THE THREE HEAVENS

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.

“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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PSYCHIC GIFTS AND DIVINATION

Many people believe that everyone has natural “psychic abilities” to some extent. And they believe these (alleged) natural abilities can be enhanced through practices like meditation (the emptying of the mind of thoughts -- which leaves one open).

“You may find that the special sensitivity provided by ‘self-hypnosis’ is an aid to achieving your goals by psychic means.” _ a practicing psychic

Does everyone have natural “psychic abilities” to some extent?
-OR-
Are some people more “spiritually sensitive” than others?

We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the things freely given us by God. And we speak about them not with words taught by human wisdom, but with words taught by the Spirit, describing spiritual realities in spiritual terms. (1 Corinthians 2:12-13) 


There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit. To one is given through the Spirit the expression of wisdom; to another the expression of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit; to another mighty deeds; to another prophecy; to another discernment of spirits; to another varieties of tongues; to another interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit produces all of these, distributing them individually to each person as he wishes. (1 Corinthians 12:4-11)

AND THEN THERE ARE “PSYCHIC GIFTS” 

“Psychic gifts” do not come from God, the Holy Spirit. Psychic gifts are “counterfeit gifts” that come from Satan! And working with any kind of “psychic gift” opens a door (portal) to the demonic!

Many “psychics” are high-level Occultists!

There was a “psychic medium” (Michelle Belanger) who regularly appeared on the television program, Paranormal State (A&E) -- and her “psychic gifts” are very real.

“Where do her ‘psychic gifts’ come from?”
Her psychic gifts come from the Devil!

“And no wonder,
for even Satan masquerades as 

an angel of light.”

(2 Corinthians 11:14)

Although this “psychic medium” appears to be amazingly accurate… it is important to note that she is a real-life “vampire” (a sub-culture shrouded in secrecy). She is the foundress of House Kheperu with the motto, “Seek Your Own Truth.” She has been seduced by the Devil -- and now leads others astray. 

Lorraine Warren (“The Conjuring”) calls herself a “natural” psychic. The truth is, Lorraine Warren is a “clairvoyant” psychic. Her psychic abilities are not “natural.” (Each time Lorraine Warren uses her psychic gift, “it takes a piece of her.” Each time I use my spiritual gifts, I experience the Power of Pentecost!) 


“A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a rotten tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. So by their fruits you will know them.”  (Matthew 7:18-20)

“Clairvoyant” psychics use divination to “see” into the past, present or future. “Clairaudient” psychics use divination to “hear.” “Clairsentient” psychics use divination to “feel.”

“I received information by seeing, which means I saw movies playing in my mind. When someone came to me for psychic counseling, I could see events in their life flashing before me and knew many things about them -- personal things.” _ a former clairvoyant psychic

Mediums are psychics who (allegedly) receive information by “channeling” spirits of the dead, allowing them to communicate through them. Most psychic mediums are frauds; but when channeling is successful, you are communicating with evil spirits (demons) “pretending” to be spirits of the dead!

“We know that these spirits are not of God. God is not channeled. Nor are the saints, angels or souls of the deceased. For people who dabble in the Occult, the end result is darkness, confusion and, often despair.” _ Fr. Lawrence Gesy, Archdiocese of Baltimore


DIVINATION IS CONDEMNED BY GOD 

“When you come into the land which the LORD, your God, is giving you, you shall not learn to imitate the abominations of the peoples there. Let there not be found among you anyone who immolates his son or daughter in the fire, [Let there not be found among you anyone who ritually kills and offers his/her son or daughter as a blood sacrifice to the Devil. (Moloch is the demon of child murder, the ancient abortion demon.)] nor a fortune-teller, soothsayer, charmer, diviner, or caster of spells (divination and black magic), nor one who consults ghosts and spirits or seeks oracles from the dead (necromancy). Anyone who does such things is an abomination to the LORD, and because of such abominations the LORD, your God, is driving these nations out of your way.” (Deuteronomy 18:9-12)

All forms of divination are to be rejected: recourse to Satan or demons, conjuring up the dead or other practices falsely supposed to “unveil” the future. Consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens and lots, the phenomena of clairvoyance, and recourse to mediums all conceal a desire for power over time, history, and, in the last analysis, other human beings, as well as a wish to conciliate hidden powers. They contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear that we owe to God alone. (Catechism of the Catholic Church #2116)

“Do not go to mediums or consult fortune-tellers, for you will be defiled by them. I, the LORD, am your God.”  (Leviticus 19:31)

“Should anyone turn to mediums and fortune-tellers and follow their wanton ways, I will turn against such a one and cut him off from his people.” (Leviticus 20:6)


“Behind the Church’s attitude toward Spiritualism (Spiritism) is the concern that a Catholic would expose himself to the risk of actually dealing with the evil spirit. The assumption is that if fraud or deception are excluded, and manifestations occur that are beyond natural explanation, the active agent in these cases is neither God nor any one of the good spirits (whether angelic or human) but demonic forces that are sure to mislead the Catholic and endanger the integrity of his faith.” _ Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J.

“Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for (someone) to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)

“The light of Satan (clairvoyance) had invaded me due to my disobedience (to God). [Deuteronomy 18:10-13] When I realized that these powers were not from God, I repented.” _ Fabienne Guerrero, former clairvoyant

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