The true nature of this world has been hidden from us for countless generations. We no longer see creation as our ancestors did. We have become complacent, believing ourselves to be more advanced in reasoning and understanding while being conditioned to accept whatever the media tells us. From an early age, we are taught not to question authority, leaving many blind to alternative perspectives. This is why those who believe in the biblical cosmological model are often ridiculed, despite dedicating countless hours to studying books, articles, and videos, and even conducting experiments.
I have previously explored the biblical creation model but felt compelled to return to shed light on the heavens, often referred to as the firmament. Initially, I believed the firmament was a singular structure. However, further investigation revealed that the heavens consist of seven distinct firmaments, each with a unique purpose.
What Is the Firmament? A Biblical Cosmology Perspective
“And Elohim said, “Let an expanse come to be in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” And Elohim made the expanse, and separated the waters which were under the expanse from the waters which were above the expanse. And it came to be so. And Elohim called the expanse ‘heavens.’ And there came to be evening and there came to be morning, the second day.” (Genesis 1:6-8)
The word translated as "expanse" in the TS2009 version of Scripture is raqiya, which refers to something solid and expansive—rendered as "firmament" in other translations. Notably, the use of the plural form of "heavens" provides our first indication in Scripture that there is more than one distinct realm above us.
“Can you, with him, spread out the sky, which is strong as a cast metal mirror?” (Job 37:18)
The Physical Properties of the Heavens
“And thereupon we saw His works, and praised Him, and lauded before Him on account of all His works; for seven great works did He create on the first day. And on the second day He created the firmament in the midst of the waters, and the waters were divided on that day -half of them went up above and half of them went down below the firmament (that was) in the midst over the face of the whole earth. And this was the only work Elohim created on the second day.” (Jubilees 2:3-4)
“Again, on the second day, you created the spirit of the firmament and commanded it to divide and separate the waters, so that one part might move upward and the other part remain beneath.” (2 Edras 6:41)
“Praise Yah! Praise יהוה from the heavens, Praise Him in the heights! Praise Him, all His messengers; Praise Him, all His hosts! Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all you stars of light! Praise Him, heavens of heavens, And you waters above the heavens!” (Psalms 148:1-4)
The scriptures above affirm that the heavens possess tangible, physical properties, as they are described as holding back the waters separated during the creation of the world. These very waters, along with those from the deep, were unleashed during the great flood, overwhelming the earth.
“In the six hundredth year of Noaḥ’s life, in the second new moon, the seventeenth day of the moon, on that day all the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of the heavens were opened.” (Genesis 7:11)
Heaven as the Dwelling Place of the Most High
“And the Dwelling Place of Elohim was opened in the heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His Dwelling Place. And there came to be lightnings, and voices, and thunders, and an earthquake, and great hail.” (Revelation 11:19)
“Who is building His upper room in the heavens, and has founded His firmament on the earth, who is calling for the waters of the sea, and pours them out on the face of the earth – יהוה is His Name.” (Amos 9:6)
Heaven is not an abstract, intangible concept existing only in our imagination. This misconception arose largely due to modern ‘science’ promoting a cosmological model that contradicts biblical accounts. In truth, heaven is both spiritual and physical, a real and tangible realm. The true Temple also resides in the heavens, serving as the dwelling place of the Most High.
“And another messenger came out of the Dwelling Place which is in the heaven, and he too held a sharp sickle.” (Revelation 14:17)
“And after this I looked and saw the Dwelling Place of the Tent of Witness in the heaven was opened. And out of the Dwelling Place came the seven messengers having the seven plagues, dressed in clean bright linen, and having their chests girded with golden bands.” (Revelation 15:5-6)
“For if indeed He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the Torah, who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly, as Mosheh was warned when he was about to make the Tent. For He said, “See that you make all according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” (Hebrews 8:4-5)
The Tent of Appointment, the Tabernacle, and the Temple are all models of the ones in Heaven.
“Yah is in His set-apart Hĕḵal, The throne of יהוה is in the heavens. His eyes see, His eyelids examine the sons of men.” (Psalms 11:4)
Yah’s throne is seated in the heavens.
“Now the summary of what we are saying is: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Greatness in the heavens, and who serves in the set-apart place and of the true Tent, which יהוה set up, and not man.” (Hebrews 8:1-2)
Yeshua serves as the High Priest in the heavenly Temple, seated at the right hand of the throne of El Shaddai. This is not a metaphysical concept devoid of substance but a tangible and real existence within the heavenly realm.
The Seven Layers of Heaven
“Hear, then, concerning the seven heavens. The lowest is for this cause more gloomy, in that it is near all the iniquities of men. The second hath fire, snow, ice, ready for the day of the ordinance of YHWH, in the righteous judgment of Elohim: in it are all the spirits of the retributions for vengeance on the wicked. In the third are the hosts of the armies which are ordained for the day of judgment, to work vengeance on the spirits of deceit and of Beliar. And the heavens up to the fourth above these are holy, for in the highest of all dwelleth the Great Glory, in the holy of holies, far above all holiness. In the heaven next to it are the angels of the presence of YHWH, who minister and make propitiation to the YHWH for all the ignorances of the righteous; and they offer to YHWH a reasonable sweet-smelling savor, and a bloodless offering. And in the heaven below this are the angels who bear the answers to the angels of the presence of YHWH. And in the heaven next to this are thrones, dominions, in which hymns are ever offered to Elohim. Therefore, whenever YHWH looketh upon us, all of us are shaken; yea, the heavens, and the earth, and the abysses, are shaken at the presence of His majesty; but the sons of men, regarding not these things, sin, and provoke the Most High.” (The Testament of Levi Section 3)
“And while he was yet speaking, the expanses opened, and there below me were the heavens, and I saw upon the seventh firmament upon which I stood a fire widely extended, and the light which is the treasury of life, and the dew with which Elohim will awaken the dead, and the spirits of the departed righteous, and the spirits of those souls who have yet to be born, and judgment and righteousness, peace and blessing, and an innumerable company of angels, and the Living Ones, and the Power of the Invisible Glory that sat above the Living Ones. And I looked downwards from the mountain on which I stood to the sixth firmament, and there I saw a multitude of angels of pure spirit, without bodies, whose duty was to carry out the commands of the fiery angels who were upon the seventh firmament, as I was standing suspended over them. And behold, upon this sixth firmament there were no other powers of any form, save only the angels of pure spirit. And He commanded that the sixth firmament should be removed from my sight, and I saw there on the fifth firmament the powers of the stars which carry out the commands laid upon them, and the elements of the earth obeyed them.” (The Apocalypse of Abraham 25-27)
Levi details seven layers of the heavens, seven firmament layers, each with its own purpose.
The 7th Heaven- Dwelling place of the Most High and His son.
The 6th Heaven- Angels of the Presence, their Temple, and their homes.
The 5th Heaven- The stars and the Angels who bear answers to the Angels of the Presence.
The 4th Heaven- Thrones and Dominions in which hymns are ever offered to the Father.
The 3rd Heaven- Paradise, New Jerusalem, Mount Zion, Holy City, Kingdom of Elohim, the restored garden of Eden, the Sun and Moon, and the Angel armies ordained for the Day of Judgment.
The 2nd Heaven- Fire, snow, and ice, prepared for the Day of Yah.
The 1st Heaven- Waters.
Insights from Paul
With this deeper understanding of the heavens and their distinct characteristics, we can better comprehend Paul's account of the man who was caught up to the third heaven.
“I know a man in Messiah who fourteen years ago – whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, Elohim knows – such a one was caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man – whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, Elohim knows –that he was caught up into paradise and heard unspeakable words, which it is not right for a man to speak.” (2 Corinthians 12:2-4)
Paul’s words also support the accounts in The Testament of Levi and The Apocalypse of Abraham, as his description of the third heaven housing paradise aligns seamlessly with these writings.
A Cosmic Conclusion
The journey to understanding the heavens, the firmament, and the true nature of creation is as vast and layered as the heavens themselves. The scriptures and ancient texts offer glimpses into a cosmic design that speaks to both the physical and spiritual realities of Elohim’s handiwork. While we may never uncover every mystery, the pursuit of truth deepens our faith and broadens our understanding of Yah’s infinite wisdom.
Through collaboration and the sharing of insights, we can challenge preconceived notions, rediscover lost truths, and grow closer to the Creator. Let us remain steadfast in our search for knowledge, testing all things with discernment and humility. May Yah light your path and grant you wisdom as you continue to seek Him in all things.
“O hear me, you who created the earth, the one who fixed the firmament by the Word and fastened the height of heaven by the Ruach, the one who in the beginning of the world called that which did not yet exist and they obeyed you.” (2 Baruch 21:4)
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