TEACHINGS ON HEAVEN ( PART 1 )

Pastor Christopher Choo

Lesson 3207

TEACHINGS ON HEAVEN ( PART 1 )

To believers, Heaven is a real place described in the Bible. 

The word “heaven” is found 276 times in the New Testament alone. 

The apostle Paul was “caught up to the third heaven,” but he was prohibited from revealing what he experienced there (2 Corinthians 12:1-9).

1. THE FIRST HEAVEN

If a third heaven exists, there must also be two other heavens. The first is most frequently referred to in the Old Testament as the “sky” or the “firmament.” This is the heaven that contains clouds, the area that birds fly through.

2. THE SECOND HEAVEN

The second heaven is interstellar/outer space, which is the abode of the stars, planets, and other celestial objects (Genesis 1:14-18).

3. THE THIRD HEAVEN

The third heaven, the location of which is not revealed, is the dwelling place of God. Jesus promised to prepare a place for true Christians in heaven (John 14:2). 

Heaven is also the destination of Old Testament saints who died trusting God's promise of the Redeemer or Messiah (Ephesians 4:8). For whoever beliefs in Christ shall never perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).

ABBA FATHER, Heaven as a desired and real destination is not properly taught in many churches. As a result, it is a hazy concept in the minds of many believers. Some think it is a place of endless worship like an over-long church service. Others view it as some beautiful private estate without walls and where we can roam like buffalos who are " home on the range ". I pray in these series of short studies, they will not be in for a rude awakening. For one, tomorrow's devotion will center on the future New Jerusalem when heaven will be on earth - surprise, surprise! - and not in the third heaven as taught today.