Are there three heavens?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The word heavens is used in the Bible to refer to three different realms, with the surrounding context making clear the meaning.

Heavens can refer to the sky and earth's atmosphere, the abode of birds and clouds (Genesis 1:1; Acts 14:17). In Jewish tradition, this realm is identified as the first heaven, although the Bible does not make this distinction.

Heavens can also refer to outer space, the celestial sphere where the stars and planets reside (Genesis 1:1; Psalm 8:3). This realm is sometimes called the second heaven but not in the Bible.

Finally, heaven can refer to God's throne, a spiritual realm beyond the other heavens (Isaiah 66:1). Speaking to his culture, Paul called this the third heaven in 2 Corinthians 12:2. It is also called the highest heaven (1 Kings 8:27). Heaven is where believers go after death to be in God's presence forever.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1). Here, heavens refers to the visible heavens or sky, meaning both the atmosphere and outer space. It does not refer to the Heaven where God dwells, since that already existed.
• In Psalm 8:3, David speaks of "heavens" when referring to God's creation of "the moon and the stars."
• In Solomon's dedication prayer for the Temple, he says, "But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this temple which I have built!" This is the heaven that Isaiah speaks of in Isaiah 66:1.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Paul refers to the third heaven in 2 Corinthians 12:2. This is understood in Jewish cosmology as the dwelling place of God, beyond the sky (first heaven) and outer space (second heaven). This reflects a belief in a multi-layered universe, common in ancient thought.
• Acts 14:17 refers to "heaven" as the place where rain comes from—i.e., the sky.
• Heaven will be the eternal dwelling of believers in God’s presence, a place of perfect joy, peace, and fellowship, free from sin, suffering, and death, where we will fully experience His glory and love forever (Revelation 21:3–4; 1 Corinthians 13:12; John 14:2–3).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

"Things come in threes" is a superstition that people use to identify coincidences. It doesn't apply well to theology, though. For instance, Jewish tradition speaks of three heavens, but the Bible tells us that the only heaven in the sense of spiritual abode is the one where we will be with God for eternity.

Some may wonder what the harm is in following tradition. But tradition that isn't rooted in biblical truth is always harmful. In fact, Jesus, quoting Isaiah, criticized the Jewish religious leaders of His day for that very reason: "And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men" (Matthew 15:9).

Regardless of what our culture or other religions teach, the Bible clearly presents heaven or hell as the only places for the afterlife. The concept of three heavens is unbiblical.

UNDERSTAND

• The Bible presents only two places for eternal life—heaven and hell.
• The Bible does not teach that there are three heavens.
• The concept of three heavens originated in ancient Jewish cosmology.

REFLECT

• How does the picture of heaven as the eternal dwelling place of God where His people live in His presence forever challenge or reinforce your beliefs?
• Understanding some ancient Jewish cosmology clears up the confusion from Paul's statement about third heaven in 2 Corinthians 12:2. In what other Bible passages have you found that historical context clarifies passages?
• How do you envision heaven, and what Scriptures support your view?

ENGAGE

• What other erroneous concepts about heaven are circulated in today's culture?
• How can we best communicate the truth about heaven to those who hold unbiblical beliefs about it?
• How can we talk about heaven when we share the gospel with others?