How many heavens are there- How many heavens are mentioned in the Bible
Whenever the word “heaven” is mentioned, what comes to mind for many people is a beautiful place that we go to when we die. Since time immemorial, there have been many notions about what heaven looks like and how many heavens we have.
The truth is, no one has been able to tell how many heavens are there, since it is a divine place that is beyond human reasoning. In this article, we will look at the possible number of heavens that exist.
How many heavens are mentioned in the Bible
Concerning the question of how many heavens are there, many Bible scholars believe that there are three heavens because of Paul’s account in 2nd Corinthians. He mentioned that he knew someone in Christ who was caught up to the third heaven. Hence, if there is a third heaven, there would be first and second heaven.
2 Corinthians 12:2 (ESV)
I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows.
Let us consider the possible three types of heavens in the Bible with this in mind.
The First Heaven- The Earth’s atmosphere
The Earth’s atmosphere can be regarded as the atmospheric space, the immediate sky which holds the clouds where the birds reside. This heaven is the most visible one that everyone can see. It allows us to marvel at the creativity of God in suspending the clouds above our heads. There are some scriptures that shed more light on this.
Judges 5:4 (ESV)
Lord, when you went out from Seir when you marched from the region of Edom, the Earth trembled, and the heavens dropped, yes; the clouds dropped water.
James 5:17-18 (ESV)
Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months, it did not rain on the Earth. Then he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the Earth bore its fruit.
The Second Heaven – The Outer Space (The Moon, Planets and Stars)
From our knowledge of science there is an outer space that we cannot see with our physical eyes except when we travel there. Many people call this space the heaven that holds the Earth’s atmosphere. The outer space consists of the planets, moon and stars.
Isaiah 13:10 (ESV)
For the stars of the heavens and their constellations will not give their light; the sun will be dark at its rising, and the moon will not shed its light.
Deuteronomy 17:3 (ESV)
and has gone and served other gods and worshipped them, or the sun or the moon or any of the hosts of heaven, which I have forbidden.
The Third Heaven – Where God dwells
The third heaven is where our God lives, and it is where every Christian looks forward to going when we leave this Earth. Some parts of the scriptures call this third heaven the heaven of heavens, and sometimes, the paradise.
Nehemiah 9:6 (ESV)
You are the Lord, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the Earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them; and the host of heaven worships you.
2 Corinthians 12:2-3 (ESV)
I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows.
How to get to heaven
When heaven and hell are mentioned in the same sentence, many Christians quickly mutter a silent prayer requesting that they end up in the former and not the latter. Making it to heaven requires you to follow some simple steps.
1. Admit that you are a sinner and repent of your sins
To get to heaven, you need to acknowledge that you are a sinner. This means you were born into a world of sin, and you need forgiveness to make heaven. Sins separate us from God, which means that we cannot enter heaven in a body of sin. When you accept that you are a sinner, you have taken a step in the right direction.
Romans 3:23-24 (ESV)
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
Romans 6:23 (ESV)
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
2. Accept the life of Christ
You need to understand that even though you have lived your life as a good person, it does not qualify you for heaven. Anyone who wants to get to heaven needs to accept the life of Christ to be a member of God’s eternal household.
John 3:16-18 (ESV)
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
John 14:6 (ESV)
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
3. Live a Godly life
The process of living a Godly life is not a complicated one. It means doing what would make you like Christ, which shows God’s nature and character. After getting saved you should not relax, thinking that everything is okay. Like addiction, a Christian can relapse (backslide) if proper measures are not implemented.
When you accept the life of Christ, it is important to develop a solid prayer and word study life to learn more about God and develop intimacy with him. Also, you need to join a Bible-believing church where the word of God is taught undiluted. This will help you live a Godly life and make heaven when you leave this Earth.
Romans 12:1-2 (ESV)
I appeal to you, therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Frequently asked questions
Is there 3 heavens in the Bible?
Yes, there are. Even though the Bible does not assign numbers to these heavens, there are different places in the scriptures where the distinction between one another are made.
The First heaven is the physical one that we can see, which contains the clouds and the skies, where the birds of the air reside. The second heaven is the one beyond the scope of our physical eyes. However, we can glimpse what it looks like when visiting space.
The second heaven contains the sun, moon, stars and the solar system. The third heaven is where God lives, and is where Jesus promised that we would be when we accept him. Therefore, when concerning the question of how many heavens are there, the Bible only reveals three.
What are the 3 levels of heaven?
The three levels of heaven are the three types of heaven that many scholars talk about. The first level is the Earth’s atmosphere, which we can easily see and contains the clouds. The second level is also called outer space, which contains the Galaxy and the solar system. The third level is where God resides; it is also called the heaven of heavens or paradise.
How many heaven do we have in the Bible?
For the question of how many heavens are there, the Bible does not mention the exact number of heavens present, but there are at least three different types of heaven based on their descriptions. They are called: The atmospheric heaven, the outer space, and God’s dwelling place.
What is the difference between heaven and heavens?
There are different definitions of heaven and heavens. However, the most accurate definition of heaven describes it as the atmospheric and outer space that we experience while we are on Earth. In contrast, the heavens are defined as where God and the heavenly host live.
Conclusion
Having read this piece, you now know how many heavens are there. Many religions have their theology on the number of heavens that exists. However, according to Christianity, three heavens are present.
Also, getting to heaven can be achieved if you abide by the rules. All you have to do is, acknowledge you are a sinner, accept the life of Christ, and live a Godly life while you work on your salvation daily.
Philippians 2:12 (ESV)
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
