A Glimpse of Heaven

Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven. And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows— was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak.

Review

Part 1 - we talked about “The Curtain Of Time”, the short span of time between birth and death that was allotted to all humans.

Part 2 - we talked about “When The Curtain Drops - What’s Next?”, and how we must prepare for our destination beyond the grave, when death finally comes to us.

What is part 3 all about?

We will explore the heavenly realm, discover what we will see when we get there, and learn how we will get there.

The Heavens - three uses of the word “heaven”

Etymology: Heaven

Hebrew word - samayim

many times written in the plural

Genesis 1:1 NASB95

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Heaven No. 1 - the sky

Genesis 1:6–8 NASB95

Then God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” God made the expanse, and separated the waters which were below the expanse from the waters which were above the expanse; and it was so. God called the expanse heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, a second day.

The first heaven is the space above us that we call sky or atmosphere. This is the heaven from which comes the rain, the wind, snow, thunder and lighting, and where the birds fly.

Deuteronomy 11:11 NASB95

“But the land into which you are about to cross to possess it, a land of hills and valleys, drinks water from the rain of heaven,

Heaven No. 2 - outer space, or stellar space

Genesis 1:14–18 NASB95

Then God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years; and let them be for lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth”; and it was so. God made the two great lights, the greater light to govern the day, and the lesser light to govern the night; He made the stars also. God placed them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, and to govern the day and the night, and to separate the light from the darkness; and God saw that it was good.

The stellar space is the space beyond the earth’s atmosphere, about 300 km from the earth.

To the ordinary person who lived in Bible days, there is no difference between the first and the second heaven. Whenever they look up they only one heaven.

Heaven No. 3 - the abode of God

Deuteronomy 26:15 NASB95

‘Look down from Your holy habitation, from heaven, and bless Your people Israel, and the ground which You have given us, a land flowing with milk and honey, as You swore to our fathers.’

Psalm 11:4 NASB95

The Lord is in His holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men.

Various descriptions of the third heaven

It is called the “highest heavens” or the “heaven of heavens”

Psalm 68:33 NASB95

To Him who rides upon the highest heavens, which are from ancient times; Behold, He speaks forth with His voice, a mighty voice.

1 Kings 8:27 NASB95

“But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain You, how much less this house which I have built!

It is also called the “third heaven”

2 Corinthians 12:2 NASB95

I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven.

It is also called “Paradise”

2 Corinthians 12:4 NASB95

was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak.

Not a Physical place

The third heaven is a spiritual realm (the first 2 heavens are physical and material)

Isaiah 66:1 NASB95

Thus says the Lord, “Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. Where then is a house you could build for Me? And where is a place that I may rest?

Jeremiah 23:24 NASB95

“Can a man hide himself in hiding places So I do not see him?” declares the Lord. “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?” declares the Lord.

The third heaven is not above or higher than the first and second; it is parallel to the physical world.

Scientific term: Multiverse, or parallel universe

There are least 2 universes: the physical realm and the spiritual realm

Draw and illustration here

on the left side - the earth, the atmosphere and the outer space

on the right side - the third heaven, with a throne

The Heavenly Places

Etymology: heavenly places

heavenlies = Grk. epouranios

Adjective, pertaining or relating to heaven

Heavenly places is a broader term.

It is the place of our spiritual blessing in Christ

Ephesians 1:3 NASB95

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

It is the place where Christ is seated at the right hand of God

Ephesians 1:20 NASB95

which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,

It is also the place where we - the saints - are seated with Christ

Ephesians 2:6 NASB95

and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

It is the place where demonic forces move about

Ephesians 6:12 NASB95

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 2:2 NASB95

in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.

ILLUSTRATION: the heavenly places

on the left side, the physical world

on the right side, the heavenly places which include, “heaven”, "sheol”, a place for demonic spirits, the pit

How is the “heavenly places” different from the “heaven”?

Lucifer, who is now Satan, was removed from heaven

Isaiah 14:12–15 NASB95

“How you have fallen from heaven, O star of the morning, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the earth, You who have weakened the nations! “But you said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, And I will sit on the mount of assembly In the recesses of the north. ‘I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ “Nevertheless you will be thrust down to Sheol, To the recesses of the pit.

And yet, Satan and his host continue to move around in the heavenly places.

His next fall is prophesied in Revelation

Revelation 12:7–9 NASB95

And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. The dragon and his angels waged war, and they were not strong enough, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

The Present Realities in Heaven

God rules from heaven

Matthew 6:9–10 NASB95

“Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. ‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.

The heavens is defiled!

Job 15:15 NASB95

“Behold, He puts no trust in His holy ones, And the heavens are not pure in His sight;

Evil spirits move in the heavenly places

Ephesians 6:12 NASB95

Battles may be going on anytime in the heavenly places

Daniel 10:12–13 NASB95

Then he said to me, “Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words. “But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding me for twenty-one days; then behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia.

God has appointed a time to cleanse the heavenly places

Haggai 2:6–7 NASB95

“For thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘Once more in a little while, I am going to shake the heavens and the earth, the sea also and the dry land. ‘I will shake all the nations; and they will come with the wealth of all nations, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the Lord of hosts.

Haggai 2:21–22 NASB95

“Speak to Zerubbabel governor of Judah, saying, ‘I am going to shake the heavens and the earth. ‘I will overthrow the thrones of kingdoms and destroy the power of the kingdoms of the nations; and I will overthrow the chariots and their riders, and the horses and their riders will go down, everyone by the sword of another.’

Hebrews 12:26–27 NASB95

And His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven.” This expression, “Yet once more,” denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.

Why is there going to be a shaking of the heavens?

God’s allotted time for Satan will soon be over.

God is claiming heaven and earth for His people who are coming home!

The Citizen’s of heaven are coming home!

We are citizen’s of heaven

Philippians 3:20 NASB95

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;

By “new birth” you have entered and become part of the Kingdom of God

John 3:5 NASB95

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

1 Peter 1:23 NASB95

for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.

The Holy Spirit is the guarantee we have from God

Ephesians 1:13 NASB95

In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,

We are waiting for our final translation!

Philippians 3:21 NASB95

who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.

1 John 3:2 NASB95

Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.

Conclusion

Paul was given a privilege to be caught up to the third heaven.

What did this experience do to him?

2 Corinthians 12:3–5 NASB95

And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows— was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak. On behalf of such a man I will boast; but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses.