Heavens

[Word of Life]

I was always led to believe, because of what I have been taught that there will be 3 heaven and earths. The first heaven and earth was destroyed, we are in the 2nd heaven and earth, this one will also be destroyed and the 3rd heaven and earth will be eternity. In short that’s what I believed in.

2Pe 3:5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
2Pe 3:6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
2Pe 3:7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

Now, my husband went to a biblical class/cell group this week, I didn't attend because it was in a different language, which I don't understand. So last night my husband discussed with me what was said in that class and the topic came up about being 3 levels of heavens. I know I am being stubborn, but this doesn't ring with me.

This scripture was quoted.

2Co 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.

What they told him, was the devil is in heaven too, not the one God is in but another heaven, but I totally disagree with this. I asked for a scripture stating this fact, he didn't have one. I have been searching myself for a scripture to back this up, as yet I can't find one.

Also this how the three heavens are described.

1. The atmosphere in which we live.
2. Space.
3. God's throne

Also in Genesis 1.1, Some modern translations in the Bible refer to heaven(s), being plural.

Gen 1:1

(BBE) At the first God made the heaven and the earth.

(Darby) In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

(GW) In the beginning God created heaven and earth.

(KJV) In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

(YLT) In the beginning of God's preparing the heavens and the earth--

 

[ladylovesJesus]

I found this information on 3 heavens

the three heavens - the atmosphere, the galaxy, and our eternal home.

Although I read or heard that the second heaven is where the battles take place between God's angels coming down to help us and fighting satan and his demon angels on the way who are in the 2nd heaven.

So therefore there is a delay in them getting down to help us.
2 Peter 3.
3First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." 5But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

8But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

10But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.[a]

11Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.

14So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 15Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. 16He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.

17Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. 18But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.


Wish I had more time to investigate this one.

God bless :rainbow: :rose:

 

[Word of Life]

Thank you so much ladylovesJesus for pulling this off.

I will print it and have a read through it tonight.

I did find some more info on the Heavens at Gotquestions, so I will post it here for everyone to read.

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Are there different levels of Heaven?

Question: "Are there different levels of Heaven?”

Answer: The closest thing Scripture says to there being different levels of Heaven is found in 2 Corinthians 12:2, “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.” Some interpret this as indicating that there are three different levels of Heaven. The supposed levels of Heaven are divided into a level for "super-committed Christians" or Christians who have obtained a high level of spirituality, a level for "ordinary" Christians, and a level for Christians who did not serve God faithfully.

However, Paul is not saying that there are three heavens or even three levels of heaven. In many ancient cultures, people used the term "Heaven" to describe three different "realms" – the sky, outer space, and then a spiritual heaven. Although the terms are not specifically Biblical, these are commonly known as the terrestrial, telestial, and celestial heavens. Paul was saying that God took him to the "celestial" Heavens, as in the realm in which God dwells. The concept of different levels of Heaven is foreign to Scripture. There are different levels of reward in Heaven (1 Corinthians 9:4-27; 2 Timothy 2:5), but only one "level" of Heaven.

What are the New Heavens and the New Earth?

Question: "What are the New Heavens and the New Earth?"

Answer: Many people have a misconception of what Heaven is truly like. Revelation chapters 21-22 give us a detailed picture of the New Heavens and the New Earth. After the end times, the current Heavens and Earth will be done away with and replaced by the New Heavens and New Earth. The eternal dwelling place of believers will be the New Earth. The New Earth is the “Heaven” on which we will spend eternity. It is the New Earth on which the New Jerusalem, the heavenly city, will reside. It is on the New Earth were the pearly gates and streets of gold will be.

Heaven – the New Earth – is a physical place on which we will dwell with glorified physical bodies (see 1 Corinthians 15:35-58). The concept that Heaven is “in the clouds” is unbiblical. The concept that we will be “spirits floating around in Heaven” is unbiblical. The Heaven that believers will experience will be a new and perfect planet on which we will dwell. The New Earth will be free from sin, evil, sickness, suffering, and death. It will likely be very similar to our current Earth, or perhaps even a re-creation of our current earth – but without the curse of sin.

What about the New Heavens? It is important to remember that in the ancient mind, "heavens" referred to the skies and outer space, as well as the realm in which God dwells. So, when Revelation 21:1 refers to the New Heavens, it is likely indicating that the entire universe will be created, a New Earth, new skies, a new outer space. It seems as if God's "Heaven" will be recreated as well, to give everything in the universe a "fresh start" whether physical or spiritual. Will we have access to the New Heavens in eternity? Possibly...but we will have to wait to find out! May we all allow God’s Word to shape our understanding of Heaven!