TEXT:  2 Cor. 12:1-4

INTRODUCTION:

A.      PAUL SPEAKS OF HIMSELF BEING IN THE 3^RD HEAVEN – IMPLIES 3 EXIST.

B.      WE WANT TO SEE WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT ALL THREE.

I.      THE FIRST HEAVEN.

A.      THIS REFERS TO THE “BLUE SKY” – THE VISIBLE ATMOSPHERE.

          1.       45 miles high.

          2.       Above the birds, etc.

B.      Gen. 1:6-7;  Matt. 6:26;  8:20.

II.     THE SECOND HEAVEN.

A.      OUTER SPACE, THE PLACE OF CELESTIAL BODIES – SUN, MOON, STARS.

          ( Psa. 19:1-4;  Gen. 1:16-17 ).

B.      THE NT SPEAKS OF HEAVEN THIS WAY( Matt. 24:29;  2 Pet. 3:10 ).

III.    THE THIRD HEAVEN.

A.      THE HABITATION OF GOD ( 1 Kings 8:30;  Matt. 5:34-35 ).

B.      THE DWELLING PLACE OF CHRIST ( Heb. 4:14;  9:24;  Acts 1:11;  7:58-56 ).

C.      JOHN RELATES HIS VISION OF HEAVEN IN Rev. 21-22.

          1.       21:3-7.  Presence of God – Absence of sorrow, discomfort, even death – water of

                   life – God’s possession.

          2.       21:9-21.  4-square city of gold and jewels … tremendous glory.

          3.       21:22-27.  God in all his glory – the best spiritually of every land – worship –

                   eternal glorification of saints.

          4.       22:1-5.  Abundant, accessible life – no curse – God’s presence – worship –

                   eternal glorification of the saints.

D.      PETER DESCRIBES OUR INHERITANCE ( 1 Pet. 1:3-5 ).

          1.       Incorruptible.

          2.       Undefiled.

          3.       Fadeth not away.

          4.       Reserved in heaven.

E.      OTHER PASSAGES MIGHT BE REFERRED TO:

          1.       A place of joy ( Matt. 25:21, 23;  Psa. 16:11 ).

          2.       A place of rest ( Rev. 14:13 ).

          3.       A place of great reward ( Matt. 5:12 ).

          4.       A permanent dwelling place – a perfect environment ( John 14:1-3 ).

                   a.       Here we are visitors ( 1 Pet. 2:11 ).

                   b.       Our citizenship is there ( Phil. 3:20-21 ).

                   c.       We will be at home with Christ ( 2 Cor. 5:6-8 ).

                   d.       It is a permanent home ( 2 Cor. 5:1 ).

          5.       A glorified existence:

                   a.       We will be like Jesus ( 1 John 3:2;  Phil. 3:20-21 ).

                   b.       Definitely different ( 1 Cor. 15:50-54 ).  Spiritual bodies – changed.

                   c.       A glorious reign ( Col. 3:4;  Rev. 22:5 ).

IV.   SOME QUESTIONS COMMONLY ASKED:

A.      THE QUESTION ASKED OF JESUS ( Matt. 22:23-33 ).

B.      WILL WE KNOW EACH OTHER?

          1.       ( Luke 16:19-31 ).  Know each other in Hades.

          2.       1 Thess. 4:13f.

C.      WILL THERE BE ANY PHYSICAL MANIFESTATION?

          1.       Physical resurrection ( John 5:28-29;  1 Cor. 15;  Matt. 10:28 ).

          2.       No flesh and blood ( 1 Cor. 15:50 ).

          3.       Whatever, we will be changed ( 1 Cor. 15:52 ).

          4.       Neither Paul nor John knew into what ( 1 Cor. 15:51;  1 John 3:2 ).

          5.       Paul’s warning ( 1 Cor. 15:35-38 ).

D.      WHEN? ( Matt. 24:36 ).

E.      HOW CAN I GET THERE?

          1.       Not enough people ask this question.  Perhaps the most important question.

          2.       Matt. 7:21.

CONCLUSION:

A.      EVERY THOUGH AND EFFORT SHOULD BE POINTED TOWARD HEAVEN

          ( Col. 3:1-2 ).

B.      YOU MUST NOT JUST HEAR OR BELIEVE, BUT YOU MUST FOLLOW THE

          TEACHINGS OF JESUS.

C.      THIS BEING DONE, YOUR REWARD IS SURE AND STEDFAST( John 14:1-3 ).