Teaching The Three Heavens: From Warfare To Access Through Christ

[Angelina]

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The Three Heavens in the Bible: From Warfare to Access Through Christ​

Introduction​

The Bible speaks of “heaven” in different ways. Sometimes it refers to the skies above, other times to the unseen spiritual realm, and other times to the very throne of God. Paul gives us the clearest distinction when he writes:

2 Corinthians 12:2

“I know a man in Christ who… was caught up to the third heaven.”

If there is a third heaven, then there must also be a first and a second. Scripture reveals these three realms, and when we understand them, we can better grasp creation, spiritual warfare, and our access to God in prayer through Jesus Christ.

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1. The First Heaven: The Visible Sky, Sun, Moon, and Stars
The first heaven is the visible expanse above us—the natural sky that we see every day. It includes the air we breathe, the clouds, the weather, the birds of the air, and the celestial lights God placed in the heavens: the sun, moon, and stars.

Scriptural Evidence​

• Genesis 1:14–18. God made the sun, moon, and stars to mark times and seasons and to give light on the earth.
  
  
• Genesis 1:20. “Let birds fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens.”
  
  
• Deuteronomy 11:11. “A land… drinks water from the rain of heaven.”
  
  
• Psalm 8:3–4. “When I consider Your heavens, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him?”
  
  
• Psalm 19:1. “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.”
  
  
• Jeremiah 31:35. “The LORD gives the sun for light by day, the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night…”

Key Emphasis​

The first heaven testifies of God’s majesty and faithfulness:

• Birds of the air remind us of His care (Matthew 6:26).
  
  
• Clouds and rain demonstrate His provision.
  
  
• The sun sustains life and marks time.
  
  
• The moon and stars show His order and greatness.

When we look up, creation itself preaches a message of God’s glory.

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2. The Second Heaven: The Realm of Spiritual Warfare

Beyond the atmosphere lies the second heaven: the celestial expanse of stars and planets, but also the unseen spiritual realm where angels and demons contend. This realm is the battleground of spiritual warfare. It explains why prayer sometimes faces resistance and why there are unseen forces working behind the scenes of nations and people’s lives.

Scriptural Evidence​

• Daniel 10:12–13 – Daniel’s prayer was delayed 21 days by the “prince of Persia” until Michael the archangel fought through.
  
  
• Ephesians 6:12 – “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities… against spiritual wickedness in heavenly places.”
  
  
• Job 1:6–7 – Satan appeared before God to accuse Job, showing his activity in the heavenly realm.
  
  
• Revelation 12:7–9 – Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and Satan was cast down.

Key Emphasis​

The second heaven is where:

• Satan opposes God’s purposes.
  
  
• Demonic powers attempt to influence nations and hinder prayers.
  
  
• Angelic hosts contend for God’s will to break through.

But the believer stands on Christ’s victory: Colossians 2:15. “Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”

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3. The Third Heaven: The Throne of God
The third heaven is the highest heaven, the very dwelling place of God. It is beyond all created realms, untouched by sin, where His throne is established forever.

Scriptural Evidence​

• 2 Corinthians 12:2–4. Paul was caught up to the third heaven, into paradise, hearing inexpressible things.
  
  
• Psalm 11:4. “The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD’s throne is in heaven.”
  
  
• Revelation 4:1–2: John saw the throne in heaven, with the One seated on it.
  
  
• Hebrews 7:25. Christ intercedes for us at the Father’s right hand.

This is the heaven believers long for, the eternal home of the saints, where we will see God face-to-face. Jesus Himself promised this in John 14:2–3:

“In My Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

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The Tearing of the Veil: From Earth to Heaven’s Throne

When Jesus died, something extraordinary happened. Matthew 27:51

“At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.”

The veil had separated the Most Holy Place (a picture of the third heaven, God’s throne) from the people. Only the high priest could enter once a year, with blood.

Through His death, Jesus opened the way for all believers. Hebrews 10:19–20

“Since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, His body…”

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How the Veil Connects the Heavens​

• Our prayers no longer stop in the first heaven (natural sky).
• They press through the second heaven (spiritual resistance).
  
  
• By Christ’s blood, they ascend straight into the third heaven, the throne of God.

The torn veil guarantees our access to the Father, no matter the resistance.

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Biblical Examples of Heavenly Encounters

God has, at times, given His people glimpses into heavenly realms:

• Stephen (Acts 7:55–56). “Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.”
  
  
• John (Revelation 4:1–2). John was caught up and saw a door standing open in heaven and the throne of God.
  
  
• Paul (2 Corinthians 12:2–4). Paul was caught up to the third heaven, into paradise.
  
  
• Philip (Acts 8:39–40). After baptizing the Ethiopian, “the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away,” transporting him supernaturally.

These accounts show us that the heavens are not abstract ideas—they are real realms where God acts, reveals, and empowers His people.

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How This Applies To Prayer:

• In the first heaven, creation reminds us of God’s care and provision.
  
  
• In the second heaven, we persevere in prayer, knowing opposition exists but Christ has overcome.
  
  
• In the third heaven, we approach boldly, seated with Christ in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6).

Our prayers rise through the heavens, empowered by Christ’s victory, and reach the very throne of God, where answers are released back to us without hindrance.

Conclusion:
The first heaven reveals God’s glory in creation.
The second heaven exposes the battle between light and darkness.
The third heaven is where God reigns in majesty.

Because the veil is torn, we can pray and live with confidence: our access to God’s throne is unhindered, and we share in the victory of Christ.

Angelina 22/08/2025

 

[lforrest]

In Revelation 12, Isaiah 14, and Luke 10:18 we see the fall of Satan from heaven described. So are they describing the same event? Satan being cast out of the third heaven to the earth where there is also the second heaven outside of normal perception?

In a way the third heaven is nearer to us than the second heaven as the kingdom of heaven is in our hearts. And the second heaven is all around us, but it is nearer than the first heaven which is above the sky..

 

[Angelina]

Sorry, @lforrest. I didn't realize you were asking questions there.

In Revelation 12, Isaiah 14, and Luke 10:18 we see the fall of Satan from heaven described. So are they describing the same event? Satan being cast out of the third heaven to the earth where there is also the second heaven outside of normal perception?

In the book of Job (Job 1:6-7), Satan (the accuser of the Brethren) still had access to the third heaven but had to stand accountable before the lord along with all the other angels.

As far as I understand, The original fall of Satan is found in Isaiah 14 / Ezekiel 28 which many scholars, Jewish/Christian, interpret as a double-layered prophecy. IE: The King Of Babylon, the power of Satan. Isaiah 14 is usually seen as Satan's initial rebellion and expulsion from the third heaven. This may indicate that he was working in the second heaven from that time onward.

In Luke 10 Christ’s ministry begins and in this passage he gives authority to the 70, sending them out in twos. The verse says: 17 The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” 18 He said to them, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like [a flash of] lightning. 19 Listen carefully: I have given you authority [that you now possess] to tread on serpents and scorpions and [the ability to exercise authority] over all the power of the enemy (Satan); and nothing will [in any way] harm you. In this passage, his authority has been taken away from him and given to the saints of God. Jesus hadn't died on the cross yet but his disciples still had the authority over the enemy and they had not experienced pentecost yet; however, Jesus gave them this authority. I believe Satan still had access to the second heaven at this time.

In Revelation 12, Satan was cast out from heaven onto the earth, which may mean he got cast out of the second heaven onto the earth.
Revelation 12:7 Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.”