Understanding the Third Heaven and Paradise in 2 Corinthians 12

2 Corinthians 12

1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

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 knows;) 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 knows;)

4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in my infirmities.

6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he sees me to be, or that he hears of me.

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

8 For this thing I sought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

9 And he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest on me.

10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

11 I am become a fool in glorying; you have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very most chief apostles, though I be nothing.

12 Truly the signs of an apostle were worked among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.

13 For what is it wherein you were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.

14 Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.

16 But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.

17 Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent to you?

18 I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?

19 Again, think you that we excuse ourselves to you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.

20 For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found to you such as you would not: lest there be debates, contentions, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, arrogance, tumults:

21 And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall mourn many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.

By the third heaven, the apostle Paul refers to a literal, tangible place known as Paradise, which is the high and holy residence where God has His throne and where the tree of life is currently foundDAR1909 377.2+2. This celestial location is the antitype of the earthly sanctuary and is the home of the New Jerusalem, the glorious city of GodBP1 3.3+2.

📍 The Location of Paradise

Paul uses the terms "third heaven" and "paradise" interchangeably to describe the same locationAA 469.1+2. This is not an intermediate state or a figurative concept, but a literal realm far above the atmospheric and planetary heavensDAR1909 748.3+2.

• The First Heaven: This is the atmospheric heaven that the fowls of the air inhabitEVRR219+2.

• The Second Heaven: This refers to the planetary heaven, the vast region of the sun, moon, and starsEVRR219+2.

• The Third Heaven: This is the highest heaven, where the Father and Jesus reside and where the Holy City standsBP1 3.3+2.

🌳 What is Found in the Third Heaven

The third heaven contains the essential components of God's eternal kingdom.

• The Tree of Life: This literal tree, which was once in the Garden of Eden, was translated to the Paradise of God in the third heavenDAR1909 377.2+2.

• The Throne of God: It is the dwelling place of the Creator and the location where Jesus ascended to sit at the right hand of His Father Hebrews 8:1EVRR704+1.

• The New Jerusalem: This holy city, the capital of Christ’s everlasting kingdom, is situated there and will eventually descend to the earth Revelation 21:2BP1 3.3+1.

• The Heavenly Sanctuary: This is the "true tabernacle" where Christ now ministers as our High Priest, containing the ark of His testament Hebrews 8:1-2AWLF 23.2+1.

✨ Paul’s Experience in Vision

Paul’s description arises from a special "vision and revelation of the Lord" granted to him early in his Christian experience 2 Corinthians 12:1AA 469.1. During this vision, he was caught up to these heavenly courts and heard "unspeakable words" that are impossible for human speech to expressAA 469.1+2. Whether he was in his physical body or out of it during this experience, he could not tell, but the insights he gained gave him a clear and full comprehension of the depth of the love of ChristAA 469.1+2.

🌟 Importance for the Believer

Knowledge of the third heaven provides a "blessed hope" and a "tangible ground" for God's people to stand uponBP1 3.3+1. It is the bright land from which intelligence and light are brought to our world, showing us the path that leads from the darkness of earth to those blessed abodesDAR1909 748.3+1. Those who overcome are promised the right to enter this city and eat of the tree of life in the midst of the paradise of God Revelation 2:7+1MOI 47.3+1.