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Angels & Demons

Companion Study Guide to The Three Heavens

Worthy Publishing Group

Week 1

What Are the Three Heavens?

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Study of Chapter 1 In the three Heavens

We are about to embark on a journey that will take us beyond the First Heaven — what we see with our natural eyes — into the realm of the Second Heaven where Satan and his fallen angels dwell, and ultimately into the Third Heaven where God rules and reigns over the universe, assisted by His innumerable angelic host. — John Hagee, The Three Heavens

Prepare for Week 1

• Read chapter 1, "Mommy, God Is Alive!" in The Three Heavens.

• Optional: Watch "I See Heaven," sermon by Pastor John Hagee, currently online at getv.org.

Key Verse

You alone are the Lord; You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens [more than one], with all their host, the earth and everything on it, the seas and all that is in them, and You preserve them all. The host of heaven worships You. — Nehemiah 9:6

Key Passage From the three Heavens

Most people believe there is only one heaven — the place where God lives with His holy angels. However, the truth is that our God has no limitation on earth or in heaven. He is omnipresent and omnipotent and has universal power and supremacy over all of His creation — which includes all three heavens!

— The Three Heavens,chapter 1

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• Questions for Personal Study •

Chapter 1: "Mommy, God is Alive!"

"I was in heaven, Daddy."

Heaven? Did Jack really die and go to heaven? This only happens in the movies ... not to our boy!

1. Read the story of young Jack's drowning and resuscitation at the beginning of chapter 1 in The Three Heavens. What is your response to the father's question: "Did Jack really die and go to heaven?" Give biblical and logical reasons to support your answer.

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2. According to Jack, what did he see and experience in heaven? Read Jack's report of heaven and make a list below of the things he described to his parents.

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3. Read the following Scripture passages describing heaven. Underline each specific thing and person described to be present there. Then circle all descriptive phrases (starting with "like" or "as").

In My Father's house are many mansions ["big houses"]; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (John 14:2)

And behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald. (Revelation 4:2–3)

The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold ["shiny yellow"], like transparent glass. (Revelation 21:21)

He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun ["big light"], and His clothes became as white as the light. (Matthew 17:2)

4. Compare the verses above to the list of Jack's observations that you made in question #2. Then write out any specific connections you noticed between these four Scripture passages and Jack's description of his experience in heaven.

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5. In what ways did the list you made in response to question #4 support or differ from your answer to question#1?

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6. Based on what you have observed through reading Jack's story and then comparing his description of heaven to Scripture, how would you now answer the doctor's question: "What do you think really took place?" Discuss.

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A Life-Changing Moment

I don't know that everyone believes in miracles, but I still do, and I have the word miracle mentioned by a number of different people in regards to Jackson's experience. — Jack Cleary

MIRACLE

A miracle is defined as "a surprising and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore considered to be the work of a divine agency." "No phenomenon in nature, however unusual, no event in the course of God's providence, however unexpected, is a miracle unless it can be traced to the agency of man (including prayer under the term agency), and unless it be put forth as a proof of divine mission." (See Matthew 12:38–39; 16:1, 4; Mark 8:11; Luke 11:16; 23:8; John 2:11, 18, 23; Acts 6:8.)

In what ways did you perceive Jack's astounding physical recovery and supernatural experiences to be considered a miracle?

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What Lies Beyond

We are about to embark on a journey that will take us beyond the First Heaven — what we see with our natural eyes — into the realm of the Second Heaven where Satan and his fallen angels dwell, and ultimately into the Third Heaven where God rules and reigns over the universe, assisted by His innumerable angelic host.

1. Read the above quote from The Three Heavens book and write out the brief description of each of the Three Heavens:

First Heaven

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Second Heaven

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Third Heaven

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2. Read the following Scripture verses and circle the word "heavens" in each one:

I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained. (Psalm 8:3)

"Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!" (Acts 7:56)

You alone are the Lord; You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and everything on it, the seas and all that is in them, and You preserve them all. The host of heaven worships You. (Nehemiah 9:6)

3. Why is it significant that these verses use the plural form, heavens? What did you learn about the heavens in these verses? Make a list below of your observations. Be specific.

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HEAVENS

The usual Hebrew word translated "heavens" is shamayim, This is a plural noun meaning "heights" or "elevations" (Genesis 1:1; 2:1). The Hebrew word marom, also plural, is sometimes used as equivalent to shamayim, meaning "high places" or "heights" (Psalm 68:18; 93:4; 102:19.)

The Heavens

Read the section entitled "The Heavens" of The Three Heavens and then answer the questions below.

1. Where is the First Heaven located?

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2. Read Genesis 15:5 and Deuteronomy 4:19. According to these verses, what things can we observe in the First Heaven? What is our natural response to seeing these celestial objects? What was one of God's purposes in creating the First Heaven?

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3. What beings are present in the Second Heaven? Who has his "throne" and "rules" there?

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4. Revelation 12:4 is a prophetic passage. According to this verse, what percentage of the angels ("stars of heaven") is present in the Second Heaven with Satan ("the dragon")?

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5. Who lives in the Third Heaven? Who "rules" from His "throne" there?

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6. Read Hebrews 8:1. Who is the "High Priest" mentioned in this verse? (Compare to Ephesians 1:20.) Who is the "Majesty in the heavens"? What this verse reveal to you about the Third Heaven?

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For more information about the Bible's teaching on each of the Three Heavens, turn to part 2 of this study guide and read chapter 9: "The Word of God and the Three Heavens."

So Much to Come

Use the word heaven and it evokes images of a paradise, a place of eternal bliss and perfect happiness ... but there is so much more!

1. What images come to your mind when you hear the word "heaven"?

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2. How does the idea of heaven make you feel? (Examples include excited, expectant, hopeful, or apprehensive, fearful, worried.)

The truth is that our God has no limitation on earth or in heaven. He is omnipresent and omnipotent and has universal power and supremacy over all of His creation — which includes all three heavens!

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3. In what ways does the understanding of God's supremacy over all three heavens affect your feelings about your personal concept of heaven? Since God has unlimited power over all His creation, how does that affect your eternal destiny?

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4. As you conclude this week's study, read 1 Kings 8:27 aloud:

Will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You.

5. Based on your study of The Three Heavens so far, what is significant to you about the verse above? How many heavens are referenced in this verse? What does this verse teach us about God?

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• Questions for Group Discussion •

1. Upon hearing the story of young Jack's drowning and supernatural experiences, Mrs. Hagee responded, "I believe Jackson saw heaven and spoke to Jesus." Do you agree or disagree with that statement? Why? What aspects of Jack's story were significant or stood out to you? Did your careful study of Jack's experience in this chapter, compared to the Bible's description of heaven, affect your opinion of heaven in any way?

2. Consider the following statement from Dr. Sam Zuckerman, the pediatric intensive care specialist who attended to young Jack in the ER and later recounted Jack's experience: "I have often thought of Jackson. Perhaps he was brought back to awaken all of us to God's wonder and grace." In what specific ways did Jack's experience affect your perspective of God's "wonder and grace"? How were you personally influenced by Jack's story?

3. Discuss the descriptions of each of the Three Heavens that you learned this week. What was your reaction to discovering that the Bible teaches there is more than one heaven? What questions do you still have about any of the Three Heavens? For further reference, discuss any insights you learned by reading chapter 9 of this study guide: "The Word of God and the Three Heavens."

4. Before you began this study, what images came to your mind when you heard the word heaven? What images come to your mind now that you have studied the Bible's teaching on heaven in more detail? Discuss as a group: what do you hope to learn as a result of your study of The Three Heavens?

Pray

Heavenly Father, thank You for the power and the majesty of Your creation. The earth is Your footstool, and You have strategically placed every star in the heavens. We are humbled by Your handiwork. Lord, grant us wisdom and discernment as we read Your precious Word. We ask this in the authority of Your name. Amen.

Action Points

1. Go to chapter 9 of this study guide and read out loud the Scripture verses describing the Three Heavens.

2. Jack's story underscores that our life here on earth can be suddenly taken away in a single moment. James 4:14 says, "For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away." If the "vapor" of your life were to vanish today, would you be ready to stand before God? What spiritual preparation have you made for your eternal future? Are there any habits, thoughts, or actions in your life that you need to change in order to be ready to stand before God? If so, confess those sins to God and commit to walking in the light of His truth.

3. Consider the following statement: The Bible teaches that each of us will spend eternity in one of two places: the "highest of heavens" with our Redeemer (Isaiah 57:15), or in hell with Satan, the Prince of Darkness (Psalm 9:17). If you were to die today, what would your eternal destination be? How do you know? If you have not yet trusted Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins and assurance of your eternity with Him in the Third Heaven, don't wait! Do it today.

Week 2

Creation: The First Heaven

Study of Chapters 2–3 in the Three Heavens

God has clearly revealed through Scripture, science, and the events of history that He will use the First Heaven as His own high-definition billboard declaring the things to come. — John Hagee, The Three Heavens

Prepare for Week 2

• Read chapter 2, "The Heaven We See" in The Three Heavens.

• Read chapter 3, "Journey into the Supernatural" in The Three Heavens.

Key Verse

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. ... Then God said, "Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years; and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth"; and it was so. Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also. God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth, and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. — Genesis 1:1, 14–18

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Excerpted from Angels & Demons by JOHN HAGEE. Copyright © 2015 John Hagee. Excerpted by permission of Worthy Publishing Group.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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