In the opening line of Scripture we see this verse
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1).
We often think about the joy and the beauty of heaven, and rightfully so because that is the prize or end result of our walk with God. However, when the Bible speaks about heaven, or the heavens, that word is used in a variety of ways.
When you see the word heavens you might get confused and wonder how many heavens are there? Rest assured it is used in the sense you think of as the place where God dwells, but there are other uses of the word as well. Let’s take a look to gain more understanding.
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Are There Multiple Heavens?
There are two ways to address this topic: what we know now and what we will know then. Let’s first answer this question in relation to what we know now. Let’s begin with a look at 2 Corinthians.
“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).
When you begin thinking about how many heavens there are, Paul gives some food for thought. In writing this letter most scholars agree that Paul is talking about himself. What he mentions here is the idea of a third heaven. If you are going to apply simple logic, if there is a third heaven, then there must be a first and second one as well.
Let’s be clear – the Bible does not use the term first or second heaven. I am going to use these terms today but simply as a means of distinction. With that in mind let’s consider these three heavens.
1 - The Earth and Sky
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands” (Psalm 19:1).
In this instance, the Psalmist is using the word heavens, but he is referring to the sky or the atmosphere around us. The glory of God is revealed in the skies and the clouds that we see. If you want to label this, then consider this the first heaven. We find another example of this first heaven in the book of James
“Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops” (James 5:17-18).
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2 – The Stars and the Galaxy
If the atmosphere and the sky are the first heaven, then you could consider the stars and galaxy the second heaven. Again as a reminder, the Bible does not use this term; I am just using it as a term of clarification or distinction.
“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place…” (Psalm 8:3).
If the first heaven can include what we can see, then the second heaven begins to go beyond what we can see. In Hebrews, we see a reference to our Savior who passed through the heavens when he ascended
“Inasmuch then as we [believers] have a great High Priest who has [already ascended and] passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession [of faith and cling tenaciously to our absolute trust in Him as Savior]” (Hebrews 4:14 AMP).
3 – The Place Where God Dwells
The third heaven which Paul referred to in 2 Corinthians is the place where God’s presence dwells, where his throne is. Here are two other mentions of this.
“In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple” (Isaiah 6:1).
“But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ‘Look,’ he said, ‘I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God’” (Acts 7:55-56).
These are all pictures and images of heaven where God reigns and rules. This is the heaven you typically think about when you think about the presence of God.
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What Is Heaven – What Will Be Revealed Then?
The other way of looking at this is by considering the heaven to come. Since heaven will eventually be our eternal home, how many of those heavens are there? Or is it just one place? Here is what the Bible says about our eternal dwelling place
“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’” (Revelation 21:1-3).
Our eternal home, which we often refer to as heaven, the Bible refers to it as the new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. In the same way God originally created the earth for man to dwell in, God has created this new Jerusalem for his people to dwell in. This new Jerusalem appears after all the events of the end of the age and judgment have been completed. In this dwelling place, we will experience the fullness of God’s presence and dwell with him forever.
Are There Levels of Heaven?
The Bible doesn’t really mention different levels of heaven that we as believers will experience. We will all enjoy God’s presence in the same way. However, we will receive different crowns and rewards as a result of our work here on earth. If you remember the parable of the talents, they were rewarded according to their work, but they were both welcomed into God’s presence. Both men received the same response from the master.
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” (Matthew 25:23).
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What Do Other Religions Believe about Heaven?
Just about every religion has a concept of heaven. One of the major differences between Christianity and other religions is generally the requirements necessary to enter into heaven. For most other religions – and I am making a very general statement here – heaven is gained based on the summary of works you do in this life. In other words, you have to work to earn it.
Christianity is the only religion where heaven is not obtained by what you do but by what was done for you. Heaven is not the reward for your good works, it is the reward for your faith and what or rather who you believe. If you remember John 3:16:
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Your complete and total trust in Jesus Christ as your savior and nothing else is the way you gain access to heaven. This is different from every other religion.
How Can We Be Sure the Christian Heaven Is the Only One?
If other religions have a concept of heaven, how can you be sure that of the many “heavens” that are out there that the Christian heaven is the only true one? Another way of thinking about it is how can I be sure that what I believe is true?
Besides the internal witness that comes from the Holy Spirit, there is one external factor that you can put total faith and trust in. This is the reason you can have complete confidence in your salvation, your hope of eternal life, and your view of heaven. This truth is the fact of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. The true hope of the Christian faith is that there is an empty tomb. In other words, because he lives, we will live also. Remember what Jesus told his disciples:
“Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live” (John 14:19).
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A Great Glory Awaits
Our hope and confidence of heaven is because Jesus got up from the grave. His resurrection is the confidence and the truth that sets Christianity apart from all others. This is where our hope lies.
“But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:20-22).
There is a great glory that awaits us in heaven, far beyond anything we could ever imagine. The greatest glory of heaven will not be its beauty even though that will be magnificent. The greatest glory of heaven will be God’s presence and being able to see our Savior face to face. The precious treasure of heaven who was crucified is now alive and reigning forevermore and we get to be with him forever. This is the hope we have and what we look forward to because we know what a glorious day that will be.
Related: Heaven - What is it Like and Where is it?
How Do I Get to Heaven?
Do Babies Go to Heaven When They Die?
Do Dogs go to Heaven?
Is Hell Real?
Are There Levels of Hell?
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