You have probably heard that term, maybe used it yourself, “seventh heaven.” Men use that term to describe being elated or overjoyed about something or some experience: “I was in seventh heaven!” Few realize that terminology comes from the Koran, not the Bible. The Koran speaks of there being seven heavens. The Bible speaks of there being only three: the first heaven being the atmosphere around this earth, the second being that vast expanse of space in which there are stars, planets, and the like. And, of course, that second heaven extends outward in space billions and billions of light years. The third heaven is the heaven of the Bible, the place of God’s habitation. The apostle Paul speaks of being “caught up to the third heaven.” (See 2 Corinthians 12:2). Our astronauts think they made quite a trip going to the moon. They ought to talk with Paul. He went trillions of miles further! That is WHY Paul says he doesn’t know whether he was “in the body” or “out of the body” (same verse as above). Paul in his lengthy journeys had to cross many mountains. He knew that the higher you ascended the colder it got and the more difficult it became to breathe, so he allows that he might not have been in his physical body when making that astonishing trip. Since with God ALL THINGS are possible. He might well have been in his physical body. This is another account in the scriptures that screams to us: DO NOT LIMIT GOD! I always consider this FACT when praying for healing.
God can raise the dead! And has done so on several occasions. There is no respect of persons with God, though He does consider our dedication and degree of obedience when considering hearing our petitions and granting requests. Spiritual rebels have little, if any, power in prayer. I word myself that way due to the fact that God is absolutely sovereign and can even overrule Himself if He so chooses. Sometimes even a pagan can cry out to God for help and God will move on that pagan’s behalf. God, unlike Allah, truly is the Most Merciful – “full of mercy and plenteous in kindness” is the way scripture puts it. (I am meditating upon the Book of Ephesians. That is why my mind was turned to consider the issue of heaven.) I highly recommend the reading of the Letter to the Ephesians. It consists of but six short chapters, but contains some of the greatest revelation about God and Christ as can be found in all of Holy Writ. Read it once more even if you have already read it a dozen or more times. I have read it dozens and dozens of times and am supremely blessed every time I do so.
Christ’s Faithful Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),
Donald Wiley