The Third HeavenThe Third Heaven2 Corinthians 12:1-62 Corinthians 12:1-6

22

Question…Question…

““In In 2 Corinthians 12:2-42 Corinthians 12:2-4, what , what is the third heaven? Can you is the third heaven? Can you explain this passage? Was explain this passage? Was Paul speaking of himself?”Paul speaking of himself?”

Yes, Paul speaks of himself, Yes, Paul speaks of himself, 2 Cor. 10:1-2, 7-112 Cor. 10:1-2, 7-11 (chap. 10-13)(chap. 10-13)

33

Why did Paul speak Why did Paul speak this way? this way? 2 Cor. 10-2 Cor. 10-1313

Enemies of the faith resisted & Enemies of the faith resisted & rejected Paul’s apostleship rejected Paul’s apostleship (authority)(authority)– Resisted Christ & the gospel,Resisted Christ & the gospel, 2 Cor. 2 Cor.

13:3 (Jno. 13:20; Lk. 10:16)13:3 (Jno. 13:20; Lk. 10:16)– The Holy Spirit gives a spirited The Holy Spirit gives a spirited

defense of Christ’s apostle to the defense of Christ’s apostle to the GentilesGentiles

44

The First HeavenThe First HeavenThe sky (atmosphere), The sky (atmosphere), Gen. 1:6-8, Gen. 1:6-8, 2020– The expanse The expanse (firmament) (firmament) where the where the

clouds exist & the birds fly, clouds exist & the birds fly, Matthew Matthew 6:266:26

– Suitable environment for humansSuitable environment for humans– God called this firmament (expanse) God called this firmament (expanse)

“heaven,” “heaven,” Genesis 1:8Genesis 1:8

Will be destroyed, Will be destroyed, Rev. 20:11; 21:1Rev. 20:11; 21:1

55

The Second HeavenThe Second HeavenSun, moon & stars, Sun, moon & stars, Gen. 1:14-19Gen. 1:14-19– Divides the day & the night, Divides the day & the night, 1:141:14– Measure & regulate the seasons on the Measure & regulate the seasons on the

earth, earth, 1:14 1:14 (Lights rule day & night)(Lights rule day & night)– Declares God’s glory & powerful Declares God’s glory & powerful

achievement (His work), achievement (His work), Psa. 19:1-4; Psa. 19:1-4; 33:6; Rom. 1:18-2033:6; Rom. 1:18-20

– Magnifies & praises God,Magnifies & praises God, Psa. 148:1-5 Psa. 148:1-5

It will also be destroyed,It will also be destroyed, 2 Pet. 2 Pet. 3:10-123:10-12

66

The Third HeavenThe Third HeavenPlace of righteous ones with God, Place of righteous ones with God, 2 Cor. 12:1-42 Cor. 12:1-4– PARADISE PARADISE (12:4; Lk. 23:43; Rev. 2:7)(12:4; Lk. 23:43; Rev. 2:7)

Intermediate state of the righteous Intermediate state of the righteous dead,dead, Luke 23:43 (Acts 2:27; Luke Luke 23:43 (Acts 2:27; Luke 16:22)16:22)

Eternal state of the righteous dead,Eternal state of the righteous dead, Rev. 2:7 (22:1-5; Gen. 3:22)Rev. 2:7 (22:1-5; Gen. 3:22)

– Heard inexpressible words Heard inexpressible words (2 Cor. (2 Cor. 12:4)12:4)

77

The Third HeavenThe Third Heaven

A Habitation with God, A Habitation with God, John John 14:1-614:1-6– Bliss, comfort, rest, Bliss, comfort, rest, Rev. 14:13 Rev. 14:13

(Luke 16:25) (Luke 16:25)– Fellowship with Christ is its Fellowship with Christ is its

abiding comfort, abiding comfort, Acts 7:59; 2 Acts 7:59; 2 Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:23; 2 Tim. 4:18Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:23; 2 Tim. 4:18

88

The Third HeavenThe Third Heaven

Affects How We Must Live Affects How We Must Live Now! Now! 2 Peter 3:11, 2 Peter 3:11, 1313– Holy conduct, Holy conduct, Matt. 6:19-21 (1 Matt. 6:19-21 (1

Jno. 3:3)Jno. 3:3)– Godliness, Godliness, 1 Timothy 4:8; 6:3 1 Timothy 4:8; 6:3

(Heb. 12:1-2) (Heb. 12:1-2)

99

The Third HeavenThe Third HeavenPaul’s apostolic authority Paul’s apostolic authority (2 Cor. 11:5)(2 Cor. 11:5)

Paul’s persecutions Paul’s persecutions (2 Cor. 11:22-33)(2 Cor. 11:22-33)

Paul’s visions & revelations Paul’s visions & revelations (2 Cor. 12:1-6)(2 Cor. 12:1-6)

Paul depended on the Lord’s grace, Paul depended on the Lord’s grace, 12:7-12:7-1010

As we live under the first & second As we live under the first & second heavens, we must live in preparation for heavens, we must live in preparation for the third heaven! the third heaven! 2 Cor. 5:1-4; Heb. 2 Cor. 5:1-4; Heb. 11:13-1611:13-16