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Answer
The closest reference in Scripture to the existence of varying levels of heaven is found in 2 Corinthians 12:2, “I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows.” Some interpret this as suggesting the presence of three distinct levels of heaven: one for exceptionally devoted Christians or those who have attained a high level of spirituality, another for ordinary believers, and a third for Christians who were not faithful in their service to God. However, this interpretation lacks biblical support.
Paul is not asserting the existence of three heavens or different levels of heaven. In various ancient societies, the term heaven was used to denote three distinct “realms”—the sky, outer space, and a spiritual realm. Paul was indicating that God transported him to the “spiritual” heaven, the domain beyond the physical universe where God resides. The notion of multiple levels of heaven may have been influenced in part by Dante’s The Divine Comedy, in which the poet portrays heaven and hell as having nine distinct levels. Nevertheless, The Divine Comedy is a work of fiction. The concept of varying levels of heaven is not supported by Scripture.
Scripture does mention varying rewards in heaven. Jesus spoke about rewards, saying, “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done” «And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. », (Revelation 22:12). As Jesus will be dispensing rewards based on individuals’ actions, we can confidently state
There will be a time of reward for believers, and the rewards will vary from person to person.
Only the works that withstand God’s refining fire hold eternal value and deserve reward. These valuable works are known as “gold, silver, and costly stones” «Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; », (1 Corinthians 3:12) and are those built on the foundation of faith in Christ. Works that will not receive rewards are labeled “wood, hay, and stubble”; these are not evil deeds but superficial activities lacking eternal value. Rewards will be given at the “judgment seat of Christ,” where believers’ lives will be assessed for rewards. The “judgment” of believers does not involve punishment for sin. Jesus Christ bore the punishment for our sins on the cross, and God declared: “I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more” «For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, And their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. », (Hebrews 8:12). What a glorious concept! Christians need not fear punishment but can anticipate receiving crowns of reward to lay at the Savior’s feet. In summary, there are not varying levels of heaven, but there are different levels of reward in heaven.
