Third Heaven?

[christianbeginning]

2 Corinthians 12:11 refers to someone being taken up to a third heaven – what is that (a third heaven)?

 

[FreeinChrist]

My understanding is that the 1st heaven is the atmosphere around earth, the second heaven being the stars and universe, and the thrid heaven being where God is. Many scholars beleive Paul was referring to himself in II Corinthians 12:11.

 

[seangoh]

ah FreeinChrist you were just a second faster than me.haha..i agree fully with what you said.
To bring it further, whether in the body or out of the body, Paul had undoubtedly had a vision and so during this vision, there is complate absence of sense to your earthly surroundings. It's just like dreams, we can feel and sense that we are "there" in the body. I believe this is what Paul meant and thus he said he wasn't sure. Only God knows what happened to him.

 

[christianbeginning]

Thanks, that makes sense...

since we are talking about Paul's writings:

In 2 Corinthians 11:7 he refers to giving them the gospel free of charge…did he charge others and did other workers who spread the gospel, whether sincerely or no, charge a fee?

 

[Knight]

Paul was defending himself against people who were slandering him. They claimed that he was in it for the money.

Paul, typically supported himself through his trade. (tentmaking) There is Scriptural evedince that he recieved financial assistance from the Philippian church.