Heaven - are there 3 levels?

sk8brdkd · May 27, 2020

When I talk about heaven to people, I think of it as 1 place, but, from a bible study I attended recently, they were discussing 3 levels of heaven. I don’t ever remember learning about 3 different levels of heaven when I was in school and just this 1 bible study. I just remember that as Christians, we go to heaven when we die.

also growing up, we learned heaven isn’t a place or a specific spot but if someone was to ask about heaven or where it was, what would you say to them?

Michie · May 27, 2020

You’d probably get more answers here: General Theology

Debate Other Religions & Faiths

Semper-Fi · May 27, 2020

Heaven Defined

“Thus the heavens and the earth were finished,
and all the host of them” This word heavens
refers to two different heavens. (Gen. 2:1)

The first heaven consists of [the Earth’s atmosphere]. The second heaven is the vast reaches of space beyond the atmosphere.

There is also a third heaven: the home of God. The Apostle Paul saw this “third heaven,” where God’s throne is, in a vision (ii Cor. 12:1-2).

This vision was so intensely realistic that Paul
was unable to tell if he was physically there,
or if he was seeing it in his mind.

In Heb. 4:14, the phrase “into the heavens,”
should be translated “through the heavens.”

We see that Jesus Christ passed through the
first two heavens—Earth’s atmosphere and
outer space—as He ascended to the third heaven.

John 3:13 reveals that no man has ascended to heaven[third] except for Jesus Christ.

d taylor · May 27, 2020

sk8brdkd said:
When I talk about heaven to people, I think of it as 1 place, but, from a bible study I attended recently, they were discussing 3 levels of heaven. I don’t ever remember learning about 3 different levels of heaven when I was in school and just this 1 bible study. I just remember that as Christians, we go to heaven when we die.

also growing up, we learned heaven isn’t a place or a specific spot but if someone was to ask about heaven or where it was, what would you say to them?

The three heavens are
1. The sky we see where the sun moon and stars are also where the birds fly.
2. The second heaven is more than likely above the waters that are above the raqia. That is likely, also where believers who have died are located.
3. The third heaven is above the second heaven and is the location of God The Father. See Ezekiel 1

Junia · May 27, 2020

Paul referred to being taken up into the 3rd Heaven, hwhich suggests there are at least 3 heavens

Michie · May 27, 2020

WrappedUpinHisLove3 said:
Paul referred to being taken up into the 3rd Heaven, hwhich suggests there are at least 3 heavens

Will we mingle??

sk8brdkd · May 27, 2020

d taylor said:
The three heavens are
1. The sky we see where the sun moon and stars are also where the birds fly.
2. The second heaven is more than likely above the waters that are above the raqia. That is likely, also where believers who have died are located.
3. The third heaven is above the second heaven and is the location of God The Father. See Ezekiel 1

I thought the believers are with God after they die and aren’t separate from him?

Dave G. · May 27, 2020

Michie said:
Will we mingle??

Don't know but it's in the Catholic approved bibles too. It's 2 Corinthians 12:1-6. He speaks about himself as if in the second person. I'll let you do your own search.

d taylor · May 27, 2020

sk8brdkd said:
I thought the believers are with God after they die and aren’t separate from him?

I doubt they are right at Gods throne, do you have any verses stating they are exactly at the same location. God the father is at the throne, they may have access to that area.

Albion · May 27, 2020

The Bible does refer to different levels of heaven. And it tells us that among those who are saved, there will be different rewards. Christ himself spoke of there being "many mansions" in his Father's house.

But as to the specifics, we aren't told much about them.

Michie · May 27, 2020

Dave G. said:
Don't know but it's in the Catholic approved bibles too. It's 2 Corinthians 12:1-6. He speaks about himself as if in the second person. I'll let you do your own search.

Oh I’m quite familiar with Scripture. I was just trying to be cute. Obvious fail! Lol

Dave G. · May 27, 2020

Michie said:
Oh I’m quite familiar with Scripture. I was just trying to be cute. Obvious fail! Lol

Nah, all is well Michie !

Kris Jordan · May 27, 2020

sk8brdkd said:
When I talk about heaven to people, I think of it as 1 place, but, from a bible study I attended recently, they were discussing 3 levels of heaven. I don’t ever remember learning about 3 different levels of heaven when I was in school and just this 1 bible study. I just remember that as Christians, we go to heaven when we die.

also growing up, we learned heaven isn’t a place or a specific spot but if someone was to ask about heaven or where it was, what would you say to them?

Hi sk8brdkd,

When the word “heaven” is used in Scripture, it does not automatically refer to God’s dwelling place. There are three different locations of “heaven” in Scripture, depending on the context of the verse. The word heaven can represent the immediate skies above, where clouds and birds are seen. It can signify outer space, where stars and planets are located. It can also indicate God’s dwelling place, which the Apostle Paul describes as “the third heaven” (2 Corinthians 12:2). To determine which heaven a particular verse specifies, one must look at the surrounding context of the passage.

God’s heavenly dwelling is a place of complete and total perfection. It is free from all sin, sickness, pain, disease, and death and is filled with His glory and majesty. God’s throne is in heaven, with the Father seated upon it and Jesus at His right hand. Day and night, God is worshiped, praised, and served by all His holy angels.

All believers who have died in faith are in heaven also. They have not received their glorified bodies yet, but they have been made perfect in every way possible (Hebrews 12:23).

At the end of all things, once the Millennium is over, God will destroy the current heavens and earth to create brand new ones. The new heavens and new earth will be the permanent dwellings for God, all born-again believers, and the holy angels forever.

Hope this helps!

Basil the Great · May 27, 2020

Some claim that there are many levels to Hell, including a few today that still hold out for Limbo being "the Outer Edge of Hell". Hence, I guess there could be many levels to Heaven. We simply do not know.

Paul4JC · May 27, 2020

Yes I think there are more than 3 if you include both physical and spiritual realms.

sk8brdkd · May 27, 2020

Kris Jordan said:
Hi sk8brdkd,

When the word “heaven” is used in Scripture, it does not automatically refer to God’s dwelling place. There are three different locations of “heaven” in Scripture, depending on the context of the verse. The word heaven can represent the immediate skies above, where clouds and birds are seen. It can signify outer space, where stars and planets are located. It can also indicate God’s dwelling place, which the Apostle Paul describes as “the third heaven” (2 Corinthians 12:2). To determine which heaven a particular verse specifies, one must look at the surrounding context of the passage.

God’s heavenly dwelling is a place of complete and total perfection. It is free from all sin, sickness, pain, disease, and death and is filled with His glory and majesty. God’s throne is in heaven, with the Father seated upon it and Jesus at His right hand. Day and night, God is worshiped, praised, and served by all His holy angels.

All believers who have died in faith are in heaven also. They have not received their glorified bodies yet, but they have been made perfect in every way possible (Hebrews 12:23).

At the end of all things, once the Millennium is over, God will destroy the current heavens and earth to create brand new ones. The new heavens and new earth will be the permanent dwellings for God, all born-again believers, and the holy angels forever.

Hope this helps!

yes. Thank you very much.

Tolworth John · May 28, 2020

sk8brdkd said:
someone was to ask about heaven or where it was, what would you say to them?

Jesus said he was going to prepare a place for us and from his prayers it is clear he expects to have us with him in heaven.
So I would say that heaven is where ever Jesus is and that it is not in this universe, as at Jesus's second coming this universe will be destroyed and we will be in the new heaven and earth with Jesus.

Heaven - are there 3 levels?

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