Has anyone heard of the three heavens?

Question

My christian pastor was talking of three heaven's but he didn't go into detail can someone explain this to me?

Answer 1

This is NOT Mormon theology; Paul talks about the 3rd heaven:

I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know--God knows. And I know that this man--whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows I was caught up to paradise 2 CO 12:2

Answer 2

Third Heaven. At 2 Corinthians 12:2-4 the apostle Paul describes one who was “caught away . . . to the third heaven” and “into paradise.” Since there is no mention in the Scriptures of any other person having had such an experience, it seems likely that this was the apostle’s own experience. Whereas some have endeavored to relate Paul’s reference to the third heaven to the early rabbinic view that there were stages of heaven, even a total of “seven heavens,” this view finds no support in the Scriptures. As we have seen, the heavens are not referred to specifically as if divided into platforms or stages, but, rather, the context must be relied upon to determine whether reference is to the heavens within earth’s atmospheric expanse, the heavens of outer space, the spiritual heavens, or something else. Note the way words and expressions are repeated three times at Isaiah 6:3; Ezekiel 21:27; John 21:15-17; Revelation 4:8, evidently for the purpose of expressing an intensification of the quality or idea.

If you want to learn more about what the bible really teaches

www.watchtower.org

Answer 3

According to some belief "heaven" is just another plain of life, with different levels of being. The more of a righteous person you are in this world, the closer you are to The Lord in the next. It is said that there is nothing better we can experience that comes close to being along side The Lord. Now, given that, you must also recognize that all people sin, and as we sin so shall we be judged. So for when we leave this world we will not know heaven immediately for me must atone for the wrongs that we've done and according to how much wrong you have done will dictate the amount of time to wait. But when you get there, it is nothing you would be able to explain with words or writing.

Answer 4

II Corinthians 12:2, Paul says "I know a man ...such a man was caught up into the third heaven."
Logic dictates that if there is a third of anything, there must be a first and second.
Ephesians 4:10 He who descended (Christ) is Himself also He who ascended far above ALL THE HEAVENS ...
Here again, we have a passage that by the laws of grammar dictate that there must be at least 3 heavens, as it would be grammatically inaccurate to describe anything less than 3 as "all the..."
From this we deduce there are at least 3 heavens. The first heaven or second heaven are never referred to as such in those terms in Scripture (to my knowledge), but reputable Bible teachers belief the third heaven refers to the heaven where God dwells; the 2nd heaven probably roughly corresponds to what we would commonly call outer space; and the first heaven refers to the atmosphere of the earth.

Answer 5

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormon) beliefs hold three "heavens". In this belief only the worst sinners suffer eternal damnation (Mass murderers etc...) We all sin, Jesus Christ died for our sins, so that we may be forgiven (this is common to all christian faiths).

Celestial Kingdom:
In the Celestial Kingdom-the highest degree of glory, people have the opportunity to enter into the exalted state of Godhood. In the presence of God the Father, they will live in family units and continue to have children after the resurrection.

Terrestrial Kingdom:
In the Terrestrial Kingdom-the next highest degree of glory, people do not have the opportunity to enter into the exalted state of Godhood. While they do not dwell in the presence of God the Father, the inhabitants of this kingdom do receive the ministrations of Jesus Christ-the second member of the Godhead

Telestial Kingdom:
In the Telestial Kingdom-the lowest degree of glory, while the inhabitants do not receive the ministrations of Jesus Christ or enjoy the presence of God the Father, they do enjoy the companionship of the Holy Ghost-the third member of the Godhead.

If the word "Godhead" is a bit confusing the Catholic doctrine
which holds the "trinity" of God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy ghost as one and the same. Mormons believe they are thre seperate entities.

And for those who will condem Mormons and their beliefs (while I'm not Mormon myself), check basically any faith on the planet with a critical eye and you'll have some VERY "ify" spots, that just don't make sense.

Answer 6

Oh yes! Just ask a Mormon. Lucky for you I'm a Mormon.There are three degrees of Heaven
highest to lowest; Celestial,Terrestial, and Telestial. Heaven is not a pass fail thing. These different degrees will separate the extremely righteous from those just barely righteous enough to get into Heaven. 1 Corinthians 15:40ish touches on this subject although in 40 it leaves out the telestial part, it talks about it in 41.,the sun moon and stars(representative of the three degrees) Some of our other doctrine has it though D and C 76:98 ( you can look that up on line)Deep subject . Hope this was enough to get you started . Any more questions you acan e mail me. Thanks

Answer 7

The three heavens are:
1. the visible heaven we all see
2. the heaven places where the evil spirits dwell - Ep 6:12
3. the third heaven - God's dwelling place - 2 Cor 12:2

Answer 8

Only three? Read the Book of Ezekiel and one other prophet that was taken up to heaven.There are at least 7 to 9 levels of Heaven the same as there are levels of Hell.
The levels of Heaven refer to soul engery levels. the highest being the home of the CREATOR.
The levels of Hell refer to the type of sin the persons soul commited while on earth.A different level for each sin and a diferent ruler .

Answer 9

According to the Buddhism there are 6 heavens..
1."Yamaya"
2."Thusithaya"
3."Nirmana rathiya"
4."ThavaTinsaya"
5.'Paranirmitha Wasavarthiya"
6."Tautisava"

and 4 hells
1. "Pratha"
2. "Asara"
3. "Thirisan"
4. "Narakaya"

But more to all above best life is the life as a man or woman on the earth........

Answer 10

Paul said he knew someone who went to the 3rd heaven, (it was probably himself) and he called it paradise. He said the man heard things that he was not permitted to tell. This is in 2 Corinthians 12:2-4.