Article — Heaven and Hell — Q & A

The idea of three levels of heaven comes from a vision Paul had where he was “caught up to the third heaven” (2 Cor. 12:2). In ancient times, it was common to refer to three heavens or realms—namely, the sky, outer space, and paradise.

 

• The first heaven is the earth's sky, where birds fly.

• The second heaven is outer space, meaning the stars, planets, and galaxies.

• The third heaven would be the spiritual realm where God resides.

 

So the third heaven Paul referred to is what we refer to simply as heaven or paradise. There is only one heaven a believer goes to at death.