On or about July 10 of 1970, at the age of 17, Phil Snyder had a “Third Heaven” encounter with God, remarkably similar to what the Apostle Paul briefly describes in 2 Corinthians 12:1-4. What happened to him that night affected him in ways that do not remotely compare with anything else in his life before or since, and it has only been during the last few years that God has begun to reveal to Phil a solid understanding of this revelation in light of his word.

Phil’s hope and expectation is that God will use this work to show how perfectly he has laid plans for us to grow in the holiness of Christ’s likeness, without which it is impossible to be in his presence, let alone sit with him on his throne. Although he has been in the public eye at various levels as a minister and performing artist, Phil has never publicly related his story until now. The reasons it has taken him this long - nearly 50 years - to tell it in detail are many and varied. Chief among them are God’s timing and purposes. As he has matured in love for the Lord and the Body of Christ, Phil believes he finally has God’s mandate to tell the story.

Though the events he describes took place so long ago, the most salient portions are indelibly seared into his soul, with details he has recalled and contemplated innumerable times. This book is structured to begin with narratives of certain key episodes in his life that pertain and lead up to the central revelation in the “Third Heaven”. Then, subsequent chapters will expand on, elaborate on, and analyze portions of the revelations in light of Scripture. Phil’s purpose is to demonstrate its relevance to every disciple of Christ and child of God.