Word of the Day: Heaven

As it is most commonly used, the term Heaven refers to where God dwells. Biblically, it can mean one of three places, depending on how it was used in scripture:

The First heaven--the atmosphere (Genesis 1:20)

The Second heaven--outer space (Psalms 19:1)

The Third Heaven--where God dwells (2 Corinthians 12:2-4)

Heaven is often confused with Paradise. However, in examining the Greek text the New Testament was originally written in, these are two different places; 

Ouranos is Heaven, the abode of God, as in John 3:13; 

And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

Paradeiso is paradise, where the souls of the righteous went after death (before Jesus' resurrection), as in Luke 23:43;

And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

In some verses, Paradise and Heaven are used interchangeably, as in Revelation 2:7; 

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.