Heaven
From EJ Hill & Friends
Contents |
Introduction
It may come as a surprise; but there are more than one, and no less than four; "heavens" mentioned in Scripture.
The First Heaven
The first "heaven" is "the physical world that all people can see" [1]; that which we know as the ATMOSPHERE, surrounding the Earth. [3|4]
We read, for instance, in Genesis chapter 1 verse 20 of the "fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven" (AKJV). Birds fly "in heaven", but certainly not to God's Throne.
We also read, in Genesis chapter 27 verse 28, Jacob blessing Isaac, with the words, "God give thee of the dew of heaven" (AKJV).
The Second Heaven
The second "heaven" is what we know as SPACE; that which holds the moon, stars, planets and comets.
"{14} And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the HEAVEN to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: {15} And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so. {16} And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: He made the stars also. {17} And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth." (Gen. 1v14-17, AKJV, p.1)
"When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars, ..." (Ps. 8v3, AKJV, p.258)
The Third Heaven
The Third "heaven", also called shamayi h'shamayim (םשמיה שמי: the "Heaven of Heavens") is "beyond the sight of human beings" [4]; the abode or dwelling place of God Himself. [3|4]
Paul in his Second Epistle to the Corinthians chapter 12 verses 1 to 4 writes:
"{1} It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. {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. {3} And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell. God knoweth;) {4} How that he was caught up into Paradise {G3857 paradeisos}, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter." (2 Cor. 12v1-4, AKJV, p.515)
The apparent parallelism of the passage equates the "Third Heaven" with "Paradise". [2]
"{1} After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. {2} And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, <u>a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne." (Rev. 4v1-2, AKJV, p.545)
The Fourth Heaven
The fourth "heaven" is what will be known as the Holy City, the New Jerusalem; that which is too come.
"{1} And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. {2} And I John saw THE HOLY CITY, NEW JERUSALEM, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. {3} And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, The tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God. {4} And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." (Rev. 21v1-4, AKJV, p.551)
Scripture References
Gen. 1v14-17, v20, 27v28; Ps. 8v3; 2 Cor. 12v1-4; Rev. 4v1-2, 21v1-4
Bibliography
1 Douglas Ward; What is the 'Third Heaven'? (The Voice). (07/04/2008) http://www.crivoice.org/thirdheaven.html
2 Matthew Henry; Commentary on the Whole Bible, Volume VI (Acts to Revelation): Second Corinthians Chap. XII, Public Domain, Library of Congress call no: BS490.H4; Christian Classics Ethereal Library. (07/04/2008) http://www.ccel.org/ccel/henry/mhc6.viii.xiii.html
3 Keith Hunt; Are Enoch, Moses, Elijah, in Heaven? (Restitution of All Things, 1981) (30/03/2008) http://www.keithhunt.com/Enochhea.html --- confuses the 'third heaven' with the 'new heaven'.
4 "Third Heaven": Wikipedia. (07/04/2008) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_Heaven
