The Bible uses the word ‘heavens’ referring to many heavens not one heaven. Yes! There are more than one heaven.
As we see from creation, from Genesis, God created heavens not one heaven.
Gen 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth
Some Bible versions have got Gen 1:1 wrong. The original word is ‘heavens’ (many) not heaven (one). See Bible translations and the most accurate Bible version.
Reason chapter 2 says,
Gen 2:1: Thus the heavens and the earth were finished
See that Gen 1:1 and Gen 2:1 are in agreement with one another talking of heavens (many). In some Bible versions, these two verses are not in agreement.
Gen 2:4 These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens
God created heavens (many) not heaven (one).
Here are more Bible verses confirming God created heavens not one heaven
Det 32:1 Give ear, O you heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth
2 Sam 22:10 He bowed the heavens also, and came down; and darkness was under his feet
1Chr 16:26 For all the gods of the people are idols: but the LORD made the heavens
Job 9:8 Which alone spreads out the heavens, and treads upon the waves of the sea
Psalms 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows his handiwork
Hag 2:6 For thus says the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land
Mk 1:10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him
2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
Since God created heavens not one heaven, how many heavens are there?
There are 3 heavens. We see Apostle Paul saying that he knew a man in Christ caught up in the third heaven.
2 Cor 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 knows) such a one caught up to the third heaven.
The 3 heavens are;
- 1st heaven
The first heaven is the earth’s atmosphere; the immediate sky. It is where birds and clouds are.
It is the heaven referred to in the Bible verses below.
Deut 11:17 And then the LORD’s wrath be kindled against you, and he shut up the heaven, that there be no rain, and that the land yield not her fruit
Deut 28:12 The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season
Judges 5:4 LORD, when you went out of Seir, when you marched out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, and the heavens dropped, the clouds also dropped water
Acts 14:17 Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.
- 2nd heaven
The second heaven is where moon, sun, stars and the planets are; the outer space.
It is the heaven referred to in the following Bible verse.
Deut 17:3: who has gone and served other gods, and worshipped them, either the sun, or moon, or any of the host of heaven, which I have not commanded
Psalms 19:4, 6 In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun. Its rising is from one end of the heaven and its circuit to the other end
Jer 8:2 and they shall spread them before the sun, and the moon, and all the host of heaven, whom they have loved, and whom they have served
Isa 13:10 for the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.
- 3rd heaven
The third heaven is the dwelling place of God.
1 kings 8:30 …and hear you in heaven your dwelling place
Psalms 2:4 He that sits in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision
Matt 5:16 Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven
The third heaven is also referred to as heaven of heavens.
Deut 10:14: Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD’s your God, the earth also, with all that therein is.
1 King 8:27: But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have built?
2 Chr 2:6: But who is able to build him a house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him? Who am I then, that I should build him an house, save only to burn sacrifice before him?
The third heaven is the Throne of God; the highest heaven; the paradise
2 Cor 12:2, 4: 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 knows) such a one caught up to the third heaven. How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter
Therefore, there are 3 heavens, God created heavens and He dwells in the third heaven
God bless