WHAT JESUS TAUGHT ABOUT HEAVEN? ( PART 14)
Pastor Christopher Choo
Lesson 3296
WHAT JESUS TAUGHT ABOUT HEAVEN? ( PART 14)
What are the Three Heavens?
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).
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.
The second heaven is interstellar/outer space, which is the abode of the stars, planets, and other celestial objects (Genesis 1:14-18).
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 (Ephesians 4:8). Whoever believes in Christ shall never perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).
Abba Father, there will be only one Heaven in the future and it will be on earth. It will be found in a garden city called the New Jerusalem.
The apostle John was privileged to see and report on this heavenly city (Revelation 21:10-27). John witnessed that Heaven (the New City and the New Earth) possesses the “glory of God” (Revelation 21:11), the very presence of God.
Because this future Heaven has no night and the Lord Himself is the light, the sun and moon are no longer needed (Revelation 22:5).
The city is filled with the brilliance of costly stones and crystal clear jasper. Heaven has twelve gates (Revelation 21:12) and twelve foundations (Revelation 21:14). The paradise of the Garden of Eden has restored: the river of the water of life flows freely and the tree of life is available once again, yielding fruit monthly with leaves that “heal the nations” (Revelation 22:1-2).
However eloquent John was in his description of Heaven, the reality of Heaven is beyond the ability of finite man to describe (1 Corinthians 2:9).
Even so, we thank You for a glimpse of the glory that awaits us in Heaven which is the New Jerusalem in the New Earth.
