What does it mean when the Bible refers to the "third heaven?"

At the time of ancient Israel they did not have as complete an understanding of the universe as we do today. So they wrote in terms they were familiar with. The Jews spoke of three heavens. The first heaven consisted of the the earth atmosphere where the clouds and birds were. The second heaven was where the sun, stars, and moon was. The third heaven was the dwelling place of God. When Paul said he was caught up to the third heaven (2 Cor. 12:2), he was referring to the very dwelling place of God.

As a note, the Mormons erringly teach that the three heavens consist of telestial, terrestrial, and celestial. They divide them into compartments dwelt by people after they die.

The First Heaven: Earth Atmosphere

• Deut. 11:17 -- Then the LORD's anger will burn against you, and he will shut the heavens so that it will not rain and the ground will yield no produce....
• Deut. 28:12 -- The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands.
• Judges 5:4 -- "O LORD, when you went out from Seir, when you marched from the land of Edom, the earth shook, the heavens poured, the clouds poured down water.
• Acts 14:17 -- "Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons;...

The Second Heaven: Outer Space

• Psalm 19:4,6 -- In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun... It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other;...
• Jeremiah 8:2 -- They will be exposed to the sun and the moon and all the stars of the heavens which they have loved and served....
• Isaiah 13:10 -- The stars of heaven and their constellations will not show their light.

The Third Heaven: God's Dwelling Place

• 1 Kings 8:30 (phrase repeated numerous times in following verses) -- then hear from heaven, your dwelling place...
• Psalm 2:4 -- The One enthroned in heaven laughs; The LORD scoffs at them.
• Matthew 5:16 -- In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

The highest heaven, the third heaven is indicated by the reference to the Throne of God being the highest heaven:

• 1 Kings 8:27 -- "But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you.
• Deut. 10:14 -- To the LORD your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it.

Article: CARM - Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry

Hey chad;

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth
Gen 1:1 (KJV)

And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.
Gen 1:6-8 (KJV)

And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear
Gen 1:9 (KJV)

And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night
Gen 1:14 (KJV)

And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.
Gen 1:15 (KJV)

And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth,
Gen 1:17 (KJV)

And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven
Gen 1:20 (KJV)

I didn`t see these references in your post

Troy

That's good stuff, Chad.

Here also I found another reference;

Psalm 8:3, the psalmist says, "When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars which Thou hast ordained, what is man that Thou dost take thought of him?" God is the creator. God is the maker. Psalm 136 verses 5 to 9 praises God with these words, "To Him who made the heavens with skill, to Him who spread out the earth above the waters...meaning separating the land from the sea...to Him who made the great light," the very same terms used in Psalm 136. "The sun to rule by day, and the moon and stars to rule by night." There the Psalm 136 verses 5 to 9 affirming God's creation of the two great lights, the greater light to govern the day, the lesser light to govern the night, along with the stars also

Troy

3rd heaven......

In the bible the 3rd heaven is the one to which Paul is caught up. The third heaven. I have not found higher in the book.


The world sings of the 7th heaven......but may be writer licence...in the song....Unfounded in scripture.

Here are 2 Scriptures that relate to the third heaven..

1. Philippians 3:17
[ Our Citizenship in Heaven ] Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.
Philippians 3:16-18 (in Context) Philippians 3 (Whole Chapter)NKJV
2. Philippians 3:20
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
Philippians 3:19-21 (in Context) Philippians 3 (Whole Chapter) NKJV

And here is one Scripture that relates to a future heaven..

Revelation 21 1-4
All Things Made New
1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John,[a] saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

Further to my 'off the cuff' remarks earlier.

Paul was not doubtful about being caught up to the 'third heaven'. He was certain about that. It was whether in the body or out of it, that was doubtful to him. 2Cor.2-3.

There are three heavens as I see it?

1The clouds or atmospheric heavens. Gen.1;8. Ps.77.17-18.etc.

2The starry space. Gen.15:5. Gen.22:17. etc.

3The planet heaven. Gen.1:1. Isa.14:12-14. Isa.66:1. Rev.21:2.

All I know - is that God is the greatest, His steadfast love endures forever.

Originally Posted by stephen

3rd heaven......

In the bible the 3rd heaven is the one to which Paul is caught up. The third heaven. I have not found higher in the book.


The world sings of the 7th heaven......but may be writer licence...in the song....Unfounded in scripture.

In Islam there are 7 heavens.

""It is He Who created everything on the earth for you and then directed His attention up to heaven and arranged it into seven regular heavens. He has knowledge of all things."
(The Qur'an, 2:29)

"Then He turned to heaven when it was smoke. In two days He determined them as seven heavens and revealed, in every heaven, its own mandate."
(The Qur'an, 41:12)"

I'm not sure if Islam is the source of the "7 heavens" thing, but its worth noting.
I've heard Hinduism has the idea of 7 higher worlds and 7 lower worlds, but it sounds confusing lol


I believe the Bible, and I believe there are 3 Heavens, and God Almighty is in the Highest, third Heaven. :)

Good article.
The reason Paul said 3rd heaven was probably because people knew about the 2 others that are visible to us.
So to say there is third heaven is to say there is place unknown to them.

Which we know is the Heaven where we go after we die.

By the way. I think Highest heaven means also the 3rd heaven. I think its yet another phrase to say that God is above the earthly heaven and outer space heaven.