In the Bible, the term “heaven” can refer to three different realms, often called “the three heavens.” These are not explicitly numbered in the Old Testament, but the idea of three distinct levels or layers of heaven comes primarily from context and is confirmed in the New Testament, especially in 2 Corinthians 12:2.
🌌 The Three Heavens in the Bible
1️⃣ The First Heaven – The Sky (Atmosphere)
Description:
This is the physical sky that surrounds the Earth—where we see clouds, birds, weather, and airplanes.
Biblical references:
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Genesis 1:20 – “…and let birds fly above the earth across the vault of the sky.”
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Deuteronomy 11:11 – “…a land of hills and valleys, and drinks water of the rain of heaven.”
Other names:
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“Firmament” (in older translations)
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“The heavens” (when referring to the weather or sky)
2️⃣ The Second Heaven – Outer Space (Celestial Heaven)
Description:
This refers to outer space, where the sun, moon, stars, and planets are located.
Biblical references:
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Genesis 1:14–17 – God places “lights in the firmament of the heaven” to divide day from night.
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Psalm 19:1 – “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.”
Key idea:
This heaven is where celestial bodies move in orderly patterns, pointing to the majesty of God as Creator.
3️⃣ The Third Heaven – God’s Dwelling Place (Spiritual Heaven)
Description:
This is the highest heaven, beyond physical space, where God dwells, and where angels, saints, and spiritual beings reside. It is also where believers go after death.
Main reference:
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2 Corinthians 12:2–4 – Paul says:
“I knew a man in Christ… caught up to the third heaven… caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words…”
Other names for the Third Heaven:
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Paradise (Luke 23:43; Revelation 2:7)
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Heaven of heavens (Nehemiah 9:6)
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God’s throne (Isaiah 66:1; Matthew 5:34)
🧠 Summary of the Three Heavens:
| Heaven | Description | Key Contents | Where in the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Heaven | Earth’s atmosphere | Birds, clouds, air | Genesis 1:20 |
| Second Heaven | Outer space | Stars, sun, moon | Genesis 1:14–17 |
| Third Heaven | God’s eternal dwelling | God, angels, saints | 2 Corinthians 12:2; Revelation 4 |
✨ Theological Importance
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The First and Second Heavens are part of physical creation.
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The Third Heaven is spiritual and eternal, where God rules and where believers will be with Him forever.
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Understanding the three heavens helps clarify Bible verses that use the word “heaven” in different contexts.
Paradise in the Bible: Meaning, Verses & Connection to the Third Heaven
✅ What is “Paradise” in the Bible?
Paradise is a word used in the Bible to describe a blessed, peaceful place of rest and joy in God’s presence. It is closely associated with the Third Heaven, and is often used to describe the eternal home of the righteous after death.
The word “paradise” comes from a Persian term meaning “walled garden” or “royal park”, which connects symbolically to the Garden of Eden—a place of perfect fellowship with God.
📖 Key Bible Verses About Paradise
1. Luke 23:43 – Jesus to the thief on the cross
“Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
(KJV)
🔍 Meaning: Jesus promises the repentant thief that he would be with Him in Paradise immediately after death. This confirms that Paradise is a real place of comfort and peace in the afterlife, directly connected to God’s presence.
2. 2 Corinthians 12:2–4 – Paul caught up to Paradise
“I knew a man in Christ… caught up to the third heaven… caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words…”
🔍 Meaning: Paul refers to a divine vision where he was taken into Paradise, which he equates with the Third Heaven—the very dwelling place of God.
3. Revelation 2:7 – The tree of life in Paradise
“To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.”
🔍 Meaning: Jesus promises believers that they will have eternal life in God’s Paradise, echoing imagery from the Garden of Eden with the Tree of Life, now restored in heaven.
🌈 How Paradise Connects to the Third Heaven
| Paradise | Third Heaven |
|---|---|
| A place of peace and joy | God’s highest realm |
| Where the righteous go after death | Where God dwells eternally |
| Mentioned by Jesus and Paul | Described as a place of divine glory |
| Symbolically linked to Eden | Also called the “Heaven of heavens” |
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Paul uses “Paradise” and “Third Heaven” interchangeably in 2 Corinthians 12.
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Many Bible scholars agree: Paradise = the Third Heaven — the final, eternal home of believers.
🌟 Final Thoughts
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Paradise in the Bible is not a myth or an idea—it is a real, spiritual realm, closely tied to God’s presence and eternal life.
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It represents a restoration of what was lost in Eden: perfect fellowship with God, peace, eternal joy, and access to the Tree of Life.