HOW MANY HEAVENS ARE THERE?
YES! THERE ARE MORE THAN ONE
Not many Christians are aware of this but according to God’s Word there are three heavens. Most Christians think of heaven only as a place where God dwells – the place where redeemed souls go at death. But the Bible clearly tells of three distinct heavens and according to Scripture the first heaven is where the clouds are (Job 38:9). The second heaven is where the sun, moon, and the stars are (Isaiah 13:10). Then there is the third heaven – the Heaven of heavens – where God and all the heavenly being’s dwell (2 Cor. 12:2). The third heaven is what most people simply think of as “Heaven.”
Did you know that Jesus passed through all three heavens when He ascended? “Seeing then that we had a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession (Hebrews 4:14).” Then in Ephesians 4:10 we read, “He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.”
The Bible uses the word “heavens” referring to multiple heavens not one heaven. As we see from creation, from Genesis, God created heavens not one heaven. Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” This is confirmed again in the next chapter of Genesis 2:1, “Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them were finished.” As you can see these two verses are in agreement with one another in talking of heavens (many). In some Bible versions, these two verses are not in agreement. Some Bible versions got Genesis 1:1 wrong. The original word is “heavens” (many) not heaven (one). Finally, look what Genesis 2:4 says, “This is the history of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens.” (NKJV)
There are many more Bible verses confirming this in the Old Testament such as: Deuteronomy 32:1; 2 Samuel 22:10; 1 Chronicles 16:26; Job 9:8; Psalm 19:1; Haggai 2:6. Then in the New Testament we have it confirmed in Mark 1:10 and 2 Peter 3:10. Finally we see the apostle Paul saying that he knew a man in Christ caught up in the third heaven (2 Corinthians 12:2).
NOW, LET US TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT WHAT SCRIPTURE SAYS:
First Heaven – The first heaven is the Earth’s atmosphere; the immediate sky with its clouds and birds and life-giving oxygen. It is the heaven referred to in the Bible verses: Deuteronomy 11:17, 28:12; Judges 5:4; Job 38:9; Isaiah 55:10-11; Acts 14:17. Another example: “And he (Elijah) prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced fruit (James 5:18).”
Second Heaven – The second heaven is where the moon, sun, stars, and the planets are; outer space. It is the heaven referred to in the Bible verses: Deuteronomy 17:3, 4:19; Psalms 19:4, 6; Jeremiah 8:2; Isaiah 13:10. Another example: “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken (Matthew 24:29).”
The second heaven is also where Satan and his demons dwell. While space exploration has revealed a great deal about the second heaven, there still remains a great mystery. There is a spiritual realm that resides in the second heaven. While we know there is spiritual warfare on earth, there are hints in the Bible that tells us spiritual warfare is even greater in the second heaven. For example: A cosmic battle took place when Satan withstood Michael as he tried to leave the third heaven and come to earth in answer to Daniel’s prayer (Daniel 10:12-14).
Third Heaven – The third heaven is the dwelling place of God and His heavenly hosts. It is the heaven referred to in the Bible verses: 1 Kings 8:30; Psalm 2:4; Matthew 5:16; Acts 7:55; Hebrews 8:1. The third heaven is also referred to as heaven of heavens. This is referenced in verses: Deuteronomy 10:14; 1 Kings 8:27; 2 Chronicles 2:6. Here’s another example from 2 Corinthians 12:2: The third heaven is the one Paul had in mind when he wrote, “I know a man in Christ who 14 years ago was caught up in the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know – God knows.” Paul here speaks of a personal and actual experience when he was caught up into heaven and given revelations he could not speak about. Some think this occurred when he was stoned and left for dead (Acts 14:19).
Is heaven most people’s desire? I know it’s my desire. No matter what happens here on Earth, the one thing that will make it all worthwhile is that after death I will open my eyes and find myself face-to-face with Jesus in heaven. I don’t think this is a unique thought or desire. I believe that, if asked, most people would want the same thing when they die – to go to heaven. The problem in our world is not the desire of mankind to go to heaven, the problem is that there are several “heavens” being marketed out there by Satan, the deceiver of mankind.
NOW, LET US BRIEFLY EXPLORE SOME OF THE OTHER “HEAVENS” THAT ARE BEING PROMOTED BY SATAN:
(1). Material Heaven – Atheists, secular humanists, communists, evolutionists, etc. are those who believe that this physical universe is the only thing that exists. They seek their heavenly reward here on earth. It maybe fame, wealth, power, pleasure, advanced intellectual achievement, etc. But material heaven is all that these people will ever receive here in this life because there is nothing after this life is over for them.
(2). Mystic Heaven – This is the paradise promoted by most eastern and Far Eastern religions. It is the heaven of the Hindus, Buddhists, etc. They believe that a person is immersed or swallowed up by the great force of the universe – (the Hindu religion calls it Brahma; Buddhists refer to it as Nirvana). The problem with mystic religion is that the nature of the place and requirements for entry change from generation to generation as new religions and variations occur.
(3). Earthly Heaven – I refer to the Paradise of Islam (Muslim religion) as one of the earthly heavens. The promise is an afterlife that is very much like life on earth but without the natural restrictions. For example: good food, lovely companions, the total victory of Muslim ideology (Sharia law – which features a severe form of male domination). A particular feature of Islam’s heaven is that it appeals mainly to men and their human appetites. In their view there are levels in heaven and only a few will reach the top tier to be with god.
(4). Sectarian Heaven – All those who think they are the only ones going to heaven because they’ve understood a special teaching or follow a certain “human” leader. Good examples are the Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses. Mormons will spend eternity populating the planets of the universe according to the writings of their leader and founder, Joseph Smith (1830). Jehovah’s Witnesses will have 144,000 and only that number in their sectarian heaven. A teaching promoted by their founder Charles Russell (1872).
As you can see above, religion is Satan’s forte, and I believe that this is one more way for Satan, in his disguise as the angel of light/knowledge (1 Cor.11:14), to confuse and lead people astray. Look, just about every religion has a concept of heaven. One of the major differences between true Christianity (not the Counterfeit Christianity we see) and other religions is generally the requirements necessary to enter into heaven. For most other religions – and I am making a very general statement here – heaven is gained based on the summary of works you do in this life.
True Christianity on the other hand, is the only religion where heaven is not obtained by what you do but by what was done for you. Heaven is not the reward for your good works, it is the reward for your faith and what or rather who you believe. Your complete faith and total trust in Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Nothing Else is the way you gain access to heaven. This is different from every other religion.
The reason you can have complete confidence in your salvation, your hope of eternal life, and your view of heaven, is the truth and fact of Jesus’s resurrection. The true hope of the Christian faith is that there is an empty tomb. In other words, because He lives, we will live also. Remember what Jesus told His disciples: “Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you will also live (John 14:19).” Our hope and confidence of heaven is because Jesus got up from the grave. His resurrection is the confidence and the truth that sets true Christianity apart from all others. This is where our hope lies. In 1 Corinthians 15:20-22 we read this: “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man (Adam), the resurrection of the dead comes also through a Man (Jesus). For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.”
HERE IS THE WAY TO THE ONLY HEAVEN THAT EXISTS:
There is only one real heaven, and it is the heaven described in the Bible. We know that the third heaven is the legitimate heaven because only Jesus has been there (John 8: 23-24), described it to us, and confirmed this fact with His resurrection. The great blessing to all people on earth is that the third heaven is offered to all, and God has made no secret of it. The God of heaven, through His Son Jesus Christ, offers everyone the opportunity of joining Him there.
(1). Believe that Jesus is what the Bible claims He is, the Son of God, and be prepared to acknowledge this before others. Scripture says, “…. that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved (Romans 10:9).”
(2). Repent of your sins and be baptized to receive forgiveness. Scripture says, “Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38).”
If you want to be where Jesus is now, then faith, repentance, and baptism is the course to follow. Please don’t put it off because, unlike the third heaven, this world does have an end and when it comes there will be no tomorrows, only judgement (1 Thess. 5:2-3).
In closing, to those that DO know the Lord, I want you to know that there WILL be tears in heaven. Yes. When we get to Heaven and look upon the Lord Jesus, we are going to cry and weep. When we realize how much He has done for us and how little we have done for Him, many tears will be shed. Some believers will be terribly ashamed when they stand before the Lord (1 John 2:28). But we are assured that God will ultimately wipe away all tears from our eyes (Rev. 21:4).
Oscar