"all things"

[reneweddaybyday]

To me, the term 'third heaven' is not talking about there being 3 heavens. There is a popular theory, which I consider to be simply man's thinking (rather than Bible truth), about there being 3 heavens.

I think there's a popular theory about "seventh heaven" ... for which there is no Scriptural basis.

However, I see the term 'third' in the Bible as being a parable word describing the true believers. For example, we read: "And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. " Again, we read: "And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God. " So, we see that the term 'third' is talking about those who are in Christ and saved. We could say then, that the term 'third heaven' is a way of saying 'the true believers' heaven'. In short, it simply means heaven.

An interesting thing to note is that the number 3 is identified with the cross in many ways in the Bible. How are the true believers even created to be a part of heaven? Christ through the cross.

Paul indicated the revelation of the third heaven had taken place 14 years prior. For 14 years Paul never said a word and even when Paul did discuss it, he only revealed that he had been caught up, saw things, heard things ... that's it ... that's all Paul tells us.

I think of the third heaven as the new heaven and new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness ... a future everlasting reality which God graciously allowed Paul to see and hear things about which Paul was not permitted to speak.

Here's how I see it ...

First:

2 Peter 3:5-6 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished​

Second:

2 Peter 3:7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.​

Second passing away:

2 Peter 3:10-12 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?​

Third :

2 Peter 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.​

.

 

[birdie]

I think there's a popular theory about "seventh heaven" ... for which there is no Scriptural basis.





Paul indicated the revelation of the third heaven had taken place 14 years prior. For 14 years Paul never said a word and even when Paul did discuss it, he only revealed that he had been caught up, saw things, heard things ... that's it ... that's all Paul tells us.

I think of the third heaven as the new heaven and new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness ... a future everlasting reality which God graciously allowed Paul to see and hear things about which Paul was not permitted to speak.

Here's how I see it ...

First:

2 Peter 3:5-6 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished​

Second:

2 Peter 3:7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.​

Second passing away:

2 Peter 3:10-12 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?​

Third :

2 Peter 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.​

.

Thanks
reneweddaybyday
for your interesting comments.
We are in agreement that the New Heavens in 2 Peter 3:13 is the 'third heaven' that Paul speaks of. We got there with different reasoning, but I enjoyed the scriptures you gave and will take a look at them.
Best wishes,
birdie