When Jesus taught the Lord’s Prayer, He said: “Our Father who art in heaven” (Matthew 6:9). But if you look closely, it actually says heavens (plural), not heaven.
This reveals something profound: the Bible doesn’t speak of just one heaven, but of three heavens.
1st Heaven – The visible sky
This is the heaven we see every day: blue skies, clouds, the sun, moon, and stars.
Who hasn’t paused to admire a sunset or a starlit night? This first heaven is visible to all, and yet it already leaves us in awe.
2nd Heaven – The infinite universe
Here we find galaxies, stars, and planetary systems that can only be seen through telescopes.
Science estimates there are over 2 trillion observable galaxies, each with billions of stars. It’s impossible not to be amazed by such immensity.
If man is already overwhelmed just by observing the universe, imagine the greatness of the One who created it!
3rd Heaven – The dwelling place of God
Isaiah 57:15 describes it: “The High and Exalted One, who lives forever, whose name is Holy, dwells in a high and holy place.”
This is the third heaven: the abode of God, where there is no pain, sorrow, sickness, or death. The Apostle Paul said he was caught up to the third heaven and heard inexpressible words, impossible to describe (2 Corinthians 12:2-4).
This is also the heaven that Stephen saw before being stoned, when he declared: “Look, I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God” (Acts 7:55-56).
What does this revelation mean for us?
Those who receive the Holy Spirit live under “open heavens.” This experience transforms life: what once seemed essential in this world becomes insignificant compared to God’s eternal promise.
The third heaven cannot be reached by rockets, telescopes, or human science. It can only be revealed by the Holy Spirit.
That’s why more important than wealth or fleeting pleasures is desiring that eternal dwelling place Jesus prepared. There, the streets are made of gold, there are many mansions, and our bodies will be clothed with incorruptibility.
Conclusion
The first heaven delights the eyes.
The second heaven reveals the vastness of the universe.
But the third heaven is the greatest promise: eternity with God.
And to reach it, we must make a choice: to seek the Holy Spirit above all else. He is the seal of salvation—the guarantee that heaven already begins within us.