2 Corinthians 12:2 English Standard Version (ESV) I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows.

Paul speaks to the issue of the third heaven. Where are the first and second heavens?

Revelation 21:1 English Standard Version (ESV) Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.

So the first heaven is connected to the first earth. We at one time looked up into the sky and understood the blue sky to be a heaven.

Matthew 3:16 English Standard Version (ESV) And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him;

The sense of the heavens opening up might have been seen as the clouds parting.

The second heaven might well be defined in Matthew 24.

Matthew 24:29 English Standard Version (ESV) “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.”

The celestial bodies which we know as the universe comprised of an untold number of galaxies would be the second heaven.

In verse 3 Paul declares that the third heaven is paradise. We can assume that this is a reference to the Garden of Eden where God walked with Adam and Eve. Interestingly Paul declares that in this place he hears things that cannot be shared, verse 4. This is a place where great secrets are kept.

Why not share those great secrets with us in the first heaven?

1 Thessalonians 1:5 English Standard Version (ESV) because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.

There is so much to be said about this one verse that it would be easy to lose focus on the most important aspect of the verse. We are here for you.

Are you lost? Then the gospel is definitely needed.

Are you a new Christian struggling with the change? Then you definitely need the Word, your bible.

Are you a mature Christian that seeks to be used for the glory of God? Then you need to be empowered.

Are you being hounded by the lies of the enemy? Then you definitely need the Spirit of Truth to combat those lies.

Are you complacent with your position, comfortable with your effort, and just want to live your life in quiet reflection? Then you need to be convicted.

We all fit into one of these categories at some time, perhaps more than one. We are changed as we move from one state to another. The only constant is change. We are not meant to be perfected in this life. Perfection will come when this mortal shell is cast off and we put on immortality.

The Holy Spirit is given to enact God’s will and it is God’s will that we are to mature time over time until time ends. We are His to do with as He pleases and would love it if we cooperated like good obedient children.

Do we want to please the Father?