“It is observable that to the two chief apostles, Paul and Peter, God did afford this privilege, in this mortal life to have a taste of heaven’s joys, that they might feelingly and effectually raise up our affections to that supernatural city.
Paul was rapt up to the third heaven, and so ravished with this joy, that he knew not whether he had his body about him or not: “Whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell,” 2 Corinthians 12:2. And, methinks, when he comes down again out of heaven, he writes so contemptibly of these worldly things, that he calls them very dross and dung. Such respect hath any man of all the things under the sun, that hath but tasted the sweetness of paradise.
So Peter, together with James and John, on Mount Tabor, saw a glimpse of heaven. They beheld it that they might preach it: preaching, lift up our hearts to it; and our hearts being lifted up to it, might be blessed in it. On purpose they were showed this glory, that they might inflame our affections with it.
Imagine that it were possible for the most worldly soul here, to be lifted up so high as was Paul; be admitted to look into paradise; to see that glorious society of saints and angels, and so much of that beatifical vision as their nature is capable of: and from thence to look down again upon this earth, hanging like a little clod in the midst of the world; and see so many millions of men busied about nothing, like ants on a molehill, or flies in a sun-beam: how basely would he esteem this world and contemn that which is now his glory, for which he is content to venture his soul.” ~ Thomas Adams
“But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.” Hebrews 12:16
“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
