Q #1:     …about the three heavens. In technical terms, they are the atmospheric heaven that is called the “troposphere”; the space above it is called the atmosphere most known as the space that surrounds the earth holding our oxygen supply. See James 5:18, Genesis 6:7, Hebrews 4:14, or Matthew 6:26. 

Immediately above the first heaven is called Celestial Heaven – The Second Heaven. This is what is best known as outer space. It holds our stars, sun, moon, and other planets. See Deuteronomy 4:19. 

The third heaven is the Heaven of all three heavens. The highest heaven belongs to the Lord your God, also the earth with all that is in it (Deuteronomy 10:14). All three heavens belong to God. He can occupy any of these three at any time but the home base for Trinity is third heaven. See Hebrews 8:1, Acts 9:24, Acts 7:24. 

There are angels in the third heaven. They are in what is called the courtyard singing praises and exalting God. Refer to Revelation 7:11, 5:11, Ezekiel 1:12-20. 

 Q#2       How many New Testament books were written and studied before Christ’s crucifixion?  

NONE! Most New Church Christians studied the Book of Isaiah and heard the witness of the Disciples who observed the crucifixion or directly knew about it. Even the Eunuch situation of Ethiopia was introduced to the eventual meaning of the New Testament gospels by Philip via the Book of Isaiah. All New Testament books were written AFTER Jesus’ crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. Other theologians, including myself, believe the first New Testament Book was written by Mark, not Matthew. See Acts 8:26-40. 

Ephesians 4:9&10 (NKJV) 

What Bible are you using? There is nothing in these two verses that suggests there is a “THEY”. Ephesians 4:9 (Now this, “HE ASCENDED”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? (NKJV) 

Ephesians 4:10 He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)  (NKJV) 

It is all about Christ in verses 9 & 10, not a “they” can be found in the Greek. Hades/Sheol is a sort of holding tank for unbelievers. That is, in contrast to Paradise which is the holding tank for believers until after the New Heavens and New Earth including the Millennial Reign of God/Christ. LOOK seriously at verses 11 and 12… Ephesians 4:11 To some were made prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,  

Verse 12… for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. 

In the Hebrew Scriptures, the word used to describe the realm of the dead is sheol. It simply means “the place of the dead” or “the place of departed souls/spirits.” It is not a specified place of the dead, but means that person is no longer a body with a soul.  The soul has departed but still exists. The New Testament Greek equivalent to Shaol is Hades. Neither is the “hell” referenced in scripture. A pretty good brief on this is found in https://www.gotquestions.org/sheol-hades-hell.html. Cut and paste this web page for a short but good description of your question and beyond. It is only on the Day of Judgement that HELL becomes an actuality. Even Hades is tossed into the Lake of Fire. 

Rev. Dr. Jstark –2024