The Bible mentions three different heavens.  What are they exactly?

The Earth’s Atmosphere

The first heaven, in terms of distance from us, is the earth’s atmosphere.  It’s where clouds form and from where rain falls.  Here are some Scriptural examples of this heaven.

Luke 4:25  “But I tell you truly, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a great famine throughout all the land;

Luke 17:24  “For as the lightning that flashes out of one part under heaven shines to the other part under heaven, so also the Son of Man will be in His day.

Luke 17:29  “but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all.

Rev 11:6  These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire.

Outer Space

The second heaven, in terms of distance from us, is outer space.  It’s were the stars are.  Here are some Scriptural examples of this heaven.

Mat 24:29  “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

2 Pet 3:10  But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.

Rev 6:13  And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind.

God’s Throne

The third heaven, in terms of distance from us, is the throne of God.  It’s where God is.  Here are some Scriptural examples of this heaven.

Mat 5:34  “But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne;

Acts 7:49  ‘Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. What house will you build for Me? says the LORD, Or what is the place of My rest?

Paul referred to this heaven as the third heaven.

2 Cor 12:2  I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago; whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows; such a one was caught up to the third heaven.

This heaven is also the place where our reward is stored.

Mat 5:12  “Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Mat 6:20  “but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

Mat 19:21  Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

Our inheritance is reserved in heaven.

1 Pet 1:4  to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,

Our names are written in this heaven.

Luke 10:20  “Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

Heb 12:23  to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect,

Our citizenship is in heaven.

Phil 3:20  For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

The Father is in heaven.

Mat 5:16  “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Mat 5:48  “Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Jesus Christ is in heaven.

Heb 8:1  Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens,

1 Pet 3:21  There is also an antitype which now saves us; baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
1 Pet 3:22  who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.

Angels are also in heaven.

Mat 18:10  “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.

Mat 22:30  “For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven.

Luke 22:43  Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.

Gal 1:8  But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.

Footnote

The saints who have died are not in heaven as no one has ascended to heaven except Jesus Christ. 

John 3:13  “No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.

Acts 2:34  “For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself: ‘The LORD said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand,