"The Heavens"

Bryan Matthew Dockens

"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1). That's right: "heavens" plural, as in more than one. Scripture can be a bit confusing to those who don't understand this.

The first heaven is the atmospheric heaven, what we know as the sky. This is where birds fly (Genesis 1:20; Psalm 104:12). It is the expanse occupied by the clouds, where wind blows (Psalm 78:26), and rain falls (James 5:18).

The second heaven is the astral heaven, or outer space. This is the realm occupied by the sun, the moon, the stars, and the constellations (Deuteronomy 4:19; 2 Kings 23:5).

Come the day of God, these heavens will cease to be. They will melt with fervent heat when Christ judges the souls of all men (2 Peter 3:7, 10-12). Having passed away, they will be replaced (2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1).

"The third heaven", according to inspiration, is "Paradise" (2 Corinthians 12:2-4). From the cross, Jesus taught that Paradise is the immediate destination of the blessed dead (Luke 23:43). It is located within Hades (Acts 2:27, 31). This place of comfort is also known as "Abraham's bosom" and is situated across "a great gulf" from "torments", also found in Hades (Luke 16:22-23, 26).

Like the first two heavens, Hades will not outlast the judgment day (Revelation 20:12-15).

"The height of heaven" (Job 22:12) is the "holy habitation" of God (Deuteronomy 26:15), His own dwelling place (Psalm 123:1). There He is enthroned (Psalm 11:4), there the angels behold Him, and there Christ joined Him when He ascended from the earth (Mark 16:19). This heaven is the eventual destination of the righteous (Philippians 3:20).

Sin's Not A Smart Investment

Author Unknown

Adam and Eve, for a bit of fruit when they were not even hungry, brought suffering, shame, and death upon themselves and us (Genesis 3).

Lot's wife, revealing her longing for the things that pertain to earth, took one last look back and became a pillar of salt (Genesis 19).

Achan, for a garment he could not wear, and for silver and gold he could not spend, paid all his possessions, family, and life (Joshua 7).

Samson, for the caress of a hypocritical woman, lost his will, his strength, his liberty, his eyes, and finally his life (Judges 15).

David, to enjoy another man's wife, handed to posterity a tale of adultery, shame, and tears, boldly written across its face (2 Samuel 11, 12).

Ahab, coveting a vineyard he'd never enjoy, permitted his wife to have its owner killed (2 Kings 23).

Judas, for thirty pieces of silver which he had no occasion or conscience to use, took his own life in shame and despair (Matthew 27).

Demas, loving the transient world more than a permanent future, forsook and provoked the wrath of heaven (2 Timothy 4).

A Christian who leaves Christ forfeits his ticket to heaven for joys that are only temporary (2 Peter 2:20-33; Hebrews 11:25).

Things You'll Never See At A Pentecostal Healing Service

Author Unknown

One raised from the dead, like Jesus did (John 11:38-44).

• The blind made to see, like Jesus did (John 9:1-12).
• The deaf made to hear, like Jesus did (Mark 7:31-37).
• An ear restored, like Jesus did (Luke 22:49-51).
• A leper cleansed, like Jesus did (Matthew 8:1-4).
• Restoration of a withered hand, like Jesus did (Matthew 12:9-13).
• False teachers struck blind, like Paul did (Acts 13:8-12).
• Order maintained, like Paul commanded (1 Corinthians 14:26-40).

"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1).