the Lord tarries and I hope He does not, we may unearth some artifact or scroll that places the date way ahead of our current thought. Will that make Revelation uninspired? No. It just means well-meaning men made a mistake. Nothing earth shattering or faith shaking.
Rev 10:1 And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire:
2 And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth,
3 And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.
4 And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write : and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not. KJV
Here are the unspeakable words that John was not to write and hence to not utter if they cannot be written as part of the prophecy that would be uttered for centuries. As we said, John in chapter 1 did not know if he was in the body or out of the body as Paul said of the man he knew.
I think what makes some think it is Paul is that they think because Revelation speaks of last things that it had to be written last. That is not a mandate. Daniel wrote of last days prophecy and many books were written after him. So, Paul speaking of John messes up when they think when the various books were written, but it is Paul speaking of John and not himself. I think if you would show Revelation to a 10 year old and then show them Corinthians they would say it is Paul talking about John unless they heard what theologians think.
Now, can God beam people up to the throne? Yes, indeed! After all, He is God. He can do as He chooses and pleases. Have angels spoken to people in the past? Yes, they did. Are these types of things going on today? Scripture indicates no. Just because God does something once does not mean He is ever going to do it again. Everything in Scripture is there to teach us something, but it does mean it is to be a repeating pattern. Are we to march around Jericho again or cross the Red Sea? Those were one time deals. John's experience is also one of those since no one before or since has done it until these last days of iniquity.
What was the purpose of John’s revelation? It was to give him a throne room view of the future of man through his present until the end of the world, the judgment of mankind and to instruct the churches that were and were to come if they would have an ear to hear. Clearly, it was a one and done deal. Indeed, I have asked God to take me up and straighten me out if I am wrong on this and other issues. I do not foresee it happening though I believe He could. He has given us the history of creation and how He dealt with people up to Christ. He has given us the New Testament taking us from the time of Christ until the end. There are enough things in the 66 books to last us for a lifetime of study. We are not good students and we are not content with nor do we fully comprehend those and yet man wants to get excited Pseudepigrapha and want to “intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind.”
We have to beware of extreme scholasticism that does not allow God to do what He wants in any age and also beware of the opposite and make everything God has done to mean He will do it all the time or something to be sought after when then is not precedent to think that.
Rev 10:10 And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.
11 And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.
It would also appear that John did not die in exile on Patmos as he would not be able to fulfill this mission from the island. So Paul knew this man, John, 14 years prior to writing 2 Corinthians and John was given the commission at the same time he heard the words that he could not write. So John had to be off the island for Paul to meet him. Our history may not be very accurate.
