Three heavens are three kingdoms where people will live after death: Telestial, Terrestrial, Celestial. I hope my spelling of these three heavens or kingdoms is correct
The three heavens in the Bible refer to: 1) Sky where birds fly or the atmosphere surrounding our planet earth. - Genesis 1:7-8, 20 2) The Stars and Planets (the universe). - Psalm 19:1-6 3) The part of the spirit world where God resides. - 2 Corinthians 12:2-4 The Third Heaven - It appears that Paul (about 41 C.E.) was privileged to experience a supernatural vision so real that he did not know whether it was in the body or out of the body that he was caught away to “the third heaven.” “The third heaven” seems to refer to the superlative degree of the rapture in which he saw the vision. — 2Co 12:1-4 The context does not suggest that “the third heaven” refers to the atmosphere around our globe, nor to outer space or to any parallel universes, as postulated by astrophysicists. The Bible often uses the number three to represent emphasis, intensity, or added strength. (Ecclesiastes 4:12; Isaiah 6:3; Matthew 26:34, 75; Revelation 4:8) Thus, what Paul saw in vision was elevated or exalted. It was spiritual. Whereas some have endeavored to relate Paul’s reference to the third heaven to the early rabbinic view that there were stages of heaven, even a total of “seven heavens,” this view finds no support in the Scriptures. As we have seen, the heavens are not referred to specifically as if divided into platforms or stages, but, rather, the context must be relied upon to determine whether reference is to the heavens within earth’s atmospheric expanse, the heavens of outer space, the spiritual heavens, or something else, evidently for the purpose of expressing an intensification of the quality or idea.
Mormons teach that All people except the sons of perdition (apostates) will inherit salvation in one of three kingdoms of heaven. Hell is only temporary punishment for the wicked.
Only those that are anointed or referred to as the little flock will inherit heaven or become kings & priests with Jesus in that kingdom. The rest who reject Jesus as God’s only means of salvation will simply be eliminated from the chance to gain life. – Matthew 7:13-14; 25:46; Luke 12:32, John 3:36, 14:6 Revelations 14:1-4,
Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthood authority is required to receive saving ordinances necessary to enter the highest heaven. This “authority” is found only in the LDS Church.
The Aaronic Priesthood authority has been replaced by the Melchizedek Priesthood authority held only by Jesus Christ. True salvation is a result of Jesus ransom sacrifice for all mankind. Jesus was the ransom, Jehovah offered the ransom – Matthew 20:28 John 3:16 Hebrews 7:1-4, 11-17; 23-28; Acts 4:12 1Timothy 2:6 1Peter 2:24
As with all my research, it is ongoing and always under construction. So whatever you may be reading, there's a good chance it will change by the time you read it a second time. As I learn more about the Mormon teaching, I will post it and revise what I have written.
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