Scripture, as Les Feldick explains, presents three distinct realms called heaven: the atmospheric heaven where birds fly, the second heaven of space, and the third heaven, which is the very abode of God.
Les Feldick teaches that Scripture uses the word 'heaven' in three areas. The first heaven is the atmosphere around us, the second heaven is the realm of the stars and planets, and the third heaven is God's dwelling place. Paul was caught up to this third heaven, as recorded in 2 Corinthians 12.
2 Corinthians 12:2 — This is the key verse that explicitly mentions a 'third heaven,' showing there is more than one heavenly realm.
Revelation 19:17 — This verse speaks of birds flying in the midst of heaven, identifying the first heaven as the atmosphere.
Genesis 1:7 — This verse describes the firmament, which Les identifies as the atmospheric heaven, dividing the waters above from the waters below.
Scripture uses the word 'heaven' for more than one realm. In 2 Corinthians 12:2, Paul refers to being 'caught up to the third heaven,' revealing that there is a third, distinct heavenly sphere. Revelation 19:17 speaks of 'the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven,' showing that the atmospheric sky is also called heaven. Genesis 1:7 records that God made the firmament and divided the waters under it from the waters above it, establishing the atmosphere as a distinct part of His creation.
Les Feldick explains that Scripture has three areas called heaven. The first heaven is the atmosphere around us, the air where birds fly. The second heaven is the area of what we call space—the region of the moon, the stars, and the planets. The third heaven is the very abode of God, the 'heaven of the heavens.' He points to 2 Corinthians 12, where Paul was caught up into paradise in the third heaven and heard unspeakable words that he was not permitted to utter. Les also clarifies that when Scripture mentions 'fowls that fly in the midst of heaven,' it is referring to birds in our atmosphere, not birds in God's throne room.
The first heaven is the atmosphere, the area around us where birds fly. Les Feldick points to Scripture's expression 'the fowls of heaven' and explains that this refers to birds in the air around us, not in God's throne room. This is also connected to the firmament, the atmosphere that God made in Genesis 1, dividing the waters above from the waters below.
The second heaven is the area of what we call space. Les Feldick identifies it as the region of the moon, the stars, and what have you. This is distinct from the atmospheric heaven around the earth and from the third heaven, which is God's abode.
The third heaven is the very abode of God—the heaven of the heavens. In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul describes a man caught up into paradise in the third heaven, where he heard unspeakable words that it was not lawful for a man to utter. Les Feldick emphasizes that this is the highest heaven, the place where God Himself dwells.
Genesis 1:26 Explained: The Trinity & The Creation of Man
able to take the time to find a Bible, pick up a pen and pencil, and do as our class people do. Just make some notes and study these things with us, because the only reason we teach is that people might understand what the Bible says, how it says it, and make it clear. So if you'll turn with me now then to Genesis chapter 1, and let's just come right down to verse 6.
Paul's Third Heaven Experience
Les explains that Scripture has three areas called heaven and that in 2 Corinthians 12 Paul was caught up into the third heaven—the very abode of God—where he heard unspeakable words.
Third Heaven and Birds in Heaven
Les reiterates that the third heaven is the abode of God, while the 'fowls that fly in the midst of heaven' are simply birds in our atmosphere, not creatures in God's throne room.
Three Heavens Defined
Les explicitly defines the three heavens: the first is the atmosphere where birds fly, the second is the area of space containing the moon and stars, and the third is mentioned by Paul in 2 Corinthians.
The Firmament as the First Heaven
Les teaches that in Genesis 1 the firmament is the atmosphere, the air around us, which God made to divide the waters above from the waters below.
Daniel's Four Beasts and the Revived Roman Empire Explained
Heaven is going to be a place of intense activity. We're going to be so busy. Now, you know, idle mind is the devil's workshop, so God's not going to have anything to do with idleness. We're going to be busy. We're going to have tremendous activity, and it's going to be glorious beyond our comprehension. Never lose sight of that.
Who Really Created the Universe? (Genesis 1:1 Explained)
But for here, as God, the triune God, spoke the Word, and out of nothing He created everything, the heavens as well as the earth. Now I think it's rather interesting that way back here in the very first verse of Genesis before the nation of Israel has even been hinted at, before we have any idea of the call of this one man, Abraham.
What Happens When Satan Is Cast Out of Heaven?
And the third part of the moon saw the third part of the stars, and the third part of them, and so on and so forth. And the day shone not for a third part, and the light likewise. And I beheld and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabitants of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three, which are yet to sou…
2 Corinthians 12:2: 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.
This is the key verse proving there is a third heaven distinct from the sky and space.
Revelation 19:17: And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;
The 'midst of heaven' here refers to the atmospheric heaven where birds fly.
Genesis 1:7: And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.
The firmament is the atmosphere, the first heaven formed as part of God's creation.
Les Feldick teaches that Scripture speaks of three heavens. The first is the atmosphere where birds fly, the second is the area of space containing the moon and stars, and the third is the very abode of God. The third heaven is explicitly mentioned in 2 Corinthians 12:2.
The third heaven is the very abode of God, the heaven of the heavens. Paul was caught up into this third heaven, which is also called paradise, and he heard unspeakable words that he was not permitted to utter.
No. When Scripture speaks of fowls flying in the midst of heaven, it is referring to birds in the atmospheric heaven around us. Les Feldick clarifies that this has nothing to do with God's throne room or the third heaven.
Watch the Teaching: Genesis 1:26 Explained: The Trinity & The Creation of Man