The three levels of heaven explained
Since my little granddaughter passed away in 2019, I’ve thought a lot about heaven. I’ve spent time studying the scriptures on the topic and look forward to the day when I will see her again.
But I admit I was a little taken aback when I came across Bible verses that stated heaven would disappear.
For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. (Matthew 5:18 NIV)
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. (Matthew 24:35 NIV)
What? How can heaven disappear? When will it pass away? I had to investigate further and I’d like to share what I’ve discovered.
Heaven is real. There are over 200 times that Heaven is mentioned in the Bible. And there are different levels of Heaven.
First Heaven
The first is the immediate atmosphere where there are clouds and where birds fly.
Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.(James 5:18 NIV).
Second Heaven
The second Heaven is outer space where the sun, moon, and planets are.
Immediately after the distress of those days ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’ (Matthew 24:29 NIV)
Third Heaven
The third Heaven is where God resides.
This third (or present/current) Heaven is where we go when we die. But it’s not our permanent eternal dwelling place. And it’s not a place but a state — a temporary or intermediate state. The final state is the New Heaven (or future/eternal) we read about in the Book of Revelation.
In the Bible, death was described as a type of sleep. “Falling asleep” or “lay down with my ancestors” were terms to describe death. The moment believers die, they will be with Jesus. They’ll be in a paradise of bliss with Christ our Lord.
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:42–43 NIV)
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. (Philippians 1:21–24 NIV)
Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. (2 Corinthians 5:6–9 NIV).
The future Heaven will be located on the new Earth. It’s the final place where the spirits of the dead will join with their resurrection bodies.
New Earth
The new Earth will be the eternal dwelling place of believers. The new Earth and the new Heaven are sometimes referred to as the “eternal home”.
In the future, God will destroy the current Heaven and Earth, and He will create the new Heaven and new Earth.
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. (2 Peter 3:10–12 NIV)
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. (Revelation 21:1 NIV)
The new Earth will host the new Jerusalem. This is where there will be streets of gold and pearly gates. A paradise.
The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass. (Revelation 21:21 NIV)
God will dwell with us here. Our bodies will be resurrected, and we will be free of sin, pain, and death.
Whether it’s the present Heaven or the new Heaven, when we die, we will be in the presence of God. I look forward to spending eternity in Heaven with God — and with my granddaughter.