Paul spoke about the concept of the third heaven. (Acts 14:17). This is the realm of birds and clouds that surrounds the entire earth. He also says that a lot of heterosexuals will NOT be there either. What happened during Pauls desert years was only the beginning of a life-long processGod renewed his mind and transformed him into the image of Christ. 3. 12:2). Ecclesiastes 3:1 planning life. The word heaven is found 238 times in the New Testament alone. The first heaven is what is called the firmament or sky that covers the earth. Interestingly, Paul uses the phrase caught up to refer to how he was transported to heaven; its the same Greek word used in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 to refer to the rapture of the church. Numbers 19:12 | View whole chapter | See verse in context. The heaven we most often think of is the third heaven. 2. 8:3; Isa. The scriptural examples of the seven heavens in the Old Testament are labored attempts to validate extra-biblical teachings. God, however, is certainly not limited to one geographical place. Heaven is a real place described in the Bible. If you work your way through the nearly 700 occurrences of the word heaven in the Bible, you soon realize there is a plurality of heavens. Paul is taken up into the third heaven and hears words not to be spoken of. 21. 6:9 (3 Ne. And I know that this man was caught up into paradisewhether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not 6:12). In the original version of Pauls journey to the third heaven, the only messenger that the apostle meets is an angel of Satan. The third heaven. Although he does not identify the first two, possible references to the atmospheric and celestial heavens are suggestive. 2 Corinthians 12:24 The Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) 2 I know a man in Christ who was caught up into the third heaven 14 years ago. If they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, Mosiah 2:41. Therefore, Paul, like John in Revelation, had a heavenly vision. And someday we will be in the third heaven too. The first heaven is the immediate atmosphere above us, the second heaven is the place where the sun, moon, and stars exist, and the third heaven is Gods dwelling place. The Third Heaven is where God dwells; It is The Divine Country of continual marvel, fullness of joy and holy pleasures evermore. Following his list of boasts in 2 Corinthians 11:2233, Paul further English Standard Version Coming back to II Cor. 0. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not knowGod knows. The heavens, even the highest heavens cannot contain you (1 Kings 8:27). This is the 3rd Heaven In my opinion, that connects us to the new heaven of Rev. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to The Third Heaven Douglas Ward. The location I write about here is where Christians go when we die. 1:1). The first heaven I believe is our earth where we live at. It is clear that Paul was speaking of himself (v. 7). By: Steve Shirley A: The third heaven, also called Paradise by Paul (2 Cor 12:4), is the place where the Lord and all believers who have died are residing. It's important to note here that Paradise is not the third heavens spoken of in Revelation, but the pleasant section of Hades, where the spiritd of Abraham and all the just are, awaiting the resurrection (Luke 16:22-23; 25-26). The Bible says we are citizens of heaven living as strangers and pilgrims in this foreign land (Philippians 3:20; 1 Peter 2:11). This statement is very revealing because it tells us there are three heavens and to enter this third heaven you must be caught up (Harpazo); the same words used for the resurrection of the dead and rapture passages (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). But the good news is that the sleep of death is not permanent. The apostle spoke of a vision that took place fourteen years earlier. This was the experience Paul described. - Into Paradise. And I know that such a personwhether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knowswas caught up into Paradise and heard things that are not to be told, that no mortal is The third heaven is where God resides, above the other two regions. The second heaven is where the stars, the sun, and the moon reside. When used of an actual place, Scripture speaks of three heavens. First, most students of Scripture accept that Paul is writing this verse about himself, and that he is referring to his own visionary experience on the road to Damascus some years earlier (Acts 9:1-9, 22:6-11). Interests:Jesus Christ! Some suppose it was here the apostle was let into the mystery of the future state of the church; and received his orders to turn from the Jews and go to the gentiles. Psalm 19:1-2 worship. Jesus descended from a place called heaven (John 2:13), and also returned there (Acts 1:11). So we assume there is a first heaven and a second heaven if there is a third. In fact, the Bible specifically speaks of three distinct heavens. Psalm 44:13,14 After Paul sees God and all the other revelations in the Third Heaven, he likely considered himself as very privileged and unique. God knew his temptation to boast about all He had allowed for him so because of these surpassingly great revelations. This is the place where God resides with his angels, and where Jesus is preparing a place for us ( John 14:1-3 ). Read full chapter. The world sings of the 7th heaven..but may be writer licencein the song.Unfounded in scripture. Nevertheless, I will come to visions and revelations from the Lord. When Paul says that he went to the third heaven, he means that he went to the place where God dwells. A main point of departure with older scholarship is the understanding of Second Temple Judaism; the covenant with God and the role of works as a means to either gain or keep the covenant.. A central concern for Paul was the inclusion of Gentiles into God's New Covenant, 55:10) and second (interplanetary and interstellar space; Gen. 15:5; Ps. 13:10) heavens, is the abode of God ( 1 Kings 8:30; Ps. In the next verse he calls the same place paradise. In the bible the 3rd heaven is the one to which Paul is caught up. The logical conclusion is that the place called paradise is located in the third heaven. 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 ." Second, is the heaven of the stars, and the principalities and powers of evil abide. imacountrygirl2 Posts: 428 Joined: 8 2. When the apostle Paul (the theologian formerly known as Saul of Tarsus) wrote to the church in Corinth about a particularly significant religious experience, he informed them that his journey to the third heaven or Paradise resulted in his hearing things that are not able to be told, that no mortal is permitted to. If there is a third heaven, there must be two more, though the Bible doesnt mention them. The glorious church-life, guitar. There are no other references to third heaven in the canonized scriptures, but there is a reference in the book of Enoch. In 2 Corinthians Paul the Apostle writes, I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven whether in the body or out of the body I 2 Corinthians 12:2 in all English translations. Verse 18. Paul was stoned and his spirit apparently left his body. It was this heaven that Paul the apostle was caught up. Answer (1 of 6): Paul never mentions being taken up to the third heaven, but he does say he knew someone who was (2 Corinthians 12:2): > I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the People's Bible Notes for 2 Corinthians 12:2. What is the "third heaven" that Paul is speaking about in (2 Cor 12:2)? Paul wrote, "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" (2 Corinthians 12:2). To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. It is The Realm of The Spirit, accessible ONLY by The image given by Paul is one of worship, an activity done together, toward God. Now for the third time I am ready to come to you: On his first visit to Corinth, Paul founded the church and stayed a year and six months ( Acts 18:11 ). Examples are the third heaven (2 Corinthians 12:2), and heavenly realms (Ephesians 1:3, 20; 6:12). 12:45. Neither the Son.--The addition to St. Matthew's report is every way remarkable. There are five figures in the Bible who, according to standard Jewish and Christian interpretation, are reported to have ascended to heaven: Enoch (Gen 5:24); Elijah (2 Kgs 2:1-12); Jesus (Luke 24:51; Acts 1:9); Paul (2 Cor 12:2-4); and John (Rev 4:1). (Acts 14:19-20) Paul called this the third heaven or paradise 2 Co 12:1-4. 4. 6:12). He was caught up to Paradise third heaven (the first heaven is the atmosphere, the second is that of the stars, and the third the abode of God and heavenly beings). 2 I know a man in Christ about fourteen years ago (whether he was in the body I cannot tell, or whether he was out of the body I cannot tell, God knows) who was taken up into the third Those stars show the lesser heavens, but are hints of the "third heaven" from which the Light of the World came to shine in our darkness first as a baby and then as a man. February 24, 2012. The third heaven - Where God is; far above the aerial and the starry heaven. A deductionist (one who logically deducts things) were not sure deductionist is a real word)) would conclude that the use of the term third heaven denotes there is the second and first heaven. Second, is the heaven of the stars, and the principalities and powers of evil abide. Paul also said he was "caught up" into the "third heaven" (2 Corinthians 12:2-4). In 2 Corinthians 12:2 Paul said that he was caught up to the third heaven, and then in verse 4 he states that he was caught up to paradise. The heavens were opened to Ezekiel as he was by the river Chebar, and he saw visions of God (Ezek. I have not found higher in the book. (See both Genesis 1:1; 2:1) The Bible teaches in 11:11; 1 Kings 8:35; Isa. 1. Therefore, when Paul describes being caught up to the third heaven, he is describing his experience as a prophet, seeing a heavenly vision. 2Co 12:2 I knew a man in Christ. Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, Matt. It indicates the self-imposed limitation of the divine attributes which had belonged to our Lord as the eternal Son, and the acquiescence in a power and knowledge which, like that of the human nature which He assumed, were derived Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee. Verse 4. Paul was caught up to the third heaven, 2 Cor. In fact, the Hebrew word for heaven shamayim is dual in number, suggesting two heavens, but other passages suggest more. 13:9). Jesus promised to the criminal on the cross: Today you will be with me in paradise ( Luke 23:43 ). There are several places in the Bible that refer to a heaven.. The third heaven is the heaven described in the Bible. Answer. In other words, this third heaven is above us. Even though we have to live and have our feet planted on earth, our ultimate citizenship is in the third heaven with God. New Living Translation I was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. But which one? Both shamayim and ouranos are used variously in Scripture to refer to three different places. Paradise, or the third heaven, is the place where God is. The third refers to the dwelling place of God (see Revelation 16:11 and 19:1, among others). In a similar manner, John, in humility, didnt refer to himself (John 13:23, 24; 19:26; 21:20). Verse 18 - Romans 2:29.. - (1) All mankind liable to God's wrath. Paul was suddenly snatched up into the third heaven which, transcending the first (earths atmosphere; Deut. He is, however, stating he was taken to the third of a sequence of three (logically implying that a first and second domains exist). For the apostle, that change began with connecting his rich biblical knowledge to the revelation that Jesus Christ was the Son of God. Sweetrainbow. 2 Corinthians 12:2-4 ESV / 35 helpful votesNot Helpful. It would appear that Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 refer to his experiences as a result of that "near death" stoning at Lystra. At His birth "the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy" (Job 38:7). Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. 3 I know that this manwhether in the body or out of the body I dont know, God knows 4 was caught up into paradise. Verses 18-32. Ye may be the children of your Father who is in heaven, 3 Ne. Psalm 73:25 trust God worship. The Bible says that they will NOT go to heaven. Scripture refers to three heavens. 12:2. a. Paul speaks of being taken up into "the third heaven" ( 2 Cor 12:2). Jan 31, 2011 #6. He didnt say what it looked like. Only 2 Corinthians refers to this incident, and then only in sketchy terms. God invites human beings to adopt his heavenly perspective. 28:12; Judges 5:4; Dan. (That explains why in 2 Corinthians 12:2 Paul refers to being caught up into "the third heaven.") Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not knowGod knows. Answer (1 of 29): The Hebrew word for heavens is shamayim, it is in a plural form, meaning visible heavens, sky, as abode of God, visible sky. (See Brown-Driver-Briggs) It is found in the first verse of the Bible. Paul was stoned and his spirit apparently left his body. 33:1314; Matt. Note that Paul, in 2Corinthians 12, is not stating there are levels of heaven. 3. The short answer to this question is that the Bible says we literally die after death.