It is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. –Jesus in Matthew 13:11 (KJV)
Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.” –Acts 2:13
About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance (Gk. ékstasis). –Acts 10:9-10
We do not know how we ought to pray; the Spirit himself pleads with God for us in groans that words cannot express. –Romans 8:26 (GNT)
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THAYER’S AND STRONG’S ON THE GREEK WORD EKSTASIS
THAYER’S
1. any casting down of a thing from its proper place or state, displacement.
2. a throwing of the mind out of its normal state, alienation of mind, whether such as makes a lunatic or that of a man who by some sudden emotion is transported as it were out of himself, so that in this rapt condition, although he is awake, his mind is drawn off from all surrounding objects and wholly fixed on things divine that he sees nothing but the forms and images lying within, and thinks that he perceives with his bodily eyes and ears realities shown him by God.
3. amazement, the state of one who, either owing to the importance or the novelty of an event, is thrown into a state of blended fear and wonderment.
STRONG’S
From G1839; a displacement of the mind, that is, bewilderment, “ecstasy”: – + be amazed, amazement, astonishment, trance.
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Etzel Cardeña, ed. The Varieties of Anomalous Experience, ch. 12: “Mystical Experience.”
Evelyn Underhill, The Mystic Way. (rf. by L. Ravenhill, Tried and Transfigured, p. 81).
Julia Loren and James Goll, Shifting Shadows of Supernatural Experiences, chs 2 and 7.
G. B. Scaramelli, A Handbook of Mystical Theology.
Arthur Devine, A Manual of Mystical Theology.
Don Basham, A Handbook on Holy Spirit Baptism.
Augustin Poulain, The Graces of Interior Prayer.
John Paul Jackson, The Biblical Model of Dream Interpretation.
Ira Milligan, Understanding the Dreams You Dream.
Smith Wigglesworth, Ever Increasing Faith.
Francis MacNutt, Overcome by the Spirit.
Guy Chevreau, Catch the Fire.
Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Joy Unspeakable.
John White, When the Spirit Comes with Power (charismatic psychiatrist).
Teresa of Avila, Interior Castle, ch. 4.
