EIGHT HOURS IN HEAVEN…
Sakkie Parsons
(Translated from Afrikaans: 8 ure in die Hemel..)
Someone sent me something about another person who claims to have spent eight hours in Heaven, and they asked my opinion about what that person said they experienced.
My personal opinion is that one must be very, very careful before accepting such claims as Gospel truth.
I always test this kind of thing against what I find in the Bible / Word, and although I don’t generally give attention to these—let’s call them “new revelations”—I have yet to encounter one that, in my view, passes the test of the Word as I read it. And this case is no different.
I will not quote everything that was sent to me, simply because I don’t believe it’s something that should truly be read.
But I would like to share with you my response to that message so that you can understand what I mean when I say that I measure these things against the standard of God’s Word.
All so-called revelations—or especially the so-called “new revelations”—I measure against the Scriptures. And fortunately, I haven’t been confronted with all of them, but everyone I have encountered and tested against Scripture has fallen far short.
In my humble opinion, this one is no exception.
Let me explain again how I use the Word to measure these types of claims:
The most important thing I look for is whether everything that is said or has taken place in the “revelation” aligns with Scripture.
In other words, nothing that is said must differ even slightly from what I read in the Word. And I’m afraid that in this so-called “revelation,” or whatever one wants to call it, the message falls far short.
I won’t go through the entire long piece again to show you step by step what I have a problem with, but I will leave it at this example:
The Word tells me that Michael is the prince—or, if you prefer, the guardian angel—of Israel.
Daniel 10:13–21 (AMP)
“But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was standing in opposition to me for twenty-one days. Then behold, Michael, one of the chief [of the celestial] princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia.
Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision is in regard to [those] days yet to come.”
When he had spoken to me according to these words, I turned my face toward the ground and was speechless.
And behold, one who resembled the sons of men touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth and began to speak, and said to him who was standing before me, “O my lord, because of the vision anguish has come upon me, and I have retained no strength.
For how can such a weakened servant of my lord talk with such as my lord? For now no strength remains in me, nor is any breath left in me.”
Then the one (Gabriel) whose appearance was like that of a man touched me again, and he strengthened me.
He said, “O man highly regarded and greatly beloved, do not be afraid. Peace be to you; take courage and be strong.”
Now when he had spoken to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”
Then he said, “Do you understand fully why I came to you? Now I shall return to fight against the [hostile] prince of Persia; and when I have gone, behold, the prince of Greece is about to come.
But I (Gabriel) will tell you what is inscribed in the writing of truth. There is no one who stands firmly with me and strengthens himself against these [hostile spirits] except Michael your prince.”
However, in this so-called “revelation,” we are told:
“This person came to within about four meters of me. This being was beautiful, even more beautiful than the other angels. I expected him to speak to me, but instead he looked at me for a moment and shouted, ‘I am! I am Michael the archangel who is in charge of guarding you and the church on earth!’ I met the archangel Michael face to face, and he was a precious being!”
Almost the worst part for me in what you just read was this line:
“I am Michael the archangel who is in charge of guarding you and the church…”
But the very worst part was:
“I am!”
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe—and teach—that Jesus is the reincarnation of Michael. And of course, satan would love for you and me to believe that as well.
For me, there is only one “I AM.”
Exodus 3:14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM”; and He said, “You shall say this to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”
Who is this great “I AM”?
John 1:1 In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself.
John 8:57–58
So the Jews said to Him, “You are not even fifty years old, and You claim to have seen Abraham?”
Jesus replied, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, before Abraham was born, I Am.”
Incidentally, the Jehovah’s Witnesses translate John 1:1 like this:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god.”
Now, I also want to say something about the following:
You wrote that he said Jesus told him:
“But in My church there are many thieves who steal My tithes and offerings! Tell My people that no thief will enter My Kingdom in Heaven!”
This part made me pause again and think.
It also made me smile a little.
Do you remember the story of Ananias and Sapphira?
Our Lord did not punish them for keeping a portion back, simply because what they had was given to them by God. It was theirs to do with as they pleased.
What they should not have done was lie and give people the wrong impression.
Acts 5:3–4 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to secretly keep back for yourself some of the proceeds from the sale of the land?
As long as it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was the money not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this act of hypocrisy and deceit in your heart? You have not [simply] lied to people, but to God.”
Just look again carefully at this:
“Was the money not under your control?”
In other words, what the Lord gives me is mine to do with as I see fit. But as His child, I must remember:
2 Corinthians 9:6 Now [remember] this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows generously [that blessings may come to others] will also reap generously [and be blessed].
The man also wrote that the angel told him:
“I am not the one who will escort you to heaven, because I am your guardian angel.”
As far as I know, the words “guardian angel” do not appear anywhere in Scripture—let alone ‘protector angel’.
Simply put, as I understand the Word, there is no such thing as a “guardian angel” for a person who has reached the age of accountability.
I am led either by the Holy Spirit of our Lord or by satan—but certainly not by a “guardian” or protector angel.
Again, I say:
The Lord may from time to time send an angel to share or show me something—but that is not a “guardian angel.” Once the task is complete, the angel departs.
Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ [that is, in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body I live by faith [by adhering to, relying on, and completely trusting] in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
I repeat:
As a child of the Lord, I am not led by a “guardian angel.” I am led only by the Holy Spirit.
The Lord may from time to time send an angel to tell me something, but once that is done, the angel leaves again.
I will also send you what I have written on this topic of “guardian angels” if you’d like to read more.
Greetings,
Sakkie