The Third Heaven - Taken into the Future

[marks]

For me it stands written--The just shall live by faith and that is good enough for me.

That's all that matters. And anything we think we may experience, and any opinions we form based on are perceptions of ourselves, had better be formed according to the Scriptures.

Much love!

 

[Johann]

I take them the same way I take any man's writings, his own thoughts. But the "ECF's", they aren't the church fathers, Jesus is the foundation, then the Apostles, then all the rest of the church. And the ECF writings are a "curated collection" meaning, we have no assurance that they were truly representative of the early church views. These represent such as were copied and maintained. I'm not saying they are, or are not, only, that I don't know.

What I've read of them show me they were as all over the map as people are today. But to be sure, I've only read a small portion.

Much love!

Understanding the Term "Curated Collection"
Selection Bias:

The term "curated collection" implies that the writings we have from the ECF are not exhaustive or randomly selected but rather curated or selected based on certain criteria. This can introduce a potential bias in terms of which writings were preserved and handed down through history.
Representativeness:

While the ECF writings do provide valuable insights into early Christian thought and practices, they may not fully represent the diversity of opinions and beliefs that existed within the early church. Some writings might have been preserved more due to their popularity, authorship (e.g., writings attributed to prominent figures like Augustine, Jerome, or Ignatius), or theological alignment with later established orthodoxies.
Historical Context:

The preservation and transmission of ECF writings were influenced by historical circumstances, theological controversies, and ecclesiastical considerations. As a result, some writings might have been lost or intentionally excluded, affecting our understanding of the full spectrum of early Christian thought.
Assurance of Representativeness
Scholarly Approach:

Scholars of early Christianity use critical methods to assess the authenticity and representativeness of ECF writings. They examine multiple sources, compare texts, and consider historical contexts to reconstruct a more comprehensive picture of early Christian beliefs.
Diversity of Views:

Despite potential biases in preservation, ECF writings still reflect a wide range of theological viewpoints, debates, and practices prevalent in the early church. This diversity helps scholars understand the complexity and development of Christian thought over the centuries.
Conclusion
While the term "curated collection" suggests a level of selectivity in the preservation and transmission of ECF writings, it does not negate their importance or reliability as sources for understanding early Christian beliefs. Scholars continue to study these texts critically, acknowledging both their insights and their limitations in fully representing the entirety of early Christian thought and practice. Therefore, while we rely on ECF writings for understanding the early church, we do so with awareness of the curated nature of the collection and the need for careful interpretation within historical and theological contexts.

Sounds like the Quran, a collection of scattered writings--and Joseph Smith.
Truth be told, I am amazed what I read on this forum brother and if I had a son or daughter I wouldn't allowed them to join these forums.

God bless.
J.

 

[marks]

Sorry @Hepzibah-sister-after reading the Early Church Fathers (ECF) and their writings on "deification," I would rather put the concept of Theosis to rest. The world has gone mad seeking experiences, signs, miracles, and wonders, while sound biblical teaching has become a rare commodity. As Jesus warned, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah" (Matthew 16:4). Paul also emphasized the importance of sound doctrine, stating, "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables" (2 Timothy 4:3-4).

Shalom
J.

I think this simply describes the maturation of the child of God. Some become very mature, very consistent in their faith. I think God gives a boost to some, maybe for the rest of their lives, maybe for a time, each for a reason particular to that person. I think I needed to see it so that I'd have the strength to hang on. Maybe the person who doesn't share the experience didn't need to, and is maturing just fine. That is what I think is happening.

Experiences are not to be sought after, rather, the growth of love in one's heart for others, manifested by our caring for their needs, both material and spiritual.

Who cares what experiences you think you've had if you haven't got love?

I look at the experience of sanctification that I had - I cannot say whether I sinned or not - and I've tried to understand it in various ways. That's what caught my attention when I first heard about "Theosis", that seemed to best describe what happened.

But if I go with the Word, this began when I read the words in Psalm 129, "He has cut the bands of the wicked", and the darkness fell away. If I take this at face value, it means God cancelled the effect that wicked people had on me, as the Psalm says, "from my youth".

I can see it a lot of different ways. What I see in Scripture is a maturing process as we put off and put on, as we work out what He works in, as we cleanse ourselves from the the wrong things to be vessels of honor, as we purify ourselves in our hope of the resurrection, and becoming fully conformed to Jesus.

Paul seems to me to say that even He had not reached the fullness of this. That Jesus will be working in us all our lives. That we cannot even actually know whether or not we've "ceased from sin" entirely.

I noticed a post that you were leaving the thread. I hope you do not. I need your input too much for that. Call me selfish if you must.

Much love!

 

[Johann]

I think this simply describes the maturation of the child of God. Some become very mature, very consistent in their faith. I think God gives a boost to some, maybe for the rest of their lives, maybe for a time, each for a reason particular to that person. I think I needed to see it so that I'd have the strength to hang on. Maybe the person who doesn't share the experience didn't need to, and is maturing just fine. That is what I think is happening.

Experiences are not to be sought after, rather, the growth of love in one's heart for others, manifested by our caring for their needs, both material and spiritual.

Who cares what experiences you think you've had if you haven't got love?

I look at the experience of sanctification that I had - I cannot say whether I sinned or not - and I've tried to understand it in various ways. That's what caught my attention when I first heard about "Theosis", that seemed to best describe what happened.

But if I go with the Word, this began when I read the words in Psalm 129, "He has cut the bands of the wicked", and the darkness fell away. If I take this at face value, it means God cancelled the effect that wicked people had on me, as the Psalm says, "from my youth".

I can see it a lot of different ways. What I see in Scripture is a maturing process as we put off and put on, as we work out what He works in, as we cleanse ourselves from the the wrong things to be vessels of honor, as we purify ourselves in our hope of the resurrection, and becoming fully conformed to Jesus.

Paul seems to me to say that even He had not reached the fullness of this. That Jesus will be working in us all our lives. That we cannot even actually know whether or not we've "ceased from sin" entirely.

I noticed a post that you were leaving the thread. I hope you do not. I need your input too much for that. Call me selfish if you must.

Much love!

I am 100% in agreement with your post here brother-what is your take on sanctification? Give it to me in a concise manner as I'm "looking" for those words that are NOT mentioned in sanctification.

 

[marks]

-what is your take on sanctification?

Could you ask me in a different way? I'm not sure how to answer.

Much love!

 

[VictoryinJesus]

It is true that Paul did not identify the lawgiver.

Agree. I can tell it’s not something anyone cares to discuss. Why was it significant to me then to even bring it up? To be honest it kind of hurt my feelings when it’s judged as idle speculation. As if …it was brushed off as no need to have any part in that question. Yet it’s quickly assumed the explanation is …what was heard was so beautiful…so amazing …so wonderful…it was a crime speak of it. A crime to who? And isn’t that speculation?

If you look up all the times the Pharisees said Jesus and his disciples did what was unlawful …not to mention the on going debate over did he claim to be as God?

…and how Jesus said I only say and do what I see and hear My Father say and do. It seems to be not a crime to speak what is heard in the Spirit.

I thought of not responding and just letting it go. But it kind of bothers me to consider such beautiful things were heard that it’s a crime to speak of them. To me that makes no sense. Just being honest about how I feel. I’m not ranting. The subject can be dropped. But even before your thread …months ago that passage was in my mind. I can be completely wrong. But for me …I’m not going to say God was the one saying it was unlawful…not lawful…or forbidden to speak of those things heard. Because at this point I don’t know. And I’m sure not going to say God forbid those things to be spoken of because they were so wonderful it would be a crime to do so. A crime to who? God?

 

[PS95]

Have you ever considered why he wasn’t allowed to say what he heard?
2 Corinthians 12:3-4 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God know;) [4] How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

Consider who tried to prevent Jesus from saying only what he heard the Father say, and doing what he only saw the Father doing? Who shuts it down quicker than the constant “that is not lawful to say”?

it says that the thorn was given to keep Paul from exalting himself over what he had -heard (possibly also what he had seen) in the 3rd heaven because it was so great. It's not an attack to keep him from speaking abt what he should. Isn't that your understanding too?

 

[Johann]

Could you ask me in a different way? I'm not sure how to answer.

Sanctification-instantaneous and progressive or the daily outworking--the early fathers believe in entire sanctification without the progressive aspect of this wonderful doctrine-hence "we" are deified and are gods.

Can you explain how we become partakers of the divine nature?

2Pe_1:4 through δι’ which ὧν He has given δεδώρηται, to us ἡμῖν the τὰ precious τίμια and καὶ magnificent μέγιστα promises, ἐπαγγέλματα so that ἵνα through διὰ these τούτων you might become γένησθε partakers κοινωνοὶ of [the] divine θείας nature, φύσεως, having escaped ἀποφυγόντες the τῆς decay φθορᾶς. in ἐν the τῷ world κόσμῳ in ἐν desire. ἐπιθυμίᾳ

The go to verse for these ECF's

 

[marks]

Agree. I can tell it’s not something anyone cares to discuss. Why was it significant to me then to even bring it up? To be honest it kind of hurt my feelings when it’s judged as idle speculation. As if …it was brushed off as no need to have any part in that question. Yet it’s quickly assumed the explanation is …what was heard was so beautiful…so amazing …so wonderful…it was a crime speak of it. A crime to who? And isn’t that speculation?

If you look up all the times the Pharisees said Jesus and his disciples did what was unlawful …not to mention the on going debate over did he claim to be as God?

…and how Jesus said I only say and do what I see and hear My Father say and do. It seems to be not a crime to speak what is heard in the Spirit.

I thought of not responding and just letting it go. But it kind of bothers me to consider such beautiful things were heard that it’s a crime to speak of them. To me that makes no sense. Just being honest about how I feel. I’m not ranting. The subject can be dropped. But even before your thread …months ago that passage was in my mind. I can be completely wrong. But for me …I’m not going to say God was the one saying it was unlawful to speak of those things heard. Because at this point I don’t know. And I’m sure not going to say God forbid those things to be spoken of because they were so wonderful it would be a crime to do so. A crime to who? God?

I think we would be the victims.

The way I see this . . . that there was a man who, being taking into the 3rd heaven, that being the new heaven, he heard things which God did not allow him to repeat, because we would not understand it, or would not be able contextualize it, or in some way it would not help us, and would work against us.

The same thing happened with the 7 thunders, John was about to write what they said, he was told to not write it. He heard, and apparently understood, as he was about to write.

Here again, I think it wouldn't help us.

And then here's the question . . . why does John's vision include hearing the 7 thunders speak, but not being allowed to record their words? Mabye to tell us in no uncertain terms . . . we aren't being told all there is to be told.

If I look at this as being Paul himself who was taken into the 3rd heaven, then I come to this passage,

Ephesians 3:1-4 KJV
1) For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
2) If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
3) How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
4) Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)

IF it was Paul himself, though Paul denied it was him, so I believe that.

Much love!

 

[marks]

Sanctification-instantaneous and progressive or the daily outworking--the early fathers believe in entire sanctification without the progressive aspect of this wonderful doctrine-hence "we" are deified and are gods.

Can you explain how we become partakers of the divine nature?

2Pe_1:4 through δι’ which ὧν He has given δεδώρηται, to us ἡμῖν the τὰ precious τίμια and καὶ magnificent μέγιστα promises, ἐπαγγέλματα so that ἵνα through διὰ these τούτων you might become γένησθε partakers κοινωνοὶ of [the] divine θείας nature, φύσεως, having escaped ἀποφυγόντες the τῆς decay φθορᾶς. in ἐν the τῷ world κόσμῳ in ἐν desire. ἐπιθυμίᾳ

The go to verse for these ECF's

His promise is His commitment of Himself to see that the work is done. By His promises we have the availability to share in His nature, and such sharing is the overcoming of the corruption of worldly desire.

So that means for us to gain by His promises, if it's His promises which make partaking His nature possible - I'm sorry, you asked for succinct, suddenly I'm thinking fresh thoughts - I first remember I partake His nature in my spirit in my rebirth, so this is before anything else. I'm born again patterned after God Himself.

That being true of my creation, the partaking here in Peter is the fact of my life being transformed by God's Own nature. This is more of a partaking then simply my regeneration, so again, it's the working out what He works in, on the grand scale.

Through His promises we "might" partake of His nature, having escaped the corruption, again, speaking of the experience of our lives, why might, a statement of potentiallity? As God is true, yes and amen, the fault lies in us, I believe our willingness to believe His promises. To fully believe His promises is to walk by faith, and to live in God's power.

And many things seem to come along to trigger us - particulary our flesh - into a sudden eruption, to catch us off guard, or to pry deeper into some inner weakness, and cause us to stop believing His promises.

The best I can determine, "made conformable to Christ's death" means to be in the same state of submission to God as Jesus showed as He died on the cross. To me this comes across as the pinacle of the Christian's life, to live in the state of submission Jesus showed in His obedience unto the death of the cross. Paul affirms he had not arrived at that point, and affirmed in 1 Cor 4 that he wasn't even a qualified judge.

Anything that happens to us, anything we go through, be it happy seeming or sad, we must interpret according to Scripture, or we will end up in the weeds. Scripture tells me that we are to be on an ever upward path, that we'll be progressing the remainder of our lives, that God will take even drastic measures to make sure this will happen, and that we aren't qualified judges of ourselves, so it's better to spend our focus on serving others through the love that comes as an expression of our faith in God.

Much love!

 

[VictoryinJesus]

it says that the thorn was given to keep Paul from exalting himself over what he had -heard (possibly also what he had seen) in the 3rd heaven because it was so great. It's not an attack to keep him from speaking abt what he should. Isn't that your understanding too?

This is helpful. Thank you. I forgot about Paul’s thorn.

 

[ScottA]

2 Corinthians 12:2-4 KJV
2) I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth) such an one caught up to the third heaven.
3) And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth)
4) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

2 Peter 3:5-7 KJV
5) For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old (the first heaven), and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
6) Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
7) But the heavens and the earth, which are now (the second heaven), by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

2 Peter 3:13 KJV
13) Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth (the third heaven), wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Whomever this man was, he was taken into the new creation, but he wasn't allowed to say what he heard there.

Much love!

 

[Johann]

His promise is His commitment of Himself to see that the work is done. By His promises we have the availability to share in His nature, and such sharing is the overcoming of the corruption of worldly desire.

So that means for us to gain by His promises, if it's His promises which make partaking His nature possible - I'm sorry, you asked for succinct, suddenly I'm thinking fresh thoughts - I first remember I partake His nature in my spirit in my rebirth, so this is before anything else. I'm born again patterned after God Himself.

That being true of my creation, the partaking here in Peter is the fact of my life being transformed by God's Own nature. This is more of a partaking then simply my regeneration, so again, it's the working out what He works in, on the grand scale.

Through His promises we "might" partake of His nature, having escaped the corruption, again, speaking of the experience of our lives, why might, a statement of potentiallity? As God is true, yes and amen, the fault lies in us, I believe our willingness to believe His promises. To fully believe His promises is to walk by faith, and to live in God's power.

And many things seem to come along to trigger us - particulary our flesh - into a sudden eruption, to catch us off guard, or to pry deeper into some inner weakness, and cause us to stop believing His promises.

The best I can determine, "made conformable to Christ's death" means to be in the same state of submission to God as Jesus showed as He died on the cross. To me this comes across as the pinacle of the Christian's life, to live in the state of submission Jesus showed in His obedience unto the death of the cross. Paul affirms he had not arrived at that point, and affirmed in 1 Cor 4 that he wasn't even a qualified judge.

Anything that happens to us, anything we go through, be it happy seeming or sad, we must interpret according to Scripture, or we will end up in the weeds. Scripture tells me that we are to be on an ever upward path, that we'll be progressing the remainder of our lives, that God will take even drastic measures to make sure this will happen, and that we aren't qualified judges of ourselves, so it's better to spend our focus on serving others through the love that comes as an expression of our faith in God.

Much love!

You have a way with words, know that? Not speaking in a negative manner and wish we could communicate to each other πρόσωπον πρὸς πρόσωπον.

I could add to what you have written and parse the Greek Grammar but you know it, hence a powerful, heartfelt post from you, yet again.

Shalom to you and family brother.
Johann.

 

[VictoryinJesus]

The way I see this . . . that there was a man who, being taking into the 3rd heaven, that being the new heaven, he heard things which God did not allow him to repeat, because we would not understand it, or would not be able contextualize it, or in some way it would not help us, and would work against us.

I like what you said here. This is why it matters to me …I have all this stuff in my head concerning what I’ve been told something says. I’ve repeated those things which sometimes, now I regret being so quick to repeat it.

I’m not disagreeing with you…but in relation to what you shared concerning this man entered the New creation. then naturally I’m asking why what was heard was not lawful to speak of. I like how you put it above. It makes me think of where Paul sat with a brother whom was weak…and if Paul used the knowledge given unto him of Christ to destroy his brother, then he sinned against Christ.

“The way I see this . . . that there was a man who, being taking into the 3rd heaven, that being the new heaven, he heard things which God did not allow him to repeat, because we would not understand it, or would not be able contextualize it, or in some way it would not help us, and would work against us.”
Can see how there is a time for not speaking of those things heard…
Romans 14:15-20 But if thy brother be grieved with your meat, now walk you not charitably. Destroy not him with your meat, for whom Christ died. [16] Let not then your good be evil spoken of: [17] For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. [18] For he that in these things serves Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. [19] Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. [20] For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eats with offence.

To me it’s not idle to think of these things. My mother is an example. She is 93 and as much as I might want to, talking to her about God overwhelms her. So I don’t overwhelm her with the Bible talk or verses or topics. Thinking about this topic helps with why it could be not lawful to bombard her with all the things I talk to y’all about.

 

[Fred J]

2 Corinthians 12:2-4 KJV
2) I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth) such an one caught up to the third heaven.
3) And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth)
4) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

This is quite similar to the experience of John the Apostle, when he was taken up to be handed over the final Revelation for the church.

2 Peter 3:5-7 KJV
5) For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old (the first heaven), and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
6) Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:

This was during the time of Noah and the flood to cleanse the earth, where the disobedient spirits took the daughters of men were imprisoned in chains. Whom Christ went down to minister unto them the Gospel and salvation He victoriously fulfilled.

7) But the heavens and the earth, which are now (the second heaven), by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

This is the coming future after the Armageddon, the earth will be purified with fire.

2 Peter 3:13 KJV
13) Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth (the third heaven), wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Whomever this man was, he was taken into the new creation, but he wasn't allowed to say what he heard there.

Much love!

This is the final settlement of GOD with HIS Son, over HIS righteous saints and angels forever and ever. Amen

Shalom in the name of Jesus Christ

 

[Taken]

The Third Heaven - Taken into the Future

Heaven has it’s mysteries, and IMO, like all things mysterious to man-Kind…
God reveals His Secret Knowledge…
God reveals HINTS..
God reveals SIGNS..
God reveals PARALLELS..
God reveals BLIPS..

1st (layer, so to speak) Heaven
2nd (layer, so to speak) Heaven
3rd (layer, so to speak) Heaven

** And ONE Mystery revealed..

IN Brief…
1st layer…Heaven…
area of where we SEE clouds, air is thinner, but man-Kind can approach, walk in that area…
Mountain tops…clouds visibly seen..
REMEMBER…Moses going to the mountain top, and the LORD call that area…HOLY GROUND.

We also have the Technology to FLY in airplanes…with “supplied” air to breath…YET pass under, through and above CLOUDS.

2nd layer -
Man-KIND can SEE but not enter…
It is the ESTATE of holy angels, and we get a blip, a preview of sorts, of the billions of Gods Holy angel servant…represented by the Billions of stars we routinely get to observe in the night skys.

3rd layer -
Highest Heaven where Human bodily ALIVE men are not allowed…
This layer IS represented as the Place for Peace and Rest of a human mans…SAVED and Departed soul, and a mans Departed Born Again Spirit…
Activity here IMPLIES a comfort place for saved souls and quickened spirts to WAIT out their time IN Comfort, until the Day of Judgement.


Knowledge revealed…
#1) God RETAINS “HIS” GLORY, and gives His Glory to NO ONE.
#2) Gods GLORY “IS” HIS absolute complete POWER.
#3) Gods GLORY “IS” NOT given men…BUT rather “IS” reflected “UPON” men.

(Just as we can NOT assume possession OF the literal SUN, yet we CAN assume the benefit of the “reflection” OF the literal SUN.)

God IS Spirit.
God IS Invisible to manKINDS EYES.
God IS omnipresent.

On Earth, IN the Lower 1st Heavens…IN Mid- 2nd Heavens…IN the High 3rd Heavens…

AND…WHERE ELSE?
WHERE can manKIND…NOT SEE, NOT GO, NOT SEND a space craft to observe and send data Back to Earth?

The MYSTERY…is revealed IN the Knowledge IN Scripture…
Gods DOMAIN, ESTATE, HABITAT, EXPRESSLY EXCLUSIVELY ONLY Accessible UNTO God

It is called…ABOVE the Heaven(S).
Pss 8:
[1] O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.

Pss.57
[5] Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth.
[11] Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth.

Pss.108
[4] For thy mercy is great above the heavens: and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds.
[5] Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: and thy glory above all the earth;

Pss.113
[4] The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens.

Pss.148
[4] Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens.

4Ezra.4
[21] For like as the ground is given unto the wood, and the sea to his floods: even so they that dwell upon the earth may understand nothing but that which is upon the earth: and he that dwelleth above the heavens may only understand the things that are above the height of the heavens.


** WE also know from Gods word, man-KIND has and shall Make Discoveries (as God Himself introduced “His People Israel”, to the prospect of Discoveries…Scripture itself calls “SCIENCE” and that manKIND would exponentially increase in abilities to DO things that was once Anciently ONLY reserved as “Gods Works”…

** Today..we have lightening speed avenues to converse even see other men, thousands of miles away.

** Today…we have foreign eggs placed in the wombs of females.

** Today…we have robots speaking over communication lines.

** Today…we have robots … fashioned in the Likeness of human men, human women, walking, talking, nearly indistinguishable from a REAL Human.

** AND the MYSTERIOUS Scientific Discovery of “SEEING” what a man CAN NOT SEE…!!

Dubbed…BLACK HOLES.
What appears as the complete ABSENCE of LIGHT, is also verbalized as the INABILITY FOR LIGHT to ESCAPE from such “black holes”…

Gods DOMAIN…ABOVE, beyond the Stars, beyond mans grasp to ENTER…ABOVE the Heavens??

My personal perspective IS YES…that no human man can “peek” in … “enter” in… “claim, possess” Gods Glory, Kept reserved and protected By God Himself, For God Himself.

Glory to God,
Taken

 

[bro.tan]

Let's take a look a the future in Revelation 21: 1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

Jesus spoke about this new heaven on earth like into the third heaven in Matthew 6: 9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

 

[Davy]

2 Corinthians 12:2-4 KJV
2) I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth) such an one caught up to the third heaven.
3) And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth)
4) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

2 Peter 3:5-7 KJV
5) For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old (the first heaven), and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
6) Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
7) But the heavens and the earth, which are now (the second heaven), by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

2 Peter 3:13 KJV
13) Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth (the third heaven), wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Whomever this man was, he was taken into the new creation, but he wasn't allowed to say what he heard there.

Much love!

That's correct, the "third heaven" Paul pointed to is about the future 3rd world earth age, called the new heavens and a new earth by Peter.

Many do not realize that the belief in multiple planes (or levels) in Heaven originates from Eastern pagan religion.