Three 'heavens' but only one way

You ask Elim experts the questions. This month, it’s Senior Pastor of New Springs Church, Loughborough, Phil Weaver.

How many heavens are there?

The opening line of Scripture says, “In the beginning God created the heavens…” With this being written in the plural sense, does it therefore suggest there are actually several ‘heavens’? The Apostle Paul seems to agree in 2 Corinthians 12:2. He speaks about a ‘third heaven’.

But what of the first and second heavens then? And are there any more? Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”

Heaven here speaks of the skies and the clouds we can see.

Meanwhile, Psalm 8:3 says, “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place…” This second heaven begins beyond what can be seen, it’s speaking about the solar system.

The Bible speaks of another realm that is referred to as heaven as well. In the Greek, the word ‘heaven’ can also be translated as ‘air’ or ‘realm’ which is where we are told the spirits dwell.

The Bible also speaks of believers being seated with Christ in heavenly places, (Ephesians 2:6). This isn’t referring to heaven as in the place we go to after we die, but rather a realm, a domain, a sphere.

So, the word ‘heaven’ here is referring to the spiritual realm, ‘the air’, where the spirits operate.

Meanwhile, this third heaven referred to in 2 Corinthians 12 is the place where God dwells, where his throne is. This is the place where God reigns and resides.

Most religions have a concept of heaven. For most, heaven is gained by working your way there. Christianity is the only religion where heaven is not obtained by what you do but by what has already been done for you. Jesus is the only way!

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