Many people wonder about the concept of the third heaven or three heavens mentioned in the Bible. Scripture can sometimes be lengthy and confusing, but understanding these passages can help you discuss the third heaven in a clear and succinct way.
My Personal Experience Learning About the Third Heaven
When I was a teenager, I was committing myself to Jesus Christ and solidifying my faith. Two missionaries came to guide me in reading Scripture and learning more about Him. One of the first passages they had me read 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 body, I cannot tell, God knoweth; such an one caught up to the third heaven.”
Reading this verse made me pause. I had never heard of a “third heaven” before. I even double-checked my King James Version Bible to ensure I was reading correctly. The missionaries explained that the Bible itself mentions the third heaven; they weren’t telling me anything new—it was right there in the Scriptures.
Learning About the Three Degrees of Glory
Once I understood the third heaven, the missionaries guided me to 1 Corinthians 15:40-43:
“There are also celestial bodies and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead.”
This passage revealed that there are three degrees of glory in the resurrection—one like the sun, one like the moon, and one like the stars. It became clear that the Bible describes different types of bodies and glories in the resurrection, aligning with the concept of multiple heavens.
How Missionaries Taught Through Scripture
The missionaries taught me the gospel using Scripture directly. Our discussions were weekly, focused on passages from the Bible about Jesus Christ, God, and His prophets. One verse that stood out was Jesus saying:
“In my Father’s house are many mansions: I go to prepare a place for you.” (John 14:2)
This verse fit into the lessons about the third heaven and motivated me to aim for a body “like the sun”—symbolizing the highest glory in the resurrection.
Understanding Angels and Heavenly Descriptions
The Bible often describes angels and people from heaven as shining brightly. Some relevant verses include:
- Revelation 19:17 – Describes an angel standing in the sun.
- Revelation 1:16 – One whose countenance was like the sun.
- Matthew 17:2 – An angel’s face shining like the sun.
- Revelation 12:1 – A woman clothed with the sun.
- Revelation 22:5 – People needed no light because God and Christ gave them light.
When I connected these descriptions with the concept of the three degrees of glory, it all made sense. The Scriptures flowed together and resonated deeply with me.
What Scholars Believe About 2 Corinthians 12:2
Many scholars believe that Paul is referring to himself in 2 Corinthians 12:2, but instead of boasting, he speaks of a “man in Christ” who went to the third heaven. The key takeaway is that the Bible clearly mentions the third heaven and different types of bodies in the resurrection.
Conclusion
So, what does the Bible say about the third heaven? It confirms its existence and describes three degrees of glory in the resurrection. These teachings help us understand the majesty and order of God’s creation and the hope of eternal life. By studying Scripture carefully, we can gain a deeper appreciation of the heavenly realms.
Thanks for reading, and I encourage you to explore these passages further to deepen your understanding of the third heaven and the glory of resurrection.
