Does heaven have different levels?

Quick answer

The Bible does not say there are multiple levels of heaven; rather, there are different aspects of the sky: the atmosphere, space, and where God dwells. The Bible is clear that there are only two places in the afterlife—heaven and hell.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The Bible speaks of only one eternal home for believers where all of God's people will ultimately dwell with Him forever. However, there has been much confusion on the topic of heaven having different levels due to a passage in 2 Corinthians 12, in which Paul speaks of a third heaven. Paul’s vision does not imply multiple levels; it denotes different aspects of the sky, rather than distinct levels of heaven. The Bible clearly presents only two places in the afterlife—heaven and hell—where one’s eternal destiny depends on faith in Jesus Christ.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

Heaven having different levels is not mentioned in the Old Testament. The emphasis is more on God's glory, His throne, and the ultimate union of His people with Him. This is seen in passages like Psalm 47:8, which says, "God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne," and Isaiah 6:1, which describes a vision of God's throne room: "I saw the LORD sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple." The focus in the Old Testament is on God’s sovereignty and the intimate relationship between Him and His people.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

Although stated in an anonymous fashion (2 Corinthians 12:2), Paul spoke of himself when discussing his vision of the third heaven. In it, he made reference to the cultural idea that included three levels of "heaven." The first level referred to the sky. In fact, the Greek and Hebrew words for heaven and sky are the same. The second level referred to the night skies, or what we would call outer space. The third heaven referred to the unseen heaven where God dwells with His people.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

While there are many views of heaven and the afterlife found in cultural and religious teachings, the Bible presents only two places in the afterlife—heaven and hell—and does not teach multiple levels of heaven. Heaven is where believers who have accepted Christ’s redemption will be, while hell is the place of eternal separation from God for those who have rejected Him. The choice to go to heaven or hell is determined by faith in Jesus Christ (John 3:16; 14:6).

Understanding that our eternal destiny hinges on our response to Jesus should influence how we live today. It calls us to live with a sense of urgency in sharing the gospel, as every individual’s eternal fate is at stake. We are called to live lives that reflect the love and truth of Christ, reaching out to those around us with compassion and a willingness to point them toward the saving grace of Jesus.

Additionally, the reality of heaven and hell should inspire us to prioritize our relationship with God above all else. Our lives should be characterized by holiness, devotion, and a steadfast commitment to God’s Word and His will. Knowing that we are destined for heaven if we place our faith in Christ should give us confidence and peace, but it also carries a responsibility to live a life that honors God and serves as a witness to others. As we look forward to our future in heaven, we are called to live purposefully and with integrity, knowing that our actions today have eternal consequences.

UNDERSTAND

The Bible presents only two places in the afterlife—heaven and hell.

The Bible does not teach multiple levels of heaven.

Paul’s vision in 2 Corinthians 12 refers to different aspects of the sky, not multiple levels of heaven.

REFLECT

How does the idea of heaven as a single, unified place impact your understanding of eternal destiny and what you believe?

How can understanding that heaven and hell are distinct places influence your priorities and actions today?

How does the focus on God’s glory and His throne shape your perspective on your relationship with Him and your life choices?

ENGAGE

Many people have been confused about levels of heaven because of the popular writing by Dante called the Divine Comedy. In it, he describes nine levels of heaven, with details regarding each level. This writing, though creative, is a work of fiction and is not to be accepted as the teachings of the Bible. How does the cultural idea of multiple levels of heaven compare and contrast with what the Bible teaches about heaven?

Many other religious movements speak of multiple levels of heaven or the afterlife. For example, the Mormon Church (LDS) has a concept of the afterlife that includes more than one level of what would be considered heaven. The Mormon Church teaches that there are three levels of the afterlife called the celestial kingdom, the terrestrial kingdom, and the telestial kingdom. Mormon doctrine teaches that the celestial kingdom is the third heaven mentioned in 2 Corinthians 12 and is reached by the most faithful Mormons and children who die before the age of 8 years old, and it is where both God the Father and Jesus Christ dwell. However, no such thing is taught in the Bible. How can we help others understand the biblical view of heaven and hell?

What practical steps can we take to prioritize our relationship with God and live a life that reflects the truth of the gospel in light of our eternal destiny?