This may get a bit deep for some,for the Spiritual realm is not easy to explain to many who have no concept of it. Most think of heaven and hell as being one certain place, that there are no areas other then that. Paul experienced a different realm of heaven, the Bible calls it the third heaven.( 2Cor 12:2) this 3rd heaven I have been to as well in my life,at least I describe it the same as my brother Paul.
Paradise a place located in between heaven and hell.I describe this place as being among both sides,Angels and demons. It was when I saw it a barren land,the gates of heaven could be seen on my right side,and on my left side a very errie dark smoked area with lighting coming from it,a very sorry smell can be detected as well coming from it. Paul did not talk much about the third heaven he was at,I cannot tell you why this is,but since I believe with all of my heart that I myself have visted this third heaven myself,I can only tell you what I saw.
From what little knowledge I myself have obtained, I share with you what I was both told and had happen to me,you of course can judge for yourself how truthful this is, but I do not lie. The realms of hell are these. 1. Hell itself, the heart of a most terrible place,there is a guardian there presently named Abaddon.( rev 9:11) The angel of the bottomless pit.
Hid job is to prepare all the unbelievers for what is to come there,since i am most thankful I have never visited this place,i cannot tell you what goes on there! Personally I do not wish to know either! The second realm of hell is outer darkness,this place i have seen, for it lies in Paradise commonly know as the abode of the dead,where Jesus himself preached to Moses and David etc.. and brought them the good news of himself and took them all with him to heaven.
Talked about briefly in eph4:8-10 notice something in verse 10 here? Ascended above the heavens! Clearly to me refering to a higher realm of heaven itself. ( psalms 68:18 as well.) Where Jesus also DISARMED the rulers and authorities!!! (Col 2:15) the same rulers and authorities we his children now have no fear of because of our armor!!( eph 6:12!!) We only struggle without the armor on!
Remember when Jesus told the thief on the cross," today thou shalt be with me in Paradise" It is here I believe I can speak about. Among the many souls about me none touched me, the eyes of many gathered about me though, and I was aware of all of them. It is not a waiting room,but rather a place that Jesus can take many to witness something he wants them to personally know, either about themselves, or even better about him! There is a smoked filled door,it is this door where Jesus himself opens to those who follow matt 7:7-8 Ask,seek,and from this knock! Sometimes as was my case the door is opened by Jesus to direct your path into his ways, and into his thinking.
Moses had the door of the Lord opened for him as well.( Psalm 103:7) as many others did. As I was standing in this realm i saw the gates of heaven to my right open,from the gates a man dressed in white with a great crown upon his head moved, he was not walking more like flowing, his feet just above where he was walking,as if he was walking upon water. I went to my knees at this point bowing in honor of who was walking. My head was looking though,i could not take my eyes off of Jesus as he did not look towards me,but sure knew of my presence.
I somehow knew he knew even though our eyes never met. There was a great smoke coming towards me as well from my left side,lighting was around this dark and evil presence,the smell brothers and sister was so bad i covered my mouth! Jesus walked towards the darkness and waved his hand over it,now the fragrance was as if clean sheets blowing in the wind on a line on a summers day outside. It had a most sweet smell!( 2 cor 2:14-15) Then with head now bowed and flat faced,my flesh knew Jesus was coming towards me. I could not in my mind look up at him,for his presence was so full and grand my flesh could not do anything else but be on its face. Then these words." Go home to your people and tell them what great things the Lord has done for thee and has had compassion on thee!"( mark 5:19) And I came back into my body, to do just that brothers and sisters. may this both encourage you own walk in Christ Jesus,may you all become what Jesus sure did to me that day!!( 2 cor 5:17-21!!) We all in Christ Jesus have this ministry! But before we encourage others to become reconciled to God, we must first become this way!! amen!