I have a Christian friend (used loosely) that thinks that the Bible is very clear that there is three Heavens. I have tried to look for some information that would explain what the real Bible verses are talking about but it is such a goofy idea that I have not been able to find any information on it.
He quotes:
2 Corinthians**
Chapter 12**
1 I must boast; not that it is profitable, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2 I know someone in Christ who, fourteen years ago (whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows), was caught up to the third heaven.
So if anyone has some quotes of the true meaning of this or any other verses that seem to talk about more than one heaven it would be greatly appreciated.
Hi, Enid!
…I’ve heard this before… and some answers are quite contrived… yet, if we pay attention to Scriptures we may find the answers right from Genesis:
1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
God Reveals that He Created the Heavens (more than one level/understanding of the term: Heaven).
1:8 God called the vault ‘heaven’. Evening came and morning came: the second day.
…here we have a division of H20–that which is found on earth (water masses and vapor, etc.) and within earth’s atmosphere (the clouds, man, look at the clouds–sorry couldn’t help it, a childhood flashback!
). So God called this body of water (clouds) Heaven.
From human perspective that is the first Heaven–interestingly enough, in Spanish we refer to it as “cielo” (Heaven)–that zone where the clouds exist.
1:14 God said, ‘Let there be lights in the vault of heaven to divide day from night, and let them indicate festivals, days and years. 1:15 Let them be lights in the vault of heaven to shine on the earth.’ And so it was. 1:16 God made the two great lights: the greater light to govern the day, the smaller light to govern the night, and the stars. 1:17 God set them in the vault of heaven to shine on the earth,
…now we have God redefining the “vault of Heaven” as the area where He places the sun, moon, and other astronomical bodies; it is the second Heaven.
9 Yes, the heavens are as high above earth as my ways are above your ways, my thoughts above your thoughts.
(Isaiah 55:9)
7 And now war broke out in heaven, when Michael with his angels attacked the dragon. The dragon fought back with his angels, 8 but they were defeated and driven out of heaven. (Apocalypse [Revelation] 12:7-8)
…then we have Heaven as a place where God and the angels dwell. This would be the third Heaven in St. Paul’s and St. John’s visions.
Coincidentally, Apocalypse 12 does note all three Heavens (v3, sky/first Heaven; v2, Heaven where astronomical bodies exist; vv7-8, Heaven where God Dwells).
Maran atha!
Angel