The early church fathers, many of whom were taught directly by the Apostles, spoke of three heavens. The atmosphere where birds fly, was the considered the first heaven. The space where the stars reside, was regarded as the second heaven, and God's abode was deemed the third heaven.
The concept, also found in the ancient Mesopotamian beliefs, can be found in Judaism and Islam; the Bible does not mention seven levels of heaven, it mentions three; a similar concept is also found in some other religions such as Hinduism.
In fact, Deuteronomy 10:14 refers to all three in one verse: “Behold, to the Lord your God belong Heaven (#2) and the Heaven of Heavens (#3), the earth and all that is in it (#1).” During our time on earth, we dwell in the first two heavens.
The origin of the term seventh heaven, is used figuratively since the early 1800s, this term alludes to the dwelling place of God in highest of the seven concentric spheres that surround the earth in the system recognized by both Muslims and ancient Jews.
Though Jesus acknowledged that an after-death heaven existed, Jesus devoted his preaching to a Kingdom of Heaven that He said was here and now, near, “at hand” (Mark 1:15). The principal message that Jesus brought to us was the Gospel or “Good News” of the Kingdom of Heaven. That anyone on Earth can have the Kingdom of Heaven and salvation, if they will allow God to save them from the condemnation that sin placed on us, and can be forgiven through Jesus. It only takes one prayer.
John 14:6 Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through Me.” John 3:5. Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God, unless they receive Jesus as their Savior.” We can't get to heaven by works, because God doesn't pick favorites. He turns away no one that comes to him to be saved.
Paul also makes reference to the third heaven in 2Corinthians 12:2 - "I know a man in Christ, who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven."
In Heaven, with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, is where I want to spend eternity! But I don't want to go alone! Lord help me bring all of my loved ones too! So help me God!
