1st/2nd/3rd Heavens?

[knownbeforetime]

I was listening to a teaching yesterday and the teacher was talking about Paul's visitation of the 3rd heaven. He said that the 1st heaven is the universe, the 2nd heaven is Satan's domain, and the 3rd heaven is where God's throne is.

Since the teaching wasn't about that, he didn't go into specifics. The only scripture he mentioned in regards to this was Ephesians 2:2 and that "air" is referring to the second heaven. I have to admit that it sounds like a good idea but that don't mean anything...

So, here's my question: What is your opinion on this matter? Post accompanying scriptures please!

 

[tturt]

There are several verses - here's a sample:
Earth's atmosphere:
Gen 7:23 “And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark.”

2nd heaven - can be seen - There are 2 accounts where Elisha did


II Kings 6: 17 “And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.”



II Kings 2: 11 “And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.”


3rd heaven - 2Co 12:2 “I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth such an one caught up to the third heaven.”

 

[knownbeforetime]

Why is it never called the 2nd Heaven?

 

[Alpine]

I always had the impression that the 1st heaven is our atmosphere, the 2nd space and the universe, and the third heaven itself.

 

[Father Rick]

Very close Alpine...


In most Jewish thought (remember Paul was Jewish), the earth's atmosphere is referred to as the first heaven, outerspace as the second heaven, and the spiritual ream as the "third heaven". (some more esoteric elements actually had seven "heavens"-- but that is more kabbalistic)