THE HEAVENS... Levels & Firmaments of the Heavens

THE HEAVENS
Display The Glory of God

Psalms 19:1-2...
THE HEAVENS declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows and proclaims His handiwork. Day after day pours forth speech, and night after night shows forth knowledge.

The Old Testament Hebrew word for Heaven is Shamayim which is the Heavens (always plural in Hebrew), and is defined as the sky, the abode of the stars, the visible universe, the atmosphere, the air, and THE ABODE OF GOD. The Heavens is the firmament that seems to be spread out over the globe, as supported on foundations and columns... Remember in the blog about God bowing down the Heavens to help David. 2Samuel 22:8 tells us that the foundations of the Heavens trembled and shook. And Job 26:11 says that the pillars of the Heavens tremble at God's rebuke.

This blog may be a bit lengthy in revealing the various levels and firmaments of the Heavens, but I pray you'll take the time to read it and discover more of God's glorious dimensions of Glory Realm Living as we continue with our series on The Heavens!!!

The primary word used for Heaven, ShMYM (Sha mayim), actually comes from two Hebrew words which mean sh(a) FIRE, mayim WATER. In Matthew 3:2 PNT, we are told to continually repent because the Kingdom of the Heavens has come near, or is at hand. Matthew 3:11 says we are baptized in water because of repentance, but are to also be baptized in the Holy Spirit and in fire. Matthew 5:3 and 5:10 goes on to say that the Heavens belong to the humble person who has repented of the world's system and wisdom and relies solely on God. Also the Heavens belong to the one who suffers persecution for his faith in Christ and God's Word. For theirs is the Kingdom of the Heavens... this is our wedding band we hold dearly that signifies us as the Bride of Christ! Isn't this amazing... we belong to the Kingdom of the Heavens and the Bridegroom!!! Therefore, we should know about that to which we belong.

3 LEVELS, SIMPLY PUT...

Heaven is a real place! It is a literal destination, not some dream or imagined vision. God has revealed to all of us many of the realities of Heaven all throughout the Holy Scriptures.

The First Heaven is an atmospheric Heaven. This is the atmosphere around the earth. It is where the birds fly and the winds blow. This is where showers, storms, mists, vapors, and clouds are formed. The sky is the place the angel was referring to in Acts 1:11 when he asked the disciples why they were "gazing up into Heaven." Jesus, when He was talking to His Father, "lifted up His eyes to Heaven" (John 17:1), or toward the sky.

The Second Heaven is the Heaven of space. This is the region of the sun, the moon, and the stars. It is mentioned in the bible in many places (a few references are: Genesis 22:17; Deuteronomy 4:19; Job 38:31-33; Isaiah 13:10; Matthew 24:29).

The Third Heaven is the destination of the righteous, however, it is beyond the atmosphere and the starry skies. This place is what the apostle Paul referred to when he wrote, "I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third Heaven" (2Corinthians 12:2 NIV).

Heaven is also the region of the immediate presence of God: "For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into Heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us" (Hebrews 9:24). Heaven is where God lives. When Jesus taught us to pray in Matthew 6:9, He said "to our Father in Heaven." In 1Kings 8:30, Heaven is called the dwelling place of God. In Psalm 11:4, it is called God's Holy Temple and the place where His Throne is. There, in the Temple of God's divine majesty, His excellent glory is revealed in the most conspicuous manner. It is a sacred place of light, joy, and glory. We don't know exactly where the location is, but often in the Bible, Heaven is indicated as being "up." Therefore, all the Heavens surround us.

We know that God Almighty is in Heaven. There He and Jesus Christ are the central focus of saints, angels, and all worshipping beings. What glorious company there is in Heaven! Angels are there, because Jesus said, "In Heaven angels always see the face of My Father Who is in Heaven" (Matthew 18:10). The saints are there because Jesus promised us, "Where I am, there you may be also" (John 14:3). We are told in 1Peter 1:4 that an inheritance has been reserved for us in Heaven - an inheritance that is incorruptible, undefiled, and that will not fade away. Other Scripture references are:

• Nehemiah 9:6, You alone are the Lord; You have made Heaven, the Heaven of Heavens, with all their host, the earth and everything on it, the seas and all that is in them, and You preserve them all. The host of Heaven worships You.
• Job 22:12, 14, Is not God in the height of Heaven?... Thick clouds cover Him, so that He cannot see, and He walks above the circle of Heaven.
• Psalm 102:19, For He looked down from the height of His Sanctuary; from Heaven the Lord viewed the earth.
• Psalm 103:19, The Lord has established His Throne in Heaven, and His Kingdom rules over all.
• Psalm 148:13, Let them praise the Name of the Lord, for His Name alone is exalted; His glory is above the earth and Heaven.
• Hebrews 12:22, But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the Heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels.

As mentioned, Heavens is always plural in Hebrew, with various levels of the Heavens being noted here. Some of the following is from an excerpt found in the Power New Testament Revealing Jewish Roots by William J. Morford, along with Scriptures I've noted and my own study reference material that support these findings. This excerpt listed the names of the seven levels as: Vilon, Rakia, Shechakim, Zevul, Maon, Machon, and Aravot. My further studies began to reveal that there are various opinions among the philosophers and Sages as to the number of the firmaments. But the one according to the Talmud/Resh Lakish held the opinion of these seven, which have been generally accepted.

My hope is that this blog will add to your knowledge about the Heavens, all its "awe and wonderfulness", and further enhance your Glory Realm Living experience. I pray this series of the Heavens is interesting and invaluable to you.

The Seven Firmaments of Heaven

The first three --Vilon, Rakia, Shechakim -- represent the universe, the visible night sky, the sun, and the atmosphere. Each of the other four levels is both physical and spiritual. Three levels are translated Habitation: Zevul, Maon, Machon. Three levels are populated: Zevul, with the celestial Jerusalem; Maon, with the bands of ministering angels; and Aravot, with various heavenly beings, and the spirits of the saints. That is probably the level Paul referred to as the third Heaven in 2Corinthians 12:2.

Vilon (Wilo) is where God sits above the circle (the horizon) of the earth... it is He Who stretches out the Heavens as a curtain (Vilon), and spreads them out as a tent to dwell in" (Isaiah 40:22). Vilon retires in the morning and comes out in the evening, and renews the work of creation daily. Vilon is the entire universe, going beyond what we can see with telescopes. Vilon is the curtain, and the Hebrew word used in Isaiah 40:22 is doq, pronounced like coke, which means curtain.

• This firmament is the brightest of all, and it illuminates the world. At night it is closed, so the world is dark. Some say the opposite is true, that it is open by night and closed by day. Psalm 104:30 lets us know that the face of the earth constantly puts on the aspect of newness. There is a daily renewing by a new and beautiful sunrise each and every morning.

Rakia (Raqia) is where God said, Let there be lights in the expanse of the Heavens... And God set them in the firmament (Rakia) of the Heavens to give light upon the earth" (Genesis 1:17). This is a reference to the stars, sun, moon, and planets: outer space where the various heavenly bodies move in their prescribed orbits and/or maintain relationships in constellations, solar systems, galaxies, etc. Rakia is the part of the Heavens that can be seen.

Shechakim (Shehakim) is where in Psalm 78:23, God commanded the skies (Shechakim) above and opened the doors of Heaven; and He rained down manna upon them to eat. This is the place where manna is prepared for the righteous. It is also the source of mercy to help people in times of trouble. Sometimes the feeling of miraculously getting by is our manna while on the way to His Promises being fulfilled. His Word is still miraculously feeding us. Shechakim is the atmosphere.

• We decree into the atmosphere and God establishes it for us (Job 22:28).

Zevul (Zebul) is the location for "I have surely built You a house (the temple) of habitation (Zevul), a settled place for You to dwell in forever" (1Kings 8:13). This is the location of celestial Jerusalem. How do we know that Zevul is this place? Because Isaiah 63:15 records, Look down from Heaven and behold from the habitation (Zevul) of Your holiness and Your glory.

• Hebrew 12:22 and Revelation 21:2 Amp. - references the Heavenly Jerusalem.
• Psalm 11:4 Amp. - The Lord is in His holy temple; the Lord's throne is in Heaven. Zevul contains the upper or supernal Temple, which parallels the lower temple built for His presence.

Maon (Ma'on) is where "The Lord will command His loving kindness in the daytime and in the night His song shall be with me, a prayer to the God of my life" (Psalm 42:8). This is where His ministering angels stay, singing in the night. We know that this is Heaven because according to Deuteronomy 26:15, He looks down from His holy habitation (Maon) from Heaven and blesses His people.

• Maon is also said to be the firmament populated with the myriads of angels who sing before God.

Machon is the location of the storehouses of snow, rain, hail, whirlwinds, storms, etc. Deuteronomy 28:12 says, "The Lord shall open unto you His good treasury..." and some versions record it as "...the storehouse of His bounty to give the rain." We know that this is Heaven because God hears in heaven, the habitation (Machon) of His dwelling.." (1Kings 8:39). I knew there was a reason why I LOVE RAIN!!! It's anointed from the Heavens' storehouse.

• Additional Scripture references are: Psalm 135:7 ...Who makes lightnings for the rain, Who brings the wind out of His storehouses; Jeremiah 10:13 and 51:16 says, When He utters His voice, there is a tumult of waters in the Heavens, and He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth. He makes lightnings for the rain and brings forth the wind out from His treasuries... from His storehouses.
• 1Kings 8:39 Amp. - Then hear in Heaven, Your dwelling place, and forgive and act and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart You know, for You and You only know the hearts of all the children of men.

Aravot (Araboth) is that in which are righteousness, judgment, charity, the storehouses of life, of peace, of blessing, and the spirits of the righteous. Those living here include the Ophannim, Cherubim, and Seraphim, celestial beings described as never sleeping, but watching or guarding the Throne of God. Also in Aravot are the ministering angels. Psalm 68:4 says to Cast up a highway for Him Who rides upon the clouds (Aravot) through the deserts. The storehouse of life contains the force of life for all those yet to be born because when God finished creation in Genesis 2:1, He had made everything that would ever be. That's why God KNOWS you sooo intimately... you were with Him from the beginning of creation:

• Genesis 1:31 through 2:4 Amp. - And God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good (suitable, pleasant) and He approved it completely. And there was evening and there was morning, a sixth day. Thus the Heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done. And God blessed (spoke good of) the seventh day, set it apart as His own, and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all His work which He had created and done. This is the history of the heavens and of the earth when they were created. In the day that the Lord God made the earth and the Heavens -- Aravot contains life, peace, blessing and success. Also the souls of the righteous, both those who have already completed their journey through the physical world, and those who have not yet been born.
• Ephesians 1:4, 2:10 Amp. - Even as [in His love] He chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above reproach, before Him in love. For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].
• Genesis 1:26-28 Amp. - God made mankind in His image, after the likeness of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit... In the likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them. And God blessed them!
• The ministering angels are in this firmament. Psalm 104:4 and Hebrews 1:7 tell us, And indeed in reference to the angels He says, The One Who makes His angels spirits or messengers winds, and His ministers flames of fire. Isaiah 6:2 records that above Him stood the seraphim.

And these are the levels and firmaments, along with scriptures that support the analogies of the various dimensions and storehouses of the Heavens.

I hope that you're enjoying these series about the Heavens. There's more to come. Thank you so much for taking the time to visit this site. If you've not read past blogs... take the time to do so, you'll be abundantly blessed. I love you dearly! Until next time, live passionately within the Realm of God's Glory!!!

(As aforementioned, portions of excerpts for this particular blog were referenced from the Power New Testament and the Divine Revelation of Heaven.)