The 3rd Heaven??? (bible, quote, Jewish, God)

[jeffncandace]

2 Corinthians 12:2

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.

To those who are Christians, I was wondering how you interpret this verse? The LDS, in part, base their belief of 3 distinct heavens on this verse.

Discuss!

[urbanlemur]

The way I understand how the Bible is interpreted, the first heaven is our own atmosphere, the second heaven is the realm of the universe/space and finally, the third heaven is place where God resides.

[jeffncandace]

Originally Posted by urbanlemur

The way I understand how the Bible is interpreted, the first heaven is our own atmosphere, the second heaven is the realm of the universe/space and finally, the third heaven is place where God resides.

Exactly what I was taught. Anyone else?

[Alpha8207]

Originally Posted by urbanlemur

The way I understand how the Bible is interpreted, the first heaven is our own atmosphere, the second heaven is the realm of the universe/space and finally, the third heaven is place where God resides.

The way you understand is the way I understand.

[kaykay]

Originally Posted by jeffncandace

Exactly what I was taught. Anyone else?

I think I've heard that before too and it sounds reasonable. I think, though, that as I've read that scripture I've always thought about it more "mystically" than that. Kind of like my "standby" scripture, Deuteronomy 29:29 "The secret things belong to the Lord..."

But this explanation makes sense. Wonder how "heaven" is literally translated here in the Greek.

[BudinAk]

Originally Posted by urbanlemur

The way I understand how the Bible is interpreted, the first heaven is our own atmosphere, the second heaven is the realm of the universe/space and finally, the third heaven is place where God resides.

I agree...

Bud

[jeffncandace]

Originally Posted by kaykay

I think I've heard that before too and it sounds reasonable. I think, though, that as I've read that scripture I've always thought about it more "mystically" than that. Kind of like my "standby" scripture, Deuteronomy 29:29 "The secret things belong to the Lord..."

But this explanation makes sense. Wonder how "heaven" is literally translated here in the Greek.

The Online Parallel Bible defines it as follows: "The third heaven. A Jewish expression for that heaven which was beyond (1) the air, and (2) beyond the sun and stars; the secret place of the Almighty."

Here's the link: 2 Corinthians 12:2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago--

[urbanlemur]

Think about it this way too....when we look up at the night sky, sometimes we refer to it as looking up to the "heavens".

[Dixiebound]

Originally Posted by urbanlemur

The way I understand how the Bible is interpreted, the first heaven is our own atmosphere, the second heaven is the realm of the universe/space and finally, the third heaven is place where God resides.

I agree 100%

DB

[I LOVE NORTH CAROLINA]

Originally Posted by urbanlemur

The way I understand how the Bible is interpreted, the first heaven is our own atmosphere, the second heaven is the realm of the universe/space and finally, the third heaven is place where God resides.

I agree with this also.