NO 7 HEAVEN EXIST BUT 3 HEAVENS*
*NO 7 HEAVEN EXIST BUT 3 HEAVENS*
*Author: Pastor Raphy Gordon, ISD*
*Main Verse:*
_"I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven."_ - 2 Corinthians 12:2
*Introduction:*
Many religions, traditions, and even apocryphal books teach that there are "seven heavens" as layers or levels in the spiritual realm. Some say each heaven has different angels, rewards, or purposes. But what does the Bible really say? If we ask the Word of God alone, without adding human opinion, Jewish mysticism, or Islamic tradition, we will find a clear answer. The Holy Scriptures do not teach seven heavens. Instead, the Bible reveals only *three heavens*, and the highest is the *third heaven* where God dwells. Let the Bible answer.
*Is there seven heavens according to the Bible?*
Short answer: *No, the Bible does not teach "seven heavens" as a doctrine.* The Bible only clearly reveals *three heavens*.
*I. DEFINITION OF TERMS*
*Heaven - Shamayim (Hebrew), Ouranos (Greek):*
The word "heaven" in the Bible comes from Hebrew _shamayim_ and Greek _ouranos_. It literally means "heights," "elevated places," or "the expanse." It is used in Scripture to describe three distinct realms, not seven.
_"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth."_ - Genesis 1:1
*Heavens - Plural Form:*
When the Bible uses "heavens" plural, it refers to the totality of all three realms God created, or it is a Hebrew idiom for completeness. It is not a count of seven.
_"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork."_ - Psalm 19:1
*Heaven of Heavens:*
This is a Hebrew superlative phrase meaning "the highest heaven." Like "King of kings" means the highest King, "heaven of heavens" means the highest place — God's dwelling.
_"Behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee"_ - 1 Kings 8:27
_"To him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens"_ - Psalm 68:33
*II. THE THREE HEAVENS IN THE BIBLE - DETAILED EXPLANATION*
*1. FIRST HEAVEN: THE ATMOSPHERIC HEAVEN - The Sky*
*Definition:* The first heaven is the atmospheric layer surrounding the earth. This is the sky where clouds form, rain falls, winds blow, and birds fly. It is the immediate heaven above us that we see daily.
*Biblical Support:*
- _"And God called the firmament Heaven."_ - Genesis 1:8. The firmament is the expanse where birds fly.
- _"Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not"_ - Matthew 6:26. The Greek says "birds of the heaven."
- _"The windows of heaven were opened"_ - Genesis 7:11. Referring to rain from the sky.
- _"I will give you the rain of your land in his due season... that thou mayest gather in thy corn"_ - Deuteronomy 11:14. Rain comes from the first heaven.
- _"He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain"_ - Psalm 135:7
*Purpose:* This heaven gives life to the earth. It provides rain, air, and seasons. Genesis 8:22. It is the heaven involved in God's judgments like the flood. Genesis 7:11-12.
*2. SECOND HEAVEN: THE CELESTIAL HEAVEN - Outer Space*
*Definition:* The second heaven is outer space — the realm of the sun, moon, stars, planets, and galaxies. This is the vast universe beyond our atmosphere. It is called the "firmament" or "expanse" that God stretched out.
*Biblical Support:*
- _"And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also. And God set them in the firmament of the heaven"_ - Genesis 1:16-17
- _"When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained"_ - Psalm 8:3
- _"Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light. Praise him, ye heavens of heavens"_ - Psalm 148:3-4
- _"There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars"_ - 1 Corinthians 15:41
- _"And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth"_ - Revelation 6:13
*Purpose:* This heaven declares God's glory and power. Psalm 19:1. It serves as signs for seasons, days, and years. Genesis 1:14. It shows the vastness of God's creation. Isaiah 40:26.
*3. THIRD HEAVEN: THE DIVINE HEAVEN - Paradise, God's Dwelling*
*Definition:* The third heaven is the spiritual realm where God dwells. This is Paradise, the throne room of God, the place of angels, and the future home of the saints. It is outside of time and space. This is the "heaven of heavens."
*Biblical Support:*
- _"I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago... such an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man... how that he was caught up into paradise"_ - 2 Corinthians 12:2-4. Paul equates the third heaven with Paradise.
- _"Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens"_ - Hebrews 8:1
- _"Our Father which art in heaven"_ - Matthew 6:9. God dwells in the third heaven.
- _"The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne is in heaven"_ - Psalm 11:4
- _"In my Father's house are many mansions... I go to prepare a place for you"_ - John 14:2. Jesus went to the third heaven.
- _"Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places"_ - Ephesians 1:20
- _"To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne"_ - Revelation 3:21
*Purpose:* This is the eternal dwelling of God, angels, and redeemed saints. It is the place of worship, glory, and perfection. Revelation 4:1-11. This is where Christ intercedes for us now. Romans 8:34.
*III. WHY THE BIBLE DOES NOT TEACH "SEVEN HEAVENS"*
*1. Zero Biblical Evidence:*
The phrase "seven heavens" appears zero times in the KJV, Ang Biblia (1905), or any canonical Scripture. If God wanted us to believe in seven heavens, He would have written it. _"All scripture is given by inspiration of God... that the man of God may be perfect"_ - 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Seven heavens is not in Scripture.
*2. Source is Extra-Biblical:*
The "seven heavens" doctrine comes from:
- *Book of Enoch* - A Jewish apocryphal book not accepted in the canon. Jude quotes Enoch once, but that does not make the whole book inspired.
- *Jewish Mysticism/Kabbalah* - Later rabbinic tradition developed levels of heaven.
- *Islamic Tradition* - The Quran mentions seven heavens. Surah 2:29, 65:12.
But we are commanded: _"To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them."_ - Isaiah 8:20
*3. Paul Only Mentions Third Heaven, Not Seventh:*
If there were seven heavens, Paul would have said he was caught up to the "seventh heaven" since that is supposedly the highest. But he said "third heaven." 2 Corinthians 12:2. This proves the third is the highest in biblical counting.
*4. Adding to God's Word is Forbidden:*
_"Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it"_ - Deuteronomy 4:2
_"Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar."_ - Proverbs 30:6
_"If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues"_ - Revelation 22:18
Teaching "seven heavens" when the Bible says "third heaven" is adding to the Word.
*IV. CONCLUSION:*
Therefore, based on the Holy Scriptures, the doctrine of "seven heavens" has no biblical foundation and must be rejected. The Word of God only speaks of *three heavens*:
1. *First Heaven* - The atmospheric sky where birds fly and rain falls. Genesis 1:8, Matthew 6:26
2. *Second Heaven* - Outer space where sun, moon, and stars are. Genesis 1:16-17, Psalm 8:3
3. *Third Heaven* - Paradise, the dwelling place of God, the highest heaven. 2 Corinthians 12:2-4, Hebrews 8:1
The third heaven is the "heaven of heavens" that cannot contain God. 1 Kings 8:27. There is no fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh heaven in the Bible.
We must not go beyond what is written. 1 Corinthians 4:6. We stand on Sola Scriptura: the Bible alone is the rule of faith. If the Bible doesn’t teach it, we don’t bind it as doctrine. 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Isaiah 8:20.
The true Church of God, IGLESIA SANG DIOS, holds only to what is written in the Bible. We are not building our own doctrines, but continuing God's work to preach the truth of salvation through Christ our Builder. Hebrews 3:4.
*ANG DAAN NG DIYOS (ADD) ITANONG SA DIYOS BIBLIA ANG SASAGOT:*
When asked "Is there seven heavens?", the Bible answers: *No. There are three heavens. The first is the sky, the second is outer space, and the third heaven is Paradise where God dwells.*