Now it was to Jesus that the heavens were opened; and on that occasion no one except John is recorded to have seen them opened. But with respect to this opening of the heavens, the Saviour, foretelling to His disciples that it would happen, and that they would see it, says, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye shall see the heavens opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man." (cf. John 1.51) And so Paul was carried away into the third heaven, having previously seen it opened, since he was a disciple of Jesus. (cf. 2 Cor. 12.2).

Καὶ τῷ Ἰησοῦ γε ἠνοίχθησαν οἱ οὐρανοί· καὶ τότε μὲν πλὴν Ἰωάννου οὐδεὶς ἀναγέγραπται ἑωρακέναι ἀνοιχθέντας τοὺς οὐρανούς. Τοῦτο δὲ τὸ ἀνοιχθῆναι τοὺς οὐρανοὺς προλέγων τοῖς μαθηταῖς ὁ σωτὴρ ἐσόμενον ὀψομένοις αὐτό φησιν· Ἀμὴν ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν͵ ὄψεσθε τὸν οὐρανὸν ἀνεῳγότα καὶ τοὺς ἀγγέλους τοῦ θεοῦ ἀναβαί νοντας καὶ καταβαίνοντας ἐπὶ τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου. Καὶ οὕτως Παῦλος ἡρπάγη εἰς τρίτον οὐρανόν͵ πρότερον ἰδὼν αὐτὸν ἀνοιχθέντα͵ ἐπεὶ μαθητὴς ἦν Ἰησοῦ. 

Cf. PLATO : Paideia - out of the cave, Wisdom, Philosophy needs eyesight, A nature of wondrous beauty, Birth in good and beauty ||| GREGORY OF NYSSA : Christ is always born in our soul ||| GREGORY THE THEOLOGIAN : God with Gods is being united ||| MACARIUS THE GREAT : Overcome by Heavenly Desire ||| GREGORY PALAMAS : Calling everything near Him