Talk:Third Heaven

First and Second Heaven

Would it be useful for there to be a section on First Heaven and Second Heaven, and the identification of these with the atmosphere and outer space, respectively?

Pederia (talk) 05:44, 14 February 2014 (UTC)

Vidblain

Wikisource:Prose Edda/Gylfaginning

Then said Ganglere: Who guards this palace when Surt's fire burns up heaven and earth? Har answered: It is said that to the south and above this heaven is another heaven, which is called Andlang. But there is a third, which is above these, and is called Vidblain, and in this heaven we believe this mansion (Gimle) to be situated; but we deem that the light-elves alone dwell in it now.

Three Heaven and Earths that pass with time rather than position

Alternately to the heavens being viewed vertically, in space, there is arguable biblical evidence for the heavens (and earth) to be viewed chronologically and for these heavens (and earth) to pass away in time, thus moving from one heaven to another in time rather than space.

2 Peter 3 describes the passing the first heaven and earth:

 5 For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was 
   formed out of water and through water by the word of God, 
 6 and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. 
 7 But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept 
   until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.

According to this, the flood of Noah ended the first heaven and earth. We are currently living in the second heaven and earth.

 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, 
    and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done 
    on it will be exposed.
 11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of 
    holiness and godliness, 
 12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be 
    set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! 
 13 But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which 
    righteousness dwells.

When the "day of the Lord" comes, this second heaven and earth will pass. This will bring the third heaven and earth. This is where the Apostle Paul was "caught away" to in 2 Cor 12. He saw a vision of the Kingdom of God in it's full reality. That vision was so remarkable that he declares in 2 Cor 12:7

 7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, 
   a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from 
   becoming conceited.

So, there has already been one iteration of 'heaven and earth' and it passed away with Noah's flood. The second heaven and earth is what we live in now. And the third heaven, as well as the third earth, will come with 'the day of the Lord', when the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements melt. (See also Isa 34:4; Isa 51:6; Micah 1:4; Matt 24:35; Isa 13:13)

 Revelation 21:1
   And I saw new Heavens and a new Earth, for the former Heavens and the former Earth had departed, and the Sea was no more.
   (Aramaic Bible in Plain English)

Brikimg (talk) 05:06, 31 October 2017 (UTC) <ref>http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Promises/The_Third_Heaven_And_Earth.htm/ref>

References

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