Hekhalot and Merkavah are from an early form of Jewish mysticism. Hekhalot is the Hebrew word for Palaces and Merkavah Hebrew word for Chariot. Both refer to mystical experiences and visions of the Divine.
This was the mystical tradition that the Apostle Paul would have known and followed. I believe it formed the background for his own mystical experiences as recorded in 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 . Let’s read it from an early Jewish mystical perspective.
1 It is necessary to boast; nothing is to be gained by it, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows. 3 And I know that such a person—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows— 4 was caught up into paradise and heard things that are not to be told, that no mortal is permitted to repeat. 5 On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. 6 But if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think better of me than what is seen in me or heard from me, 7 even considering the exceptional character of the revelations. Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. 8 Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, 9 but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” So I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ, for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.
This is ascent into heaven, as recorded by the Apostle Paul, matches perfectly with early Jewish mysticism. And this may have happened during the trance recorded in Acts 22:17-21. Again, let’s quote the relevant part.
17 “After I had returned to Jerusalem and while I was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance 18 and saw Jesus saying to me, ‘Hurry and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’ 19 And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you. 20 And while the blood of your witness Stephen was shed, I myself was standing by, approving and keeping the coats of those who killed him.’ 21 Then he said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the gentiles.’ ”
This was the single most important event in the history of Christianity. For until Paul took the gospel to the Gentiles, the early Jesus movement would have been nothing more than a sect of Judaism. It would never have become a worldwide religion.
Therefore, the very essence of Christianity, it’s very hard, is mystical. Mysticism forms the foundation upon which Christianity stands, and must continue to stand. Which means that we have to call the church back to a spiritual reality, rather than an outward form.
