Yes, Scripture reveals three distinct heavens, explained by Les Feldick as the atmosphere, space, and the abode of God.
Les teaches that the first heaven is the atmosphere where birds fly, the second is the area we call space containing stars and planets, and the third is where God dwells, often called paradise. He bases this on references like Genesis 1:8 and 2 Corinthians 12:2-4.
2 Corinthians 12:2-4 — Paul mentions being caught up to the third heaven, which aligns with the third heaven as God's abode.
The Bible uses the term 'heaven' to refer to different realms. In Genesis 1:8, God called the firmament 'Heaven' (KJV), which is the atmospheric expanse. Genesis 7:23 speaks of 'the fowl of the heaven,' indicating birds in the atmosphere. Psalm 8:3 mentions the 'heavens' as the work of God's fingers, the moon and stars, which are in the second heaven. 2 Corinthians 12:2-4 records Paul's experience of being caught up to the third heaven, which he equates with paradise.
Les explains that Scripture mentions three heavens: the first is the atmosphere where birds fly (e.g., Genesis 1:20, 7:23), the second is outer space containing stars and planets (e.g., Genesis 1:14-17), and the third is the very abode of God, also called paradise (2 Corinthians 12:2-4). He emphasizes that Paul's vision of the third heaven was a real experience, though Paul was not permitted to share the words he heard.
Les teaches that the first heaven is the atmosphere, the air around us, where birds fly. He cites Genesis 7:23, which mentions 'the fowl of the heaven,' and Genesis 1:20, where birds fly 'in the open firmament of heaven' (Clip 1, 2).
Les describes the second heaven as the area we call space, where the moon, stars, and planets exist. He bases this on the creation account where God made the stars and set them in the firmament (Genesis 1:14-17).
Les teaches that the third heaven is the abode of God, also called paradise. He points to Paul's experience in 2 Corinthians 12:2-4, where Paul was caught up to the third heaven and heard unspeakable words.
Introduction to 2 Corinthians 12
Les introduces 2 Corinthians 12 as his starting point for discussing Paul's vision, setting the context for the third heaven.
Three Heavens Defined
Les explicitly lists the three heavens: atmosphere (birds), space (stars), and the third as heaven proper, quoting Genesis 7:23.
First and Second Heaven from Creation
Les explains the first heaven as the atmosphere from Genesis 1:8 and the second as space from the same context.
Third Heaven as God's Abode
Les connects the third heaven to paradise in Paul's vision, emphasizing it as the abode of God.
Three Heavens in Revelation
Les again reviews the three heavens, citing the 'fowls that fly in the midst of heaven' as the first heaven.
Heaven in Revelation
This clip references an angel flying 'in the midst of heaven,' reinforcing the concept of the first heaven.
Birds of the First Heaven
Les notes birds flying in the firmament of heaven, illustrating the first heaven from Genesis 1:20.
Firmament as Atmosphere
Les explains the firmament as the atmosphere from Genesis 1, which is the first heaven.
Genesis 1:8: And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.
This verse identifies the firmament (atmosphere) as 'Heaven,' the first heaven.
Genesis 1:20: And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.
Birds fly in the firmament of heaven, confirming the first heaven as the atmosphere.
Genesis 7:23: And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark.
The phrase 'fowl of the heaven' indicates birds in the first heaven.
2 Corinthians 12:2-4: 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. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
This passage directly names the third heaven and equates it with paradise.
Yes, Les teaches that the third heaven is paradise, the abode of God, based on Paul's account in 2 Corinthians 12:2-4 where he is caught up to the third heaven and calls it paradise.
Les explains that the firmament is the atmosphere, the air around us, which God called Heaven in Genesis 1:8. This is the first heaven.
Watch the Teaching: What Happened to Paradise After the Cross? (2 Corinthians 12)