Proof of Heaven?

I am often bemused when I see articles or books about people who share near-death stories of going to heaven--as if their experience provides proof of heaven's existence.  In his second letter to the Corinthians Paul spoke of being caught up into paradise and saw things he said were "unlawful to utter" and thus remained silent on the particulars.  If there are sensual experiences we have with our spouse that are so personal and precious we will not speak of or describe those moments to another living soul, it is fair to wonder why people are willing to share personal, spiritual experiences (legitimate or not) for fame, clicks or financial gain.

It is possible people have had many spiritual experiences I would not have imagined possible, for God is unlimited in power and His ways and thoughts are beyond ours.  If Paul was caught up into paradise and saw a wondrous vision, it follows others could also have similar experiences for God's good purposes.  Yet these extra-biblical accounts are not the authority on the matter, for God's word has already spoken loud and clear of heaven's existence.  Genesis 1:1 says, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."  Notice "heavens" is plural and "earth" is singular.  There are heavens above the earth in atmospheric layers, and God dwells in the heaven of heavens which have always been.  Deuteronomy 10:14 reads, "Indeed heaven and the highest heavens belong to the LORD your God, also the earth with all that is in it."

The created heavens and earth will someday pass away, and God will create new heavens and earth which righteousness dwells (2 Peter 3:10-13).  The Bible does not give much detail about what heaven is like, and for this reason many people are curious and intrigued to know more.  Better than seeking supposed eye-witness accounts of heaven to learn what heaven is really like, we ought to make sure we are going there by having our names written in the Lamb's book of life by faith in Jesus.  God has told us enough in His word to filter truth from error, and the lens of Scripture often reveals these dreams or visions deviate from what God has already said.  The LORD said in Jeremiah 23:28, "The prophet who has a dream, let him tell a dream; and he who has My word, let him speak My word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat?" says the LORD."  God's word is fruitful, yet accounts of dreams or experiences--true or not--are like empty chaff by comparison.

Paul made an interesting observation in Philippians 1:15-18:  "Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from good will: ¹⁶ The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; ¹⁷ but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. ¹⁸ What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice."  Some preached Jesus from envy and strife.  While this is far from ideal, Paul rejoiced Jesus was preached.  It may be that books and articles about heaven stir up interest and a desire to go to heaven, and this can be good when it leads people to Jesus Who is the Way, the Truth and the Life.  The biblical account of Jesus dying on the cross, rising from the dead, and ascending into heaven where He is preparing a place for His people shows me heaven is real, but no vision or experience people can have rises to that absolute level of proof.