The Three Heavens

(Author's Note: I've expanded this article with more detail and teachings. Part 2 can be found here with more to discover!)

The established structure of the Heavens are found in Genesis 1. The simple fact that Jesus passed THROUGH the heavens gives much evidence that there are more than one heaven as evidenced in Hebrews 4:14 saying, "Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession." The Bible also refers to a "third" heaven, which means if there is a third heaven, there has to be a first and second heaven. In 2 Corinthians 12:2 the Apostle Paul says, "I 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." 

Here's a diagram that I found that sums up the structure:

There are three heavens, entirely distinct from each other.

Heaven on Earth

Let's explore the heavens by order. The 1st Heaven is the Earth or Atmospheric Heaven. The atmospheric heavens include the air that we breathe as well as the space that immediately surrounds the earth. The technical term for this is the "troposphere." It extends about twenty miles above the earth. The space above this is called the "stratosphere." The atmosphere (air) where we live here on earth. Our body identifies with this atmosphere, and we experience it with our five earthly (bodily, physical) senses – eyes, nose, mouth, ears, and touch. This is the heaven that we are most in touch with; experience the most. The Scripture uses the term heaven to describe this area. In Deuteronomy 28:12, it says, "The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow." And another good reference is Judges 5:4, "LORD, when thou went out of Seir, when thou marched out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, and the heavens dropped, the clouds also dropped water." One last reference of many in the Bible is Matthew 6:26, "Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather in barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them." 

The 2nd Heaven is the Celestial Heaven or Outer Space (Stellar Heaven). It includes the sun, moon, and stars. The second heaven is above us and has influence on our soul – mind and emotions. Colossians 1:16 "For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him." Then in Deuteronomy 4:19, "And take heed, lest you lift up your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun, the moon, and the stars, all the host of heaven, you feel driven to worship them and serve them, which the Lord your God has given to all the peoples under the whole heaven as a heritage." The Scripture speaks of heavenly spheres beyond that which is visible from the earth. It is called the heaven of heavens. Satan was expelled from the third heaven and is now on the earth among us, but he rules from the second heaven. Ephesians 6:12 says, "we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." Notice it says "places" as in plural? Luke 10:18 makes another reference to Satan falling from heaven, "And He said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven." The psalmist wrote, "Praise Him, you heaven of heavens and you waters above the heavens!" Psalm 148:4!! 

Now to the 3rd Heaven! That is the dwelling place of God the Father. The home of God! The third heaven is where God rules from. It is the highest location of the Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Heaven. This is the heaven that Satan was thrown out of. The third heaven is where God’s angels reside, and it is the present location of the New Jerusalem. The third heaven is where one receives revelation from God. Revelation 4:1-2 states "After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, "Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this." Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne." The Bible is clear that God cannot be limited to any one geographical place. "But will indeed God dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You." (1 Kings 8:27). Yet Scripture also teaches us that there is a certain geographical place where God resides. It is also designated heaven. The writer to the Hebrews said in Hebrews 8:1, "The point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven.

The heavens were established as a right of rule. They were created as invisible environments (atmospheres) where one must live in spirit to experience them. There are invisible creatures that also live in the heavens – God’s angels and Satan’s fallen angels.The whole point of the heavens is to establish a right of rule (dominion). Man has been given the right of rule (self-control)  in the 1st and 2nd heavens through God's power in Jesus' name. The only way to fully experience these rights is to repent, be born again, die to self and accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior! Will you establish yours and learn to experience these realms?

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