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Scripture Reading:  2 Corinthians 12:1-6

Bible Question Box: The Third Heaven

Intro.

1.  “In 2 Corinthians 12:2-4, what is the third heaven? Can you explain this passage? Was Paul speaking of himself?”

2.  Yes, Paul was speaking of himself; the situation at Corinth compelled him to do so, 2 Cor. 10:1-2, 7-11.  (2 Cor. 10-13)

  a.  Enemies of the faith were resisting/rejecting Paul’s apostleship & thus, resisting Christ & His gospel, 13:3 (Jno. 13:20; Lk. 10:16)

  b.  The Holy Spirit gives a spirited defense of Christ’s apostle to the Gentiles (2 Cor. 10-13).

I. THE THIRD HEAVEN.

  A.  The First Heaven: The Sky / Atmosphere, Gen. 1:6-8, 20.

    1.  The expanse (firmament) where the clouds exist & the birds fly; Matt. 6:26.

    2.  God called this firmament (expanse) “heaven,” Gen. 1:8.

    3.  The “first heaven” will be destroyed, Rev. 20:11; 21:1.

  B.  The Second Heaven: The Expanse where the Sun, Moon & Stars Exist, Gen. 1:14-19. (outer space)

    1.  Divides the day & night, 1:14.

    2.  Regulates seasons on the earth, 1:14 (Acts 14:17).

    3.  Declares God’s glory & powerful achievement (work), Psa. 19:1-4; 33:6; Rom. 1:19-20.

      a.  God has shown his power & nature through it, Rom. 1:19-20.

      b.  The second heaven magnifies & praises God, Psa. 148:1-5.

    4.  It will also finally be destroyed, 2 Pet. 3:10-12.

  C.  The Third Heaven: The Place of the Righteous Ones with God, 2 Cor. 12:1-4.

    1.  Paradise (12:4; Lk. 23:43; Rev. 2:7):

    2.  Paradise given two usages in NT:

      a.  Intermediate state of righteous dead, Lk. 23:43 (Acts 2:27; Lk. 16:22).

      b.  Eternal state of the righteous dead, Rev. 2:7.

        1)  Promised to those who overcome the temptations of sin.

        2)  Tree of life, Rev. 22:1-5. (Gen. 3:22)

    3.  Whether Paul was given a glimpse of the comfort that immediately follows death, or of the eternal communion with God before His throne, he did not say, for he “heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter” (2 Cor. 12:4).

II. THE THIRD HEAVEN: A HABITATION WITH GOD, Jno. 14:1-6.

  A.  Bliss, Comfort, Rest, Rev. 14:13 (Lk. 16:25).

  B.  Fellowship with Christ is its Abiding Comfort, 2 Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:23; 2 Tim. 4:18.

  C.  Affects How We Must Live Now, 2 Pet. 3:11, 13.

    1.  Holy conduct, Matt. 6:19-21.

    2.  Godliness, 1 Tim. 4:8; 6:3.

       -Heb. 12:1-2-

Conclusion

1.  Even after great visions & revelations, it was required of Paul that he bring himself into subjection to Christ & rely upon His grace (1 Cor. 9:27; 2 Cor. 12:9-10)

2.  As we live under the heavens (1^st & 2^nd), let us live in preparation for the “third heaven,” 2 Cor. 5:1-4; Heb. 11:13-16.