CAUGHT UP

CAUGHT UP
There are several places in the New Testament where the term "caught up" is used. An examination of them is enlightening.
The first one we will look at is 2 Corinthians 12:2 "I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth; such an one caught up to the third heaven. See end note.
II Corinthians 12:4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
Paul said he didn't know whether he left his body or not. One thing he did know--he was into another realm entirely. Where and what is "Paradise?'
My mind goes to the conversation which Jesus had with Nicodemus. Notice the words, "up" "down" and "in" as Jesus used them. John 3:13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, [even] the Son of man which is in heaven.
Where, exactly, was Jesus while He was conversing with Nicodemus?
Another Scripture that is our favorite is I Thes. 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with
the Lord.
I have some questions about whether we have been given the correct interpretation of this verse. (1) Is the "shout and the voice of the Archangel" supposed to be something audible, or is it figurative language, as so much of the Scripture is? (2) Just what does the "trump of God" consist of, and will it be audible to the human ear?
The third question concerns the phrase "caught up". Does it actually mean leaving terra firma, or is there a hidden meaning to this also?
Next come questions about what we have been taught about "clouds". Does the term mean those things we see in our skies almost every day? Maybe not, when we look at all the places where the term is used in Scripture.
My question about the term "air" just won't go away and be quiet. I am fairly sure that it is not talking about the stuff we breathe. The ONLY other Biblical definition I can find is in Eph 2:2 "Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: This creates more questions than it answers.
Here are a couple more Scriptures for us to look at along this line of thinking.
Revelation 11:12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.
Revelation 12:5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and [to] his throne.
E. Warren Anglin brought up this subject. M.F.
End Note: Paul' use of the term "third heaven" is referring to Peter's definition of the "former", which perished in the flood, that which now is, and the one we "look for", or the "third" heaven, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
II Peter 3:6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
II Peter 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.