The Third Heaven is the term Paul uses for the highest heaven, the dwelling place of God, to which he was caught up in a visionary experience.
In 2 Corinthians 12 he describes being caught up to the third heaven, which he also calls Paradise, and hearing things that cannot be told.
The expression reflects an ancient way of speaking about the heavens and points to the immediate presence of God beyond the visible sky and the cosmic heavens.
It is a place of glory, revelation, and blessing, distinct from the atmospheric and stellar heavens.
When Paul defended his apostleship, he reluctantly spoke of visions and revelations of the Lord. He recounts being caught up to the third heaven — whether in the body or out of the body he did not know — and equates this experience with being caught up into Paradise. There he heard inexpressible things that a person is not permitted to speak. By using the term “third heaven,” Paul draws on a familiar framework in which the first heaven is the sky where birds fly, the second is the realm of the sun, moon, and stars, and the third is the dwelling place of God Himself. Scripture consistently presents heaven as God’s throne and the place of His immediate presence. The third heaven is therefore not a different location from the heaven of God’s throne, but a way of emphasizing its supremacy and holiness. Paul’s experience confirms both the reality of this realm and the fact that God may grant temporary glimpses of it according to His purpose.
- The third heaven is the dwelling place of God, beyond the atmospheric and stellar heavens.
- Paul equates being caught up to the third heaven with being caught up into Paradise.
- The experience was so profound that Paul could not determine whether it was in the body or out of the body.
- What he heard was inexpressible and not lawful for a man to speak.
- The language of “third heaven” reflects a common ancient understanding of layered heavens, with the highest being God’s abode.
- Scripture elsewhere speaks of heaven as God’s throne and the place where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
- The reality of the third heaven assures believers that the presence of God is a real place of glory and blessing.
- Highest Heaven – The realm of God’s immediate presence, above the sky and the heavenly bodies.
- Identified with Paradise – Paul uses the two terms for the same experience and place.
- Place of Revelation – A setting where Paul heard things beyond human permission to repeat.
- Beyond Normal Experience – Whether in the body or apart from the body was unknown even to Paul.
- Consistent with Broader Teaching – Aligns with the biblical picture of heaven as God’s throne and the destination of the redeemed.
- Temporary Access – Paul was “caught up” for a revelation; permanent dwelling there awaits the resurrection and the new creation.
- Encouragement to Faith – Confirms that the unseen realm of God’s presence is real and glorious.
- 2 Corinthians 12:2-4 – “I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter.”
- Deuteronomy 10:14 – “Behold, to the Lord your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it.”
- 1 Kings 8:27 – “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built!”
- Psalm 11:4 – “The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven…”
- Psalm 115:16 – “The heavens are the Lord’s heavens, but the earth he has given to the children of man.”
- Isaiah 66:1 – “Thus says the Lord: ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool…’”
- Matthew 6:9 – “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.”
- 2 Corinthians 5:8 – “Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.”
- Philippians 1:23 – “My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.”
- Hebrews 4:14 – “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God…”
- Hebrews 9:24 – “For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.”
- Revelation 4:1-2 – John is shown a door standing open in heaven and sees the throne of God.
- Luke 23:43 – “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (linking Paradise with the presence of Christ)
The third heaven is the highest heaven — the true dwelling place of God. Paul was caught up there and heard what could not be repeated, then returned to continue his ministry with a thorn in the flesh to keep him humble. His brief glimpse confirms what the rest of Scripture teaches: there is a real realm of God’s presence beyond what eyes can see, a Paradise where Christ is, and a glory that will one day be the permanent home of all who belong to Him. For now we walk by faith, not by sight. Yet the third heaven is not a distant myth; it is the throne room of the living God, the present home of the ascended Christ, and the destination of every believer who departs to be with the Lord. Set your mind on things above. The best is yet to come.
Entry compiled for the JESUSaves.com Bible Glossary. Optimized for wiki.js Visual Editor.