Meaning of Third Heaven | Babel Free

Definitions

The abode of God, in some Abrahamic religions.

Examples

“Yet after all that is here, or elſewhere ſaid ; for the ſcriptures greatly abound with the moſt grand, lofty, and ſublime metaphors, when the writers thereof would convey into our minds, ſome idea of that raviſhing delight, and happineſs to be enjoyed, with the amazing excellence and glory of the future ſtate, which a merciful and gracious God hath in reſerve for the righteous : Yet, I ſay, we find⟳ it is but a very imperfect deſcription, or faint reſemblance of what it really is : for the great apoſtle St. Paul, who had been caught up into Paradiſe, or the third heaven ; where he heard ſuch unſpeakable words, that the powers and faculties of which he was poſſeſſed, were not capable of uttering, or conveying them to the mind⟳ of others; he aſſures us, that eye hath not ſeen, nor ear heard, neither have⟳ entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love⟳ him: ſo that at beſt we ſee but in part, as it were thro' a glaſs darkly ; and we know⟳ but in part, for the apoſtles could propheſy, or teach⟳ but in part; but when that which is perfect is come⟳, then that which is in part ſhall be done away.”

“So John is caught up to the third heaven; he sees the throne with the Lord on it, and it is surrounded by twenty-four elders on thrones, and four beasts (cherubims) around the throne; it’s a wild scene. But, it is so; the problem, of course, is to believe⟳ it, and receive⟳ it. Before going on and finishing Revelation 4, we should understand⟳ that John was "caught up" to a real, literal place⟳ in the universe, and that place⟳ is up there now. The scripture has much to say⟳ about this “dwelling place⟳” of God, its location, distance, size, nature, and inhabitants, and it is very clearly defined. Since the revelation on this place⟳ is far in advance over the latest scientific findings of Cape Kennedy, or Redstone Arsenal at Huntsville, let⟳ us study⟳ the verses which relate⟳ to it; it is the abode of “God the Father” in the third heaven, on the throne, above the sea of glass northward.”

“"Send⟳ us a revival, Lord," he said, quoting another evangelist, John Wesley. "Defects and all." The train⟳ conductor from Mobile, Mr. Busby, sinks into a pew. He is asked if he got what he came for, and he just nods his head. Here he feels as if he stands "in the third heaven, the holy holy," he said.”

“The third heaven represents the presence of God. This is where all Christians immediately go when they die⟳. (We will discuss⟳ this in detail in chapter 4.) It is sometimes called Paradise—the place⟳ where Jesus assured the thief on the cross he would go the moment he died. At some point⟳ in his life, Paul was caught up into this third heaven, where he heard “inexpressible words” (2 Cor. 12:4). When most Christians speak⟳ of heaven this is the heaven they mean⟳—the one that is “up.” This is the “present⟳ heaven” I referred to in the last⟳ section.”

“During his sermon Merritt drew from the scriptural passage at 2 Cor. 12:7-10. His theme was “What is Your Problem?” Merritt explained that the “third heaven” was where God lived and it was where one ascends to if one receives immortality. Yet, he contended, some have⟳ problems that may prevent⟳ this.”

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