What is the second heaven?

Answer

The second heaven is not explicitly named in Scripture; instead, the existence of the second heaven is deduced from the mention of a “third heaven.” If there is a third heaven, it implies the presence of a first heaven and a second heaven as well. The concept of multiple “heavens” is supported in Hebrews 7:26, where it states that Jesus, our High Priest, is “exalted above the heavens,” indicating His position beyond other heavens.

The third heaven is specifically referenced in 2 Corinthians 12:2. Paul recounts, “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.” In verse 4, Paul identifies the third heaven with “paradise,” the divine abode. Given that the third heaven is God’s dwelling, we can infer that the second heaven represents “outer space,” the domain of stars and planets, while the first heaven pertains to Earth’s atmosphere, the realm of birds and clouds.

The term “heaven” in Scripture encompasses all three realms. For instance, Psalm 104:12 mentions “the birds of the heavens” (ESV), referring to the first heaven, Earth’s atmosphere. In Isaiah 13:10, there is a mention of “the stars of heaven and their constellations,” alluding to the second heaven, outer space. Furthermore, Revelation 11:19 depicts the opening of “God’s temple in heaven,” signifying the third heaven, God’s dwelling place.

Certain Charismatic groups use the term “second heaven” to denote Satan’s dominion and anything associated with it. They draw from biblical passages describing Satan as “the ruler of the kingdom of the air” «wherein 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: », (Ephesians 2:2)and demons being “the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” «For 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. », (Ephesians 6:12) and develop a theology of spiritual warfare. According to these groups, “second heaven revelations” are false visions coming from Satan in an attempt to deceive God’s prophets on earth. Prophets must learn to distinguish between “second heaven revelations” (from the devil) and “third heaven revelations” (from God). These same groups also sometimes teach a hierarchy of demonic power, with the first-heaven (earth-bound) demons being of lesser authority and power than the second-heaven demons.

Categorizing demons into first-heaven and second-heaven types goes beyond what the Bible says. Again, the Bible does not include the term second heaven anywhere. Those who look for prophecies or new revelations from God set themselves up for deception. God has spoken, and the Bible’s canon is closed. We do not need a “new word” from God; we need to obey His “old word.”