Three Heavens
Heaven is the Hebrew word shamayim {shaw-mah’-yim}. It means, heavens or sky. Such as the visible heavens, the abode of the stars or the visible universe. Sometimes shamayim {shaw-mah’-yim} refers to the abode of God, but mostly the visible heavens.
The New Testament has something to teach us concerning this matter, 2 Corinthians 12:2-4.
2I knew a man in Messiah 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. 3And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) 4How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
Paul speaks of 3 heavens. The 3rd heaven being paradise, God’s abode. So what are other the two heavens?
The first heaven contains the sun, the moon, and the literal stars. This is the heaven that is visible to mankind. For the 2nd heaven, Ephesians 1:20-21:
20Which he wrought in Messiah, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
If Yeshua is in the 3rd heaven and He has been put far above, then someone else is in the 2nd heaven, Ephesians 2:2.
2Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
And Ephesians 6:12:
12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
I hope you weren’t thinking that Satan reside in the earth’s core? There is not a single scripture to support that one. Satan was in the 2nd heaven
Why would Elijah take a chariot ride only to the 1st heaven? The answer is found in the reason why Elisha was selected. Back in 1 Kings 19, God asked Elijah a question. Read Elijah’s answer, 1 Kings 19:14.
14And he said, I have been very jealous for Yehovah God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
Elijah claimed that he was the only one left, that is a pretty bold statement. God replies in 1 Kings 19:15-18.
15And Yehovah said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria: 16And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room. 17And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay. 18Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.
In other words, Elijah anoint Hazel, Jehu and Elisha, because you are being replaced. Elijah, who are you to think you are the only one. There were 7000 others. Think about this, God replaces Elijah with Elisha. Elijah trained his replacement. If Elijah was still around, that would that hamper Elisha’s ministry.
If people still want to believe that Elijah went to heaven, they can. However scriptures tells us otherwise. Elijah took a chariot ride and was set down somewhere far away from Elisha. He was taken out of the kingdom of Israel and planted in the kingdom of Judah. This was so Elijah’s presence would not hamper Elisha’s ministry.
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