What is the third heaven according to Paul in 2 Corinthians 12?
Paul identifies the third heaven as paradise in 2 Corinthians 12. The context distinguishes it from the first heaven, the atmosphere where birds fly, and the second heaven, the realm of the sun, moon, and stars. It is the place the man in Christ was caught up to.
Les explains that 2 Corinthians 12:2 describes Paul knowing a man in Christ—a true born-again believer—about or above fourteen years earlier, whether in the body or out of the body he could not tell, but God knows, and such a one was caught up to the third heaven. Les then lays out the scriptural sequence: the first heaven is the area where birds fly, or the atmosphere; the second heaven is the area of the stars, or space, supported by Deuteronomy 4:19b, which speaks of the sun, moon, stars, and all the host of heaven. That second heaven is not the birds' area and certainly not the abode of God. Returning to II Corinthians, Les says Paul will delineate the third heaven as being paradise.
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.
More Questions
When did Paul's vision of the third heaven in 2 Corinthians 12 happen?
The event Paul describes in 2 Corinthians 12:2 about a man caught up to the third heaven about fourteen years earlier probably refers back to the time recorded in Acts chapter 14.
What event in Acts is Paul probably referring to when he talks about being caught up to the third heaven?
The experience Paul describes in 2 Corinthians 12 about a man in Christ caught up to the third heaven is probably referring to the time of Acts chapter 14, during his first missionary journey.
When did Paul have his vision of being caught up to the third heaven?
Paul's being caught up to the third heaven (2 Corinthians 12) happened at the time he was stoned at Derbe and dragged out for dead, because that occasion fits chronologically.