e Heaven-Heavens e

1st, 2nd & 3rd

The word 'heavens' in the bible is an elastic word. Depending on the setting it has different meanings. The word ‘heavens’ can mean: 1. The cosmos. 2. A spiritual condition. 3. The spiritual realm, where the LORD dwells. 4. People. When reading scriptures that contain the word 'heaven(s)' we need to determine what kind of 'heaven' it is speaking of. Most everyone has heard the phrase ‘seventh heaven’ - this comes from the non-canonical book of Enoch, the writer thought there were seven stratum or layers of heaven in the ascension to God. Non- canonical writings are not considered ‘Holy Spirit inspired’, therefore they don’t correspond with the scriptures. The bible is it’s own dictionary therefore we don’t look too an outside source for its interpretation. There are three heavens the bible speaks of. People who don’t study the scriptures or have an open mind might not understand any of this. This is what my fellow students often called a shotgun lesson; meaning, short and often unattached concepts and precepts that leave many ends open, yet expands a general theme. Trying to explain spiritual concepts is often like trying to grasp water with ones hand, difficult. We’re trying to see similarity in relative strands of scripture. Revelation 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2 Corinthians 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 knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)

4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. If there is, a first heaven and a third heaven it would stand to reason there is a second heaven. The bible does not use the phrase ‘second heaven’ but there are many different descriptions of it. First heaven is a spiritual condition. Second heaven is a spiritual condition. Third heaven is ‘heaven’ the place where the LORD & the angels dwell. The Tabernacle and the Temple hold a perfect picture or simile of the three heavens. Here are a couple of visuals so we can get the gist.

The Temple built in Jerusalem was patterned after the Tabernacle that the LORD instructed Moses to built shortly after Israel’s departure from Egypt. The Tabernacle consisted of three separate compartments the first is the courtyard or outer court, within is the Tent of Meeting, the Tent of Meeting consisted of two compartments that housed ‘the Holy Place’ and the ‘Most Holy’. These three compartments are figurative of the first, second and third heavens.

As we study the Tabernacle we see it is a pattern of the salvation of the soul thru the LORD of Israel. It is also a pattern of the three heavens that are mentioned in the scriptures.

At our conversion to the LORD we in essence step into first heaven. Consider what the apostle Paul wrote. Ephesians 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: So, we here and now ‘sit in heavenly places’. When we come to the LORD we have entered into ‘first heaven’. People who convert to the LORD don’t just at sometime in the future go to heaven, but at conversion have entered into the first heaven. Some may say ‘I don’t feel like I’m in heaven’. My answer; faith is not feeling. If someone has come to the LORD and does not realize that they are in first heaven perhaps they have never been told or considered it. When we come to the LORD, we figuratively have stepped into the outer court of the Tabernacle. When we ask the LORD to come into our lives we enter in the ‘Gate of Entrance’. There was only one entrance into the Tabernacle, it is known as ‘the Gate of Entrance’. Jesus tells us that he is the only gate or door of entrance into the kingdom of God. No man can come to the Father without Jesus. Jesus is metaphorically ‘the way’ ‘the gate’ and ‘the door’. The word ‘door’ in our next scripture is also the same Greek word for ‘gate’. John 10:7&9 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. 9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. We find pasture by eating the precepts and teachings and Spirit of God.

Psalms 118:19-20 Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD: 20 This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter. Jesus is the gate of the LORD. In our next scripture Jesus elaborates more about ‘The Gate Of Entrance’. Matthew 7:13-14 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Narrow is the ‘WAY’ (Jesus) that leads to eternal life. Jesus further elaborates. Luke 13:24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. The ‘gate’ is strait and narrow, what this means is that no carnal, fleshly, worldly people will be able to enter into the deeper things of God. Ephesians 2:18 For through him (Jesus) we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Through our faith and belief that Jesus Christ is the Son of God we have access to the Father. Our prayers are heard because we have this access. We have entered thru the ‘gate’, it is our ‘entrance’ into the kingdom of God, and therefore the Father recognizes us. I have a study on the Tabernacle and it’s significance to our spiritual life. Here is a thumbnail sketch.

First Heaven Or The Outer Court Experience: After we have gone thru ‘the gate of entrance’ the first thing we see is the brazen altar. The Brazen Altar: The brazen altar is where the animal sacrifices were made by fire. The brazen altar represents the sacrifices that we have to make to follow the LORD; we quit allowing the carnal man that dwells in us to influence us. We start to resist sin. We try to become like the LORD forgiving those who do us wrong, we pray for our enemies, we learn to turn the other cheek. We don’t avenge ourselves. We start to become ‘a new man’. Here are a few scriptures about this outer court experience at the brazen altar. Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. Matthew 10:38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. This is the brazen altar experience, denying our carnal or ‘old man’. Ephesians 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; Colossians 3:9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

Romans 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. Being a Christian is more than just asking forgiveness, we become ‘a new man’ patterned after the life of Jesus Christ. Ephesians 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Colossians 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: At the brazen altar we learn to burn and yet not be consumed; just like the burning bush that Moses saw when the LORD called him. Exodus 3:2 And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. 3 And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. The LORD thy God is a consuming fire, he burns all the dross out of us. Hebrews 12:29 For our God is a consuming fire. At the brazen altar we sacrifice the ‘animal’ that dwells in every one of us. The Laver The second thing we see in the outer court is the laver. The laver is a washbasin; its bottom was lined with mirrors. The laver is where the priest’s would wash and examine themselves with the mirrors

on the bottom before they could enter into ‘the Tent of Meeting’. The priest’s could not enter the Tent of Meeting with any uncleanness on them. The laver is a figurative simile of the WORD of God, when we come to the LORD we start to learn the WORD of God and it makes us clean. Spiritually the waters of the laver soothe the fire of the brazen altar. Ephesians 5:26 That he (Jesus) might sanctify and cleanse it (the church) with the washing of water by the word, This is a wonderful description of the laver experience, just as the priest’s washed at the laver so also must we wash with the water of the WORD of God. Knowing the word intimately helps us be morally and spiritually clean. 1 Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: ‘That you may grow thereby’, none of this happens overnight, we grow in God by continual thoughts and prayers to Him. If I have time to let my mind wander, I want it to wander toward Him, and the rehearsal of His WORD in my thoughts. 1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. You often hear people talk about being ‘born again’ by the Spirit, rarely do you hear anyone mention how important it is to be ‘born again’ by the WORD of God. No one is fully ‘born again’ until they are born by both the Spirit and the WORD. Jesus explains this concept in our next scripture.

John 4:23-24 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

The WORD of God is our touchstone that we examine ourselves with. 1 Corinthians 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. Eat the WORD - drink the Spirit. The laver experience is a place of self - examination. 2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? (An unprincipled person) After we have been to the brazen altar and the laver, and they have had their work in us we are ready to enter into second heaven. First & second heaven happens while we are alive here on earth, not after we’ve died the natural death. God is the God of the living, not the dead. Second Heaven Or The Holy Place Experience: Second heaven in my opinion is also a spiritual condition; It is a deeper more meaningful relationship with the LORD. It is when we no longer willfully sin; things of the world or of the flesh no longer interest us. In second heaven is where we become spiritually pure which one has to be before they can enter third heaven. The Tabernacle again holds more metaphors to second heaven. As we enter into the ‘Tent of Meeting’ the first compartment is ‘the Holy

Place’, a vail (veil) or curtain separates it from the outer court. The second compartment in the Tent of Meeting is known as the ‘Holy of Holies’, which is the seat of the LORD. There is also a vail that separates the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. The only difference of the two vails is the one between the Holy Place & the Holy of Holies has embroidered cherubim signifying that third heaven is the realm where the LORD and the heavenly angels abide. When we enter thru the vail into the Holy Place we find three implements. To our left is the seven-branched pure golden candlestick also known as the menorah, to the right the table of showbread, also known as the bread of presence. Directly in front of us we would see the altar of incense. The Seven-Branch Candlestick: The seven-branch candlestick represents the Holy Spirit; the table of showbread represents the WORD. The altar of incense represents our prayer. The seven-branch candlestick has a twofold representation, first it represents the seven spirits of God or the seven manifestations of the Holy Spirit, and secondly it represents a perfect understanding that man can achieve by the WORD and the Holy Spirit. The menorah is the only source of light in the ‘Tent of Meeting’. Psalms 18:28 For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness. Psalms 36:9 For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light. Psalms 43:3 O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.

In Psalms 43:3 it says tabernacles in the plural, this is speaking of the two compartments in the ‘Tent of Meeting’, a type of second and third heaven. Only by the light and truth can anyone enter into them. Light & truth is Spirit & WORD. Proverbs 4:18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. Proverbs 6:23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life: The ultimate light is found in the person of Jesus Christ. He is THE LIGHT. John 1:7-9 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8 He (John the Baptist) was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. John 12:46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. I mentioned earlier that the seven- branched candlestick represents the Holy Spirit. Here are a few scriptures that relate.

John 14:16-17 & 26 And I (Jesus) will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. John 15:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. So, the seven-branched candlestick is representative of the Holy Spirit who will ‘guide you into all truth’ and ‘he shall teach you all things’. It gives perfect light or perfect understanding in the things of God. To more fully understand this, do a search in the scriptures about the seven spirits of God. A thought on the Holy Spirit, it is the ‘unction’ of the Holy Spirit that leads you to God, but not until one comes into the second heaven does one start to recognize it’s sublime Presence in all things. It is what makes every snowflake different from all others. Every blade of grass under the microscope is unique. The Table of Showbread: The next implement we would see in the Holy Place to our right is the table of showbread also called the bread of Divine Presence. The showbread was replaced once a week on the Sabbath the priests would then eat the bread. Because the bread had been in the Divine Presence it was considered holy and only the priests could eat of it, it was not available to the average Israeli. The table of

showbread represents the deeper understandings in the WORD of God, the average person will never understand because they don’t study the word. Many people who come to the LORD, who by choice have a superficial knowledge of the WORD. The reason why some people who come to the LORD have a superficial knowledge is because at some point they stop seeking (often because they haven’t been taught). There are many Christians who virtually know nothing about the scriptures. Because of the cares of the world they have quit ‘seeking the LORD’. It becomes a feel good religion, not a spiritual pursuit. Baptism is the beginning, not the end. In the second heaven experience the WORD of God is more important to an individual than anything, children, spouse, money, temporal life, anything! Matthew 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me (Jesus) is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. The showbread is also called the bread of Divine Presence; by the word of God in us we have the Divine Presence in us. A prophecy about Jesus in the book of Isaiah calls him Immanuel, which means "God with us" or "with us is God". Jesus told us in the book of John that he is the bread of life that came down from heaven. Jesus is the ‘bread of Divine Presence’ that desires to dwell in us. John 6:31-35 & 41& 43-44 & 48 & 50-51 & 58 Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat. 32 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.

34 Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. 35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. 41 The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven. 43 Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves. 44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. 48 I am that bread of life. 50 This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. 51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. 58 This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever. Jesus is the bread of Divine Presence. The bread of life was given ‘for the life of the world’. The Altar Of Incense: The altar of incense is the third implement in the Holy Place; it is positioned right in front of the vail that separates the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. The altar of incense represents our prayers. In the Holy Place there are only spiritual things, The Spirit represented by the seven-branched candlestick, The WORD represented by the table of showbread, the altar of incense represents our prayers. Psalms 141:2 Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

Revelation 8:3-4 And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 4 And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand. So, we can see a connection between the smoke of the incense and prayer. Our next scripture is from the TANAKH Translation Jewish Study Bible. I would suggest anyone wanting a clearer understanding of the Old Testament get a copy, it’s about thirty-five dollars. Available at any major bookstore. TANAKH Translation (Jewish Study Bible); Psalms 65:1-4 Praise befits You in Zion, O' God; vows are paid to You; 2 all mankind comes to You, You who hear prayer. 3 When all manner of sins overwhelm me. It is You who forgives our iniquities, 4 Happy is the man You choose to and bring near to dwell in Your courts; may we be sated with the blessing of Your house, Your holy temple. Happy is the man God chooses to dwell in his courts. ‘Courts’ here also translates to ‘enclosures’ this is referring to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd heaven. The LORD hears our prayer even when ‘all manner of sins overwhelm me’. 1 Kings 8:49 Then hear thou their prayer and their supplication in heaven thy dwelling place, and maintain their cause, The LORD hears prayer and supplication from heaven His dwelling place, this is speaking of the third heaven.

The LORD loves and is concerned about our prayer. Prayer is more than just asking for things, prayer is also being in persistent mindfulness and thought in HiM. Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Perfect peace is a good description of the completed second heaven experience. Jonah 2:7 When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple. Prayer is very important to our spiritual life. Third Heaven: The LORD is an extremely powerful spiritual Being. All descriptions of Him in the Old Testament are that He is a very dangerous thing to be around. Because of His holiness and purity anything contrary to it cannot exist in His Presence. That is why there was a thick vail between the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies so the ministering priests wouldn’t die. When Moses met the Deity he was terrified and afraid to look upon God. Exodus 3:6 Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God. Later when Moses goes on the mountain to stand before the LORD he is issued a warning, not to look into the face of God. Exodus 33:17-20 And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.

18 And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. 19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy. 20 And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. The LORD, in His FULL GLORY cannot be looked upon by a man or the man will die. We think of Jesus as a benevolent Deity because of the earthly description of him in the Gospels. But upon HIS return we will find HIM in HIS FULL POWER & GLORY and HE will be anything but benevolent. HE will return as the DESTROYER of ALL things & people contrary to HIS will and purpose. The LORD is always benevolent, yet returns in FULL GLORY like seen in the Old Testament, like these descriptions that we are now reading. A POWER unimaginable, the natural sun wax and wanes or stretches and collapses in HIS PRESENCE. Exodus 33: 21-23 And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: 22 And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by: 23 And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen. Moses finds favor and is allowed to see the backside of the Deity. The radiant brilliance of such a Being transferred onto Moses and his skin shined. Exodus 34: 29-30 And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses’ hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him.

30 And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him. When Moses returned his face ‘shined’, which unnerved the people. Exodus 34:32-35 And afterward all the children of Israel came nigh: and he gave them in commandment all that the LORD had spoken with him in mount Sinai. 33 And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a vail on his face. 34 But when Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he took the vail off, until he came out. And he came out, and spake unto the children of Israel that which he was commanded. 35 And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face shone: and Moses put the vail upon his face again, until he went in to speak with him. The reason I brought these scriptures up is I want to show what an unworldly heavenly force of nature this Deity is. The day the Divine Presence entered the Tabernacle the TANAKH calls it The Day of Revelation. (Read Lev 9 & 10) TANAKH translation Leviticus 10:23-24 Moses and Aaron then went into the Tent of Meeting. When they came out they blessed the people; and the Presence of the LORD appeared unto all the people. 24 Fire came forth from before the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the fat parts on the altar, And all the people saw, and shouted, and fell on their faces. In the ‘Tent of Meeting’ in the Holy of Holies is where this radiant Deity dwelt. The ‘Tent of Meeting’ measured 45 feet long by 15

feet wide, 15 feet high, the Holy Place was 30 feet long and 15 feet wide, the Holy of Holies was half the space measuring 15 feet long 15 feet wide. The entire purpose of the Tabernacle was so the LORD could dwell with and communicate with His people.

Inside the Holy of Holies is the Ark of the Covenant, contained inside the Ark is the tablets of stone that had the Ten Commandments written on them. Also inside the Ark was Aaron’s rod that was made out of almond wood and even though separated from its tree still budded. Also inside the Ark was also a bowl of manna. Atop of the Ark is the mercy seat, which had two Cherubim, made out of one piece of gold that covered the Ark. The Holy of Holies

was most sacred and entered only once a year on the Day of Atonement by the high priest. Earlier in our lesson we read this next scripture it deserves further investigation. This is where we get the phrase ‘third heaven’. 2 Corinthians 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 knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) 4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. It is my belief that Paul was speaking of himself, whether it was Paul or someone Paul knew it made quite an impression on him. Perhaps it was John the Revelator since most of the Revelation is third heaven visions. Whoever it was, he had some out of body experience, and was ‘caught up’ into the third heaven, ‘and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.’ This is interesting that this person heard words in the ‘third’ heaven that are not law for a man to utter. The Jews believed that it was unlawful to utter God’s name YHVH (or YAHWEH), translated to ‘LORD’ in our modern bibles. Here is another scripture that matches the theme of a hidden or unspeakable words of knowledge. Revelation 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

Hidden manna? What could that possibly mean? It thrills me that we have not yet scratched the surface concerning spiritual things. The half has not been told. Isaiah 64:4 For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him. 1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. We cannot imagine what is in the future for those who are redeemed. Job 5: 8-9 I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause: 9 Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number: Romans 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! The LORD is to big too wrap our minds around. The LORD is a mysterious Being, to be revered and feared. Psalms 113:4 The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens. Solomon at the dedication of the Temple he built for the LORD made this observation about how unimaginable and uncontainable the LORD is.

1 Kings 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 builded? (3 heavens) Isaiah 66:1 Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? Deuteronomy 10:14 Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD’S thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is. Consider this interpretation; ‘the heaven (cosmos) and the heaven (3rd heaven) of heavens (2nd & 1st) is the LORD’S’. Jeremiah 23:24 Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD. I believe that hundreds of millions maybe billions of people go into the third heaven, this is a scripture I derive that from. Revelation 5: 6-11 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. 7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. 8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. 9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast

redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. 11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; You just read about the 3rd heaven; these are humans redeemed out of every kindred, people and nation thru the period of two thousand years. Ten thousand times ten thousand is at least one hundred million plus souls in the third heaven. Truthfully it is an innumerable multitude, an unlimited number. They are called angels but they are redeemed humans, the reason they are called angels is because they have received spiritual bodies like the angels. Jesus speaks of these people in our next two scriptures. Matthew 22:30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. Mark 12:25 For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven. The Third Heaven Spiritual Body: Humans that achieve third heaven receive a spiritual body like the angels, an indestructible substance. One has to be a spiritual being to be in third heaven. The spiritual body received by redeemed humans is know by many different descriptions in the bible, its called white robe, white stone, mansions, white garment, the garment of praise, the garments of salvation, the robe of righteousness, white raiment.

Revelation 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. Revelation 6:11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; Revelation 3:4-5 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. 5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. Daniel 12:10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. Revelation 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. Another good type of the 1st, 2nd & 3rd heavens is found in Noah’s ark, which had three levels or stories to it. The 1st level house unclean beasts, the 2nd housed the clean beasts and the 3rd level housed Noah and his family.

In closing I want to leave you with a controversy that may cause those who consider themselves ‘learned’ to scoff. There is no ‘third heaven’ angel that has ever fallen out of third heaven, no third heaven angel has ever been expelled out of the third heaven, there has never been rebellion or war in the third heaven. While interpreting don’t exchange the figurative for the literal. So what do we do with these following scriptures? Revelation 12:7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, Michael is Jesus, the name Michael means ‘he who is like God’, there is only one like the FATHER, that is Jesus. The war in heaven is in 1st heaven and it’s happening today. The angels or ministers of Christ war against the dragon (civil & religious powers) and his angels, all that have contrary ideologies to the WORD of GOD. Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. Daniel 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. I believe that this ‘time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time:’ is the tribulation or the last fifteen years before Jesus’ return. The ‘war in heaven’ is on the earth it is a war for 1st heaven not 3rd heaven. No division can exist in the PRESENCE of The ALMIGHTY.

Fallen angels? As I mentioned earlier I don’t believe that any third heaven angel has fallen out or ‘from’ heaven or the 3rd heaven. Consider our next scripture and its proper interpretation. Isaiah 14:12-14 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! 13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. This is one of the most misinterpreted scriptures in the bible and needs to be read in its full context. This is a dirge about Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon who destroyed the Temple that Solomon built in Jerusalem. Isaiah 14:4-5 ¶ That thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased! the golden city ceased! 5 The LORD hath broken the staff of the wicked, and the sceptre of the rulers. This is a proverb or more correctly as translated in the TANAKH as a ‘song of scorn’. It was not written to be taken as literal, it is prophetic poetry denouncing this powerful king who in his day ruled the entire ancient world and did it with brutal cruelty. He was so powerful, he thought himself a god. To fuller understand one should read the thirteen and fourteenth chapters of Isaiah together.

Let’s read the TANAKH translation of Isaiah fourteen. Isaiah 14:3-22 And when the LORD has given you (Israel) rest from your sorrow and trouble, and from the hard service that you were made to serve, you shall recite this song of scorn over the king of Babylon: How is the taskmaster vanished, How is the oppression ended! The LORD has broken the staff of the wicked,

The rod of tyrants, That smote the peoples in wrath, With stroke unceasing, That belabored nations in fury In relentless pursuit.

All the earth is calm, untroubled: Loudly it cheers. Even the pine rejoice at your fate, And all the cedars of Lebanon: “Now that you have lain down, None shall come up to fell us.”

Sheol (Hell) below was astir To greet your coming- Rousing for you the shades Of all the earth’s chieftains, Raising up from their thrones All the kings of nations. All speak up and say to you “So you have been stricken as we were, You have become like us! Your pomp is brought down to Sheol, And the strains of your lutes! Worms are to be your bed Maggots your blanket!”

How are you fallen from heaven, O Shining One, son of Dawn! How are you fallen to earth O vanquisher of nations! Once you thought in your heart “I will climb to the sky; Higher than the stars of God I will set my throne. I will sit in the mount of the assembly,

On the summit of Zaphon; (translates; the abode of the gods c/f Ps 48:3)

I will mount the back of a cloud- I will match the Most High.” Instead you are brought down to Sheol, To the bottom of the Pit They who behold you stare They peer at you closely: Is this the man Who shook the whole earth, Who made realms to tremble, Who made the world like a waste And wrecked its towns, Who never released his prisoners to their homes?” All the kings of nations Were laid, every one, in honor Each in his tomb While you were left lying unburied, Like loathsome carrion, Like a trampled corpse In the clothing of the slain gashed by the sword Who sink to the very stones of the Pit. You shall not have a burial like them; Because you have destroyed your country, Murdered your people.

Let the breed of evildoers Nevermore be named! Prepare the slaughtering block for his sons Because of the guilt of their father. Let them not arise to possess the earth! Then the worlds face shall be covered with towns. I will rise up against them – declares the LORD of Hosts – and will wipe out from Babylon name and remnant, kith and kin – declares the LORD – I will make it a home of bitterness, pools of water. I will sweep it with the broom of extermination – declares the LORD of Hosts. Notice in the TANAKH translation used the term O Shining One, son of Dawn!, instead of the O Lucifer, son of the morning!, found in the King James Version (KJV). The term Lucifer is found only once in the bible and should not be compared with Satan. Both are mythical personifications in the tradition of poetic prophetical writing, they are not real beings or 3rd heaven angels.

How are you fallen from heaven, O Shining One, son of Dawn! How are you fallen to earth O vanquisher of nations! Let’s look at the Jewish Study Bible or the TANAKH, and read the side notes on why O Shining One, son of Dawn! is used instead of O Lucifer, son of the morning! TANAKH side note on Isaiah 14:12-15; it reads. The king’s vain aspirations to god-like status are mocked. Isaiah refers ironically to the king as the Shining One, son of Dawn! ,

applying to him the name of a character from ancient Canaanite myth. (The term Shining One is not known in Canaanite texts, but his father, Dawn, is described in Canaanite myth as the son of the high god El. The name closely recalls Phaethon son of Eos [or “radiant one” son of Dawn] in Greek mythology. Phaethon, a presumptuous young god, was thrown down to earth by Zeus). This character seems to have attempted to join the head of the pantheon, whether this was El (who was known in Canaanite texts as Most High) or Baal (whose place is located on Mount Zaphon); Isaiah seems to mix the characteristics of these two Canaanite deities in his allusion to the myth. Similar references to a Canaanite myth in which an overreaching god is expelled from heaven occur in Ezek. ch 28 and Ps. 82 and possibly Gen 6:1-4. Rabbinic commentators identify the term Shining One with the morning star (the planet Venus, which is sometimes visible on the horizon at dawn). Indeed, the poem refers to having been associated with the morning star in ancient Canaanite myth. So, I believe the way that most modern Christianity has interpreted this as Satan and one third of all the angels in 3rd heaven leaving with him, is wrong. We are now drifting into something different than our original study on Heaven- Heavens -1st 2nd & 3rd. This lesson could be another fifty pages in length, yet I feel the general synopsis has been presented. May God richly bless you! LORD willing, I publish more on fallen angels and the mythical figure Satan in the future.

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