The concept of "heaven" in the Bible is rich and multifaceted, encompassing various dimensions and layers that reflect the complexity and grandeur of God's creation. When we delve into the Scriptures, we find that the term "heaven" is used in different contexts, and it becomes apparent that there are multiple "heavens" mentioned. To understand these various heavens, we must explore the biblical texts and how they articulate the distinctions among them.
The first heaven is what we might call the atmospheric or terrestrial heaven. This is the sky, the expanse where birds fly and clouds gather. Genesis 1:6-8 describes this heaven during the creation account: "And God said, 'Let there be a vault between the waters to separate water from water.' So God made the vault and separated the water under the vault from the water above it. And it was so. God called the vault 'sky.' And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day" (NIV). This first heaven is the most immediate and visible to us, encompassing the air we breathe and the weather systems that sustain life on Earth.
The second heaven refers to what we might call the celestial or astronomical heaven. This is the realm of the sun, moon, stars, and other celestial bodies. Genesis 1:14-17 speaks to this when God creates the lights in the sky: "And God said, 'Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years, and let them be lights in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth.' And it was so. God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. God set them in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth" (NIV). This second heaven is vast and awe-inspiring, reflecting the grandeur and order of God's creation.
The third heaven is a more profound and mysterious concept, often associated directly with the presence of God. The Apostle Paul provides a glimpse into this heaven in 2 Corinthians 12:2-4: "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. And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows—was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell" (NIV). This third heaven, also referred to as "paradise," is the dwelling place of God, angels, and the souls of the righteous. It is a realm beyond physical comprehension, a place of ultimate holiness and divine glory.
The concept of multiple heavens is not unique to Christianity but is rooted deeply in Jewish tradition as well. Ancient Jewish literature, such as the Book of Enoch and other apocryphal writings, often describes multiple layers of heaven, each with its own unique characteristics and inhabitants. While these texts are not part of the canonical Bible, they provide cultural and theological context that helps us understand how early believers might have conceptualized the heavens.
In addition to these three primary heavens, the Bible also speaks of "the heaven of heavens" (Deuteronomy 10:14, 1 Kings 8:27, Nehemiah 9:6). This phrase emphasizes the supremacy and transcendence of God's dwelling place above all other heavens. For instance, Deuteronomy 10:14 states, "To the Lord your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it" (NIV). This expression underscores the infinite nature of God's domain and His ultimate authority over all creation.
Furthermore, the Bible often uses the term "heaven" to denote the spiritual realm where God's will is perfectly enacted. The Lord's Prayer, as taught by Jesus, includes the petition, "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10, NIV). This heaven is a model of divine order and righteousness, a standard for how believers should live and pray for God's will to be realized on Earth.
The imagery of heaven is also used to describe the eschatological hope of believers. Revelation 21:1-4 provides a vivid picture of the new heaven and new earth: "Then I saw 'a new heaven and a new earth,' for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away" (NIV). This new heaven and new earth represent the culmination of God's redemptive plan, where heaven and earth are united in perfect harmony, and God's presence is fully realized among His people.
The biblical concept of heaven, therefore, is not a monolithic idea but a rich tapestry woven with various threads. The first heaven is the sky above us, the second heaven is the vast cosmos, and the third heaven is the divine abode of God. Together, these heavens reveal different aspects of God's creation and His relationship with it. They invite us to marvel at the physical universe, to seek the spiritual reality of God's presence, and to hope for the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises in the new heaven and new earth.
In exploring the heavens mentioned in the Bible, we are reminded of the vastness of God's creation and the depth of His mystery. As Psalm 19:1 declares, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands" (NIV). Each heaven, in its own way, points us to the grandeur and majesty of the Creator, inviting us to worship Him with awe and reverence.
