Question:
Where in the Scripture does it say there is more than one heaven?
Paul wrote the following:
I know a man in Christ fourteen years before (whether in the body, I do not know; or outside of the body, I do not know; God knows) such a one was caught up to the third Heaven. And I know such a man (whether in the body, or outside of the body, I do not know; God knows), that he was caught up into Paradise and heard unspeakable words, which it is not allowed for a man to utter. (2 Corinthians 12:2-4, MKJV)
Some believe that Paul may have been writing about himself, but was humbly avoiding calling attention to himself. Whether true or not doesn't matter. What is important is that Paul is making a reference to that eternal place called Heaven.
The term Paradise is often thought of as the abode of the saints prior to the resurrection of Christ. It was separate and distinct from the location of Heaven itself, but was a good and peaceful place for the souls of the righteous after death. However, here the timing is set after the resurrection of Christ. So he is using the term Paradise to mean Heaven itself.
The phrase third Heaven is linked by Paul to his use of the term Paradise. Paul is referring to the same eternal place called Heaven. The problem then is in the term third. What does Paul mean using third?
In many places, Scripture also uses the term heaven or heavens to apply to the sky. So it is the case that Paul is applying degrees to the word heaven: first is the atmosphere (our sky); second would be the abode of the stars, what we call Space, and what Scripture speaks of as the empty place (Job 26:7); and third is the eternal place we know as Heaven.
Rev. Pat Reynolds
Wayne Parks Ministries