THREE ORDERS OF REALITY
There are three orders of reality. There is the divine existence. Just below that is the preternatural world, the world of spirits. Then there’s the natural world, where we live. But human beings also participate in the preternatural. Some people are more attuned to the preternatural world. “They kind of sense things better. Things like demons.” _ Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J.
FIRST HEAVEN _ The Earth (and Atmosphere)
For then the anger of the LORD will flare up against you and he will close up the heavens, so that no rain will fall, and the soil will not yield its crops, and you will soon perish from the good land the LORD is giving you. (Deuteronomy 11:17)
First heaven is the natural world -- where human beings live, and also participate in the preternatural world.
First heaven is where we fight against “the world rulers of this present darkness” (Ephesians 6:12). This is where we fight against the Devil and the fallen angels (demons) that were “thrown down to earth” (Revelation 12:9).
SECOND HEAVEN _ Between Earth (Natural World) and Paradise (Divine Existence)
Second heaven is the preternatural world -- the world of spirits (angels and demons).
“Daniel, beloved,” he (Archangel Gabriel) said to me, “understand the words which I am speaking to you; stand up, for my mission now is to you.” When he said this to me, I stood up trembling.
... Soon (upon returning to third heaven) I must fight the (angelic) prince of Persia again (while passing through second heaven). When I leave, the (angelic) prince of Greece will come... No one supports me (in my battles) against these (angelic princes of Persia and Greece) except Michael, your prince (guardian angel of Israel; and, guardian and defender of the Church of Jesus Christ). (Daniel 10:11-14;20-21)
God did not spare the angels when they sinned (against Him), but condemned them to the chains of Tartarus (the infernal regions) and handed them over to be kept for judgment. (2 Peter 2:4)
First, St. Michael and his angels cast Archangel Lucifer and the rebellious angels out of third heaven (Paradise).
Then, St. Michael and his angels cast Satan (Fallen Lucifer) and the fallen angels (now demons) out of second heaven.
Then war broke out in (second) heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon. The dragon and its angels fought back, but they did not prevail and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. The huge dragon, the ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, who deceived the whole world, was thrown down to earth (first heaven), and its angels were thrown down with it. (Revelation 12:7-9)
Revelation 12 does not refer to “the fall of the angels” before the creation of man (when these created spirits radically and irrevocably rejected God and His reign). We are now living the 12th chapter of Revelation.
Therefore, rejoice, you heavens, and you who dwell in them. But woe to you, earth and sea, for the Devil has come down to you in great fury, for he knows he has but a short time. (Revelation 12:12)
THIRD HEAVEN _ Paradise (Highest Heaven)
Third heaven is the divine existence -- God's dwelling place (the highest heaven, the place of God's enthronement).
Listen to the petition of your servant and of your people Israel which they offer toward this place. Listen, from the place of your enthronement, heaven, listen and forgive. (1 Kings 8:30)
Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights. Praise him, all you his angels; give praise, all you his hosts. Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all shining stars. Praise him, highest heavens, you waters above the heavens. (Psalm 148:1-4)
So then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God. (Mark 16:19)
I know someone in Christ who, fourteen years ago (whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows), was caught up to the third heaven. And I know that this person (whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows) was caught up into Paradise and heard ineffable things, which no one may utter. (2 Corinthians 2-4)
There are three orders of reality. There is the divine existence. Just below that is the preternatural world, the world of spirits. Then there’s the natural world, where we live. But human beings also participate in the preternatural. Some people are more attuned to the preternatural world. “They kind of sense things better. Things like demons.” _ Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J.
FIRST HEAVEN _ The Earth (and Atmosphere)
For then the anger of the LORD will flare up against you and he will close up the heavens, so that no rain will fall, and the soil will not yield its crops, and you will soon perish from the good land the LORD is giving you. (Deuteronomy 11:17)
First heaven is the natural world -- where human beings live, and also participate in the preternatural world.
SECOND HEAVEN _ Between Earth (Natural World) and Paradise (Divine Existence)
Second heaven is the preternatural world -- the world of spirits (angels and demons).
“Daniel, beloved,” he (Archangel Gabriel) said to me, “understand the words which I am speaking to you; stand up, for my mission now is to you.” When he said this to me, I stood up trembling.
“Do not fear, Daniel,” he continued; “from the first day you made up your mind to acquire understanding and humble yourself before God, your prayer was heard. Because of it I started out (from third heaven, God's dwelling place), but (while passing through second heaven) the (angelic) prince of the kingdom of Persia stood in my way for twenty-one days, until finally (Archangel) Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me. I left him there with the prince of the kingdom of Persia, and came (to first heaven, man's dwelling place) to make you understand what shall happen to your people in the last days; for there is yet a vision concerning those days.”
... Soon (upon returning to third heaven) I must fight the (angelic) prince of Persia again (while passing through second heaven). When I leave, the (angelic) prince of Greece will come... No one supports me (in my battles) against these (angelic princes of Persia and Greece) except Michael, your prince (guardian angel of Israel; and, guardian and defender of the Church of Jesus Christ). (Daniel 10:11-14;20-21)
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God did not spare the angels when they sinned (against Him), but condemned them to the chains of Tartarus (the infernal regions) and handed them over to be kept for judgment. (2 Peter 2:4)
First, St. Michael and his angels cast Archangel Lucifer and the rebellious angels out of third heaven (Paradise).
Then, St. Michael and his angels cast Satan (Fallen Lucifer) and the fallen angels (now demons) out of second heaven.
Then war broke out in (second) heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon. The dragon and its angels fought back, but they did not prevail and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. The huge dragon, the ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, who deceived the whole world, was thrown down to earth (first heaven), and its angels were thrown down with it. (Revelation 12:7-9)
Revelation 12 does not refer to “the fall of the angels” before the creation of man (when these created spirits radically and irrevocably rejected God and His reign). We are now living the 12th chapter of Revelation.
Therefore, rejoice, you heavens, and you who dwell in them. But woe to you, earth and sea, for the Devil has come down to you in great fury, for he knows he has but a short time. (Revelation 12:12)
THIRD HEAVEN _ Paradise (Highest Heaven)
Third heaven is the divine existence -- God's dwelling place (the highest heaven, the place of God's enthronement).
Listen to the petition of your servant and of your people Israel which they offer toward this place. Listen, from the place of your enthronement, heaven, listen and forgive. (1 Kings 8:30)
Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights. Praise him, all you his angels; give praise, all you his hosts. Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all shining stars. Praise him, highest heavens, you waters above the heavens. (Psalm 148:1-4)
So then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God. (Mark 16:19)
I know someone in Christ who, fourteen years ago (whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows), was caught up to the third heaven. And I know that this person (whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows) was caught up into Paradise and heard ineffable things, which no one may utter. (2 Corinthians 2-4)
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Psalm 73 - Sons of Korah
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