Are There Different Levels Of Heaven?

Are there different levels to heaven? Do these levels have anything to do with eternal rewards?

The Three Heavens

Paul once wrote “I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows” (2nd Cor 12:2) and assume that there are at least three different levels to heaven. There are actually three heavens that we know of but we are talking about our perspective being from down here on earth. In Dante’s The Divine Comedy, he described heaven and hell as having at least nine different levels but that is not scriptural at all. From a biblical viewpoint, there are three heavens; the sky where the clouds and birds are; there is, outer space where the moon, the sun, and the stars reside; and then there is the heaven where God’s throne is at. These first two heavens we can see but the last heaven, the one where God is at, is invisible, at least for now. These three levels of heaven have nothing to do with eternal rewards however. There are degrees of rewards but there are also degrees of punishment in hell, as we will read, but they have nothing to do with the physical environment.

Degrees of Punishment

Just as some will receive greater and some will receive lesser rewards in heaven, so some will receive greater and some will receive lesser punishment in hell just as Jesus insinuated in Luke 20:47 that for those who “devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.” Elsewhere, Jesus clarified that the “servant who knew his master’s will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required” (Luke 12:47-48). That’s why “It will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for” (Matt 11:22) Korazin and Bethsaida (Matt 11:21) because they religious leadership saw Jesus and His miracles and teachers will receive a stricter judgment (James 3:1). Since they are without excuse (Rom 1:20) the religious leaders will receive a greater degree of punishment because they knew that Jesus fulfilled the prophecies of the Messiah and they were the teachers of the Law but just as those who receive a greater punishment, so will those who are the children of God will receive greater rewards according to what they’ve done in the body here on earth (2nd Cor 5:10) if done for the glory of God.

Degrees of Rewards

Paul, in writing to the church at Corinth said “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil” (2nd Cor 5:20). What is it that is “due” what’s “done in the body” that Paul is writing about? Paul was confident that they knew “that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do” (Eph 6:8) and since all “people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment” (Heb 9:27), everyone will appear before the Lord; both the saved and the lost. To both God “will render to each one according to his works” (Rom 2:6). For the believer in Christ, “the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matt 25:34) because “whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matt 25:40). This means that Jesus will tell you “Well done thou good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master’” (Matt 25:21). This servant of Christ who was set “over much” was a “good” (as in obedience and trying to live a holy life) “and faithful (faithful in their devotion to Christ’s will, for His glory) servant.” Over such a man or woman, Jesus “will put him (or her) in charge of all his (Jesus’) possessions” (Matt 24:47).

For those who have repented and trusted in Christ, the King will say “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness” (Matt 25:23). Jesus said “I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me” (Luke 22:29). Tragically to those who rejected Christ and claimed a disbelief in God, Jesus “will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers” (Matt 7:23)!

The Principle of Rewards

What are the rewards based upon? If it’s done to be seen and told to others, then that’s all the reward you’ll get because Jesus said if it’s to be seen by others, “they have received their reward” already (Matt 6:2). Even if it’s praying “on the street corners to be seen by others, [Jesus says] they have received their reward in full” (Matt 6:5) so “do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing” (Matt 6:3) which possibly means forget about it. Don’t try to remember the good you did or God will forget it; forget it and God will remember it; and reward it! If anything is done for the glory of God alone, that will be rewarded. Anything done for the self will burn up like wood, hay, or stubble at the judgment seat of Christ. Here is the clearest way to show the principle of rewards. Paul writes “Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire” (1st Cor 3:12-15). Gold, silver, and precious stones glorify God; wood, hay, and straw burn up and are lost. The fire cannot destroy gold or silver, but only refine it. Fire destroys all works done to be seen as wood, hay, and straw are burned to ashes.

Conclusion

If you are a child of God, then you have already had your sins judged at the cross. Your next encounter with Jesus will be your King dispensing or withholding rewards to you. Some will receive greater rewards while others, as Dr. J. Vernon McGee once said some will be saved “but smell like they came out of a fire sale.” Shouldn’t that make you passionate to want to rescue “others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh” (Jude 1:23)? For all those who’ve never repented and trusted in Christ, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb 10:31).

Article by Jack Wellman

Jack Wellman is Pastor of the Mulvane Brethren church in Mulvane Kansas. Jack is also the Senior Writer at What Christians Want To Know whose mission is to equip, encourage, and energize Christians and to address questions about the believer’s daily walk with God and the Bible. You can follow Jack on Google Plus or check out his book Teaching Children the Gospel available on Amazon.