Are there 3 heavens?

Question

2 Corinthians 12:2-4

2I 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. 3And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— 4was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell.

I would like to know what you guys think about this passage, I have always been lead to believe that there is one heaven. What do you say?

Answer 1

Aha, someone actually thinking for a change. Refreshing.

God in "heaven": "higher than the (plural divided) heavens".
God on "high": in the (midst of plural divided L/R) "heavens".
So yes, there are three heavens to consider, and sort out;
For of great greater greatest, only greatest of 3 never fails.

There are also two Gods to sort out: on "high" and "higher".
God our Saviour: "Grace": is not God our Destroyer: "Law".

Higher God: I will never leave thee nor forsake thee: Grace
God on high: I will forsake you, the city, your fathers: Law

Exhortations, about such allegoric mystery of God to solve:
- mind not "high" things(plural: law vs law divided left/right)
- mark and avoid them which cause divisons(L/R heavens)
- be not "high"-minded, for it's among un-holy in 2Timothy 3

As for John going to "third heaven", it's Right of "heavens".
James & John(Sons of Thunder) wanted to be Left & Right.
Johnny Law only wanted to be right to make others wrong.
It's also a Pauline reference to Revelation "Paul" also wrote.
In Revelation, Johnny Law Prophet Saw himself in heaven.

"heaven": "above" is grace us ... "higher"(unity: peace)
(law)left<-"heavens"->right(law) ... "high"(war: division)

"heaven": "above": "greatest" of 3: "Grace"
great(OT law)<-"heavens"->(NT law)greater

At "the throne of grace" only mercy is obtainable: Heb 4.

Reference to "war in heaven" isn't about higher heaven,
for there is only grace->mercy->peace in higher heaven.

Note:
ppl recovering from highs speak of a HIGHER pwr after

The GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ with you all. Amen.

Answer 2

I actually have a scholarly answer!

Hebrew samayim Strong's 8064

First meaning: it can mean sky, and 'realm of the sky' , ( where the birds fly)

Second meaning: basically means the upper atmosphere, where frost comes from, rain, snow, fire ( ! ) , dust, hail.

Third meaning: the realm where the sun, moon, and stars are located.

Fourth meaning: meaning 'entire creation'.

Fifth meaning: The dwelling place of God. Not meaning height' but an 'absolute' , not to be identified with physical creation.
-- Vine's Expository Dictionary Pgs. 109 - 110.

EDIT: According to the same book, 2 Corinthians 12:2-4 uses the Greek word ' ouranos ' Strong's 3772

The Greek uses several words to describe a place translated 'Heaven'. The one is your verse; 2 Corinthians 12:2 has a lot going on in it. Everything from Christ coming from it to meet with the saints in the air ( the Second Coming) and a place where the resurrected saints will be, so where he resides with the Father. There's more, a lot more.


Get this book!

Answer 3

Seems you got the christian and the Mormon answer, but I think the mormon answer come from the pearl of great price, another book besides their book of Mormon.
The christian answer is the first heaven is the earthly realm, the second is the angelic between heaven and earth (if I understaood my pastor right) which is why some gifted people can see the angels when they are around (and demons) and the heavenly realm, were God is.

Answer 4

Well, lets count them.
There's the heavens that birds fly in.
There's the heavens that satellites fly in.
There's the heavens that the planets travel in.
There's the heavens the stars are set in.
There's the heavens beyond the physical universe, ie, beyond spacetime.
There's the heavens that angels and demons inhabit.
There's the Heaven which God inhabits.

Isn't that seven?

Answer 5

There is one Planet Heaven.

There are three heavens.
1. Earths Atmosphere
2. Star System
3. Planet Heaven

Planet Heaven is alot like Earth cause Earth is a copy of Heaven.
What you see down here, alot of it will be on Planet Heaven too.
Earth was once just like Heaven.
Then, satan was kicked outta Heaven and ended up on Earth messing it up.
Then, GOD gave Mankind a Chance to help straighten Earth out and Adam blew it.
Well, Jesus will take over soon.
Planet Heaven is a lot more Spiritual than Earth, but Earth used to be just as Spiritual until it got Cursed.

Hope this helps.
Ditto............

Answer 6

According to me, there is paradise where the dead in Christ go when they die (1st), then there is the heavens where the stars and planets play (2) and there is heaven where God is (3).

Answer 7

There is one Heaven with 3 degrees of glory.

One that shines like the sun. Celestial Glory
One that shines like the moon. Telestial Glory
one that shines like the stars. Terestrial Glory

Answer 8

This verse refers to the 1. atmoshere, 2. space and 3. heaven where God lives.

Answer 9

YES THERE ARE 3 HEAVENS. IF YOU LOOK UP GENESIS chapter 1 verse 1, "GOD CREATED THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH". NOT THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH. THE FIRST HEAVEN IS THE ONE WE HAVE TODAY. THE ONE THAT VERSE IS TALKING ABOUT IS PARADISE WHERE HE COULDN'T EVEN EXPRESS. BUT THE SECOND HEAVEN IS THE ONE THAT NO ONE KNOWS. BUT ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE, THE SECOND HEAVEN IS FOUND ON EARTH, IT IS CALL ZION, WHERE THE FEAST OF GOD ARE CELEBRATED, WHERE ETERNAL LIFE IS GIVEN THROUGH THE NEW COVENANT PASSOVER. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CONTACT ME, IN ORDER FOR SOMEONE TO GET TO THE THIRD HEAVEN THEY MUST PASS THROUGH THE FIRST, SECOND, THEN THIRD. IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHERE IS THE SECOND ONE PLEASE CONTACT ME.

Answer 10

Well, try reading a few verses before that one. There is one heaven, one hell, and one earth. That's what I believe. Maybe the bible meant that the 14 year old had believed that each one of them was a heaven and God taught him otherwise. My advice- re-read and look for context clues.

Answer 11

Yes. The celestial kingdom is where we can live in glory with our families forever, with God, worshipping him and progressing to become ever more like him.

The terrestrial kingdom is for all those who were good and worthy people but who did not truly give their lives to Christ. It's nice, it's heaven, they are angels, but they haven't reached their full potential.

The telestial kingdom is for those who were bad people in life, who hurt others or didn't care. I suppose that's hell.