Some Christians are confused by Paul’s statement in 2 Corinthians 12:2 because he seems to allude to multiple levels of Heaven. He wrote, “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.” Christians might also wonder which Heaven they will go to when they die or what qualifies them to enter certain levels if more than one exists.
However, Paul’s reference to “the third Heaven” did not insinuate or imply that multiple levels of Heaven exist. He simply used this phrase to distinguish God’s exclusive dwelling place from the other two heavenly locations referenced in Scripture.
One heaven mentioned in the Bible refers to the immediate skies above the earth, where clouds form and birds fly. Genesis 1:6-8 refers to this location, “Then God said, ‘Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.’ Thus God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament; and it was so. And God called the firmament heaven.” It is also used the same way in Genesis 1:20, “Then God said, ‘Let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens.’”
Another heaven referenced in Scripture refers to outer space, where the sun, moon, and stars reside. Genesis 1:14-18 states, “Then God said, ‘Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years; and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth;’ and it was so. Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also. God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth, and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good.”
The final Heaven referenced in the Bible is God’s dwelling place. Deuteronomy 26:15 says, “Look down from Your holy habitation, from Heaven, and bless Your people Israel and the land which You have given us, just as You swore to our fathers, ‘a land flowing with milk and honey.’” Hebrews 9:24 says, “For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into Heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.”
Based on the context of 2 Corinthians 12:2, Paul’s description of “the third Heaven” directly referenced the place where God dwells in glory. He also called it Paradise in 2 Corinthians 12:3-4, “And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.”
Additionally, “the third Heaven” is also where believers go when they die. The thief on the cross said to Jesus in Luke 23:42, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom,” to which Jesus replied, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43). Scripture also says in 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10, “For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.” Additionally, 2 Corinthians 5:8 states, “We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.” Lastly, Philippians 3:20 declares, “For our citizenship is in Heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
I hope this information clarifies the meaning of Paul’s otherwise confusing phrase, “the third Heaven.”
