The American Wisdom Series

Presents
Pamphlet #4579

My highlighted verses: 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 knoweth;) 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 knoweth;)
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 mine 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 seeth me to be, or that he heareth 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 besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: 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 upon 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.

Paul was caught up, spiritually shown, the third heaven;as in the 1st.one being the one that was, the 2nd.one being the one that is now, the 3rd.one being the one that is to come. Same as three earth ages.

What's This About a Third Heaven?


Peter taught us, in 2 Peter, about three heavens. And three earths.
(Let's count them!)
2 Peter 3:1  This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
2  That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:
2 Peter 3:3  Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
4  And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
5  For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the (1st) heavens were of old,  and the (1st) earth standing out of the water and in the water:
6  Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:

Editors Note: This is not Noah's Flood! The heavens didn't perish in Noah's flood. Read pamphlet #1003

7  (2nd) But the heavens and the (2nd) earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
8  But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
10  But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
11  Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12  Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
13  Nevertheless we, according to his promise, (3rd) look for new heavens and a (3rd) new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
14  Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
15  And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
16  As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
17  Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
18  But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Paul taught us, in II Corinthians, about a third heaven.
(Paul was taken to the third heaven which is still future)
II Corinthians 12:2  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 knoweth;) (3rd) such an one caught up to the third heaven. (probably in the spirit/out of the body)
3  And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
4  How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

John taught us, in Revelations, about a heaven yet future and a earlier heaven which the KJV translators mistakenly called the first. They apparently had the same problem many of us today have, i.e. We let preconceived ideas interfere with our judgment.
(We know John is speaking of the 2nd and 3rd not new and first as King James translators mistakenly state)
Revelation 21:1  And I saw a (3rd) new heaven and a new earth: (2nd) for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. (see verse 4 commentary below)
2  And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3  And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
4  And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

The word "first" used here is the Greek word "protos"
and is the same word translated "former" in verse 4.

Note: The Living Bible does translate "present" instead of "first" in Rev. 21:1.

So the heaven and earth that pass away in this verse is the one prior to the "new"
one which comes into existence "after" the lake of fire,
i.e. the present earth age that we are in now, the 2nd earth age.

5  And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
6  And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
7  He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
8  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
 

Rev. 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first(?) heaven and the first(?) earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.(bad translation here in KJV)
We know from 2 Pet. 3 that there are three heaven and earth ages.

We also know from 2 Corinthians 12:2 that Paul was caught up to the third heaven.

It is the same earth but three different "ages" because the earth itself "abideth forever" (Eccles. 1:4).

(1st) The "world that then was" (Gen 1:2), prior to the foundation of this earth age,
was totally destroyed. It perished at the overthrow of Satan.

(2nd) This one will perish at his destruction!

(3rd) And so the 3rd earth age will be for all eternity.

The planet itself will be set back on its proper axis and correct orbital path.

The actual seas will be dried up and the water will return to the canopy from whence it came.

The earth will once again be the most beautiful paradise in the universe
(the wackos have it all wrong for this is the true greenhouse effect).

And our Father will call it Home!

John Rhine's Notes about Genesis/Creation Pamphlet #7008
See also #7015

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