The three heavens mentioned in the Bible
Is not God in the heights of heaven?
And see how lofty are the highest stars!
Job 22:12
If you have never heard it discussed or studied for yourself about the three heavens mentioned in the Bible, then this thought may startle you or even sound heretical. It will make more sense as you read on.
Simply put, Scripture tells us that there are three heavens above our heads. They are: (1) The air around us or our atmosphere; (2) Outer space with all its celestial bodies; and (3) The location of God’s throne. Perhaps the easiest way to demonstrate this is to simply list a couple of Scriptures for each of the three heavens.
OUR ATMOSPHERE
God called the vault “sky.” And there was evening, and there was morning
—the second day… And God said, “Let the water teem with living creatures,
and let birds fly above the earth across the vault of the sky.”
Genesis 1:8, 20
The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty,
to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands.
You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none.
Deuteronomy 28:12
OUTER SPACE
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Psalm 19:1
The stars of heaven and their constellations will not show their light.
The rising sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light.
Isaiah 13:10
GOD’S DWELLING PLACE
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.
2 Corinthians 12:2
Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not
ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
Hebrews 11:16
God is certainly not contained in the third heaven because He is omniscient and omnipresent. We should find peace in that reality, and that He dwells in us now through the Holy Spirit. Let’s look forward to the heavenly body and heavenly dwelling place that God has prepared for those who follow Him (2 Corinthians 5:1-10).