Windows into the Third Heaven: A Look at How "Hidden Treasures" of the Bible Are Revealed and the "Mystery" Surrounding the Number 3

By Joanne Carraway

In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight. (Luke 10: 21)

The Bible is a book of hidden treasures purposefully designed so by our God. Many of these hidden treasures are complex, yet they can be understood by ordinary people. Jesus likened this group of people to babes. One of the meanings of babes in Greek is simple-minded.

God desires to open the windows of heaven and reveal the secrets of His Holy Word to you. If you consider yourself inept or too simple-minded to understand, then all the better! You are just Gods type, and yes, Hes looking for you. He will reveal to you even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory (1 Corinthians 2:7). Need more proof? Look at what God promises in Revelation 2:17:

To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna.

May you begin to eat of this hidden manna as you read Windows into the Third Heaven, and may this book be graciously used by the Spirit of God to whet your appetite for more.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Apr 3, 2012
• ISBN: 9781449743833

Joanne Carraway

JOANNE CARRAWAY was named Miss Mississippi, International Country Gospel Music Association during her years of Gospel Music Ministry. As the duo Country Praise, she and daughter Bree were awarded the ICGMA Gold Cross Duo of the Year. Joanne was later inducted into the 1997 ICGMA Hall of Fame in Texas. She was honored to teach at the Christian Country Music Association Convention, World Baptist Center, in Nashville and at the Branson, Missouri-based Country Gospel Music Association Convention held in Brinkley, Arkansas. She also provided weekly Bible teaching programs broadcast over local AM and FM radio stations in Mississippi. Windows Into The Third Heaven was written in response to audience members requesting a book relative to these teachings.

Book preview

Contents

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

PREFACE

A Little Lengthy But Very Necessary Reading

INTRODUCTION

What this Book is Not About

Chapter 1

Three Essential Keys

Chapter 2

The Meaning of the Number 3 in the Scriptures

Chapter 3

The Three Heavens

Chapter 4

Significant Old Testament Threes

Chapter 5

The Tabernacle of Moses and the Number 3

Chapter 6

Other Threes in the Tabernacle

Chapter 7

The Three Metals

Chapter 8

The First Three of the New Testament

Chapter 9

The New Testament Three Measures of Meal

Chapter 10

The New Testament Three To Which It All Pointed

Chapter 11

The Holy Bible and Proof of Divine Authorship

Chapter 12

Conclusion

Jesus: Who is He and What did He do?

AFTERWORD

EPILOGUE

ENDNOTES

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

First and foremost, my husband, David, and I give thanks and praise to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Who leads His sheep by His Word into all truth for His Name’s sake. Without the inspiration of His Holy Spirit, which quickens all Scripture, none of us could see anything of the Kingdom of God.

Secondly, we give thanks to God for leading us to the following three families who have been used to teach and admonish us:

   International evangelist, author, and speaker Howard O. Pittman has shared volumes of insight into the realities of the Second Heaven. His near-death experience has inspired us to continue in the faith and to strive for the faith that was once delivered unto the saints. Thank you, Brother Pittman, and your special helpmeet, Joyce. Both of you are treasures to us!

   Pastor Kenneth Worley has shown us that we must be rooted and grounded in the Word of God. We are truly indebted to Brother Worley and his wife, Faye, for their instruction in the Scriptures and their many faithful years of service in ministry. You both made the dunamis of God so very real to us!

   Paul and Jan Crouch, whom we have never met, have been there for us through their television ministry of the Trinity Broadcasting Network. They have proved to us and countless others that God will do great miracles in the natural, as well as the supernatural, to accomplish His Will.

These three special families have dramatically impacted our walk with Christ and have truly affected us for all Eternity! Additionally, we have listened to many other preachers, evangelists, and teachers who paid the price to hear from Heaven. Thank you, precious laborers in the Lord’s fields. As for me, this once little lost lamb will be forever grateful!

Our journey has been a thrilling learning experience and, God willing, it’s not quite over yet. One thing is certain: we still have so much to learn, for the wells of God’s Holy Word are seemingly as deep and infinite as He is!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Joanne Carraway and her husband, David, have always considered their role in the Body of Christ as one of a ministry of helps. In their earlier years, David served as associate pastor of New Philadelphian Church in Columbia, Mississippi, which was founded by the international author, speaker, and evangelist Howard O. Pittman. David later served as interim pastor for New Beginning Church, a nondenominational church also located in Columbia. He currently is a software developer and owns a successful national utility billing software company.

Joanne has edited two of Evangelist Pittman’s international best sellers: Placebo and Demons, An Eyewitness Account. These books have circled the globe, with several hundred thousand copies having been distributed! Currently in their 12th printing, Placebo and Demons, An Eyewitness Account have been published in 18 languages. Most recently, the nation of Japan has begun printing and disseminating these books.

A former public school teacher, Joanne holds a Bachelor of Science degree in education with highest honors from the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg. Additionally, she holds a Master’s degree in education with highest honors from William Carey University, also in Hattiesburg. During her teaching career, she assisted in designing curriculum for the public schools of Mississippi and has taught numerous staff development classes to her fellow teachers. Her family holds a record in the state with three members having been elected to the office of superintendent of education (her father and two brothers). Immediate family members have accumulated over 200 years of service to the public schools of Jefferson Davis County. Of this record Joanne says, When you were born or married into this family, it was a given: You were expected to teach and serve. She says her father, Dennis Fortenberry, put the principles of the Scriptures to work in his position of superintendent without being overtly religious.

Joanne comments, For example, in his day he formulated the only school desegregation plan in the southeastern United States approved by the US Department of Justice and therefore the only public school district that was not court ordered to desegregate. He knew that segregation was morally wrong and that the time had come. His compassion for lower-income families and hungry children led him to develop the reduced and free-lunch programs as well as implement the breakfast program. He was eventually flown to Washington, D.C., to receive a commendation for his achievements from the President. It was a defining moment in his forty-three years of service and in my life, she shares. I came to realize that my dad had done the works of Christ right where God had sovereignly placed him: in the fields of the world.

Utilizing her teaching background, Joanne has taught the Bible to all age groups. She also had her own radio program of Biblical teachings on AM and FM Gospel Radio in Mississippi. A highlight of her ministry was teaching the morning devotionals for the Christian Country Music Association’s Convention in Nashville at the World Baptist Center in 1996. Later, she taught at the national convention in Brinkley, Arkansas, for The Country Gospel Music Association of Branson, Missouri. Many of her teachings/devotionals have been published in area secular publications such as The Columbian Progress and The Prentiss Headlight. During her years of Gospel Music ministry, she had a long-running column in The U.S. Gospel News of Jonesboro, Arkansas. She currently serves as a community columnist for the Hattiesburg American, a Gannett newspaper publication in Mississippi with a daily circulation of approximately 16,000. The Hattiesburg American hosts a World Wide Web presence at www.hattiesburgamerican.com where Joanne’s current and archived articles may be viewed online.

A prolific composer of Gospel Music (she has two nationally produced albums to her credit), she uses her teachings in her music. Her first release to radio was Even the Night, adapted from Psalm 139:11. The song, performed by Joanne and daughter Bree as Country Praise, went to number thirteen on the national Christian Country Music charts in 1993. The duo was later awarded the International Country Gospel Music Association’s Gold Cross Duo of the Year. Joanne was honored and humbled to be named Miss Mississippi International Country Gospel Music and chosen for the International Country Gospel Music Association’s highest honor, the Hall of Fame.

Joanne and David Carraway make their home in Hattiesburg and are lovingly cared for by their Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie breed), Sirron’s Shekinah, better known as Harley. They are the parents of two grown children and, most importantly, they are Mee Maw and Pee Paw to three beautiful grandchildren ages six, twelve, and thirteen.

PREFACE

A Little Lengthy

But Very Necessary Reading

This book has been a long time in the making. Frankly, I would have felt more confident writing it about twenty-five years ago when memory served me much better (i.e., when my estrogen levels were higher!) However, I’ve come to understand that God is not one whit interested in how much confidence I have in myself. He is, though, obsessively interested in my confidence being placed supremely in Him—in being my God as I journey through this life; in letting me experience the ups, downs, good, bad, and ugly; and in letting me learn that He is the stabilizing, peace-sustaining force in a Christian’s life—the only One worthy of such confidence.

I don’t know if you ever had this problem, but my theology in my earlier years was just that—my theology and not His. It was such a comfortable, lovable theology because it allowed me to at least think that I was maintaining some semblance of control over my life. Much like Abraham bringing forth Ishmael in the strength of his flesh with a bondwoman, I was quite fond of my theology since it looked like me and talked like me. As with Ishmael’s birth, it was definitely well intended and was the only theology I had at the time, but it sorely lacked a crucial ingredient: the application of life experiences that can only be attained as we spend time sojourning with others and God. There is much that can be understood about God in this life, but in many instances, the understanding requires the passage of time. This is not to say that I’ve arrived and that my doctrine is now perfect. Oh no, quite the contrary! But I have lived long enough to experience some of this life’s offerings and see whose theology works best. I think you know the answer to that one.

As a young Christian I can remember reading the book of Job and identifying with some of his statements, but especially when he said,

•   "For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me." (Job 3:25)

That Scripture was disconcerting to me and, to be perfectly honest, Job was not one of my favorite books of the Bible. Back then I hoped against hope that Job was just not being very spiritual when he made that statement, but down in my heart, well, I knew better. This man had an incredible understanding of God—without the benefit of any Scriptures! (The book of Job is the oldest book in the Bible, predating the writings of Moses.)

Considering the law of averages, I knew that if I lived long enough I, too, would face some fearful and stressful times. As time has passed, I have found that life with Jesus is, indeed, a bed of roses—much beauty and sweetness. It’s just those doggone thorns that come with the package that seem to disrupt an idyllic state. As Christians, the thorns should come as no surprise since the great Apostle Paul spoke to us about his:

•   "And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:7-9)

(As you read about the number 3 in this book, please remember that Paul petitioned the Lord three times for the removal of his thorn.)

Even though we are Christians, we still live in an imperfect world. Our world environment is in its own birth pangs while awaiting complete redemption (see Romans 8:22-23). Consequently, the curse pronounced by God in the Garden of Eden is still upon this earth, and interestingly enough, it specifically included thorns:

•   "And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field." (Genesis 3:17-18)

As we age, our thorns and fears come in many different varieties and are known by different names. Thankfully, only a few of the imagined ones become reality, but those few can be severe enough to leave us reeling, as in the death of a loved one.

About fifteen years ago my oldest brother died unexpectedly at the age of fifty-seven. I wish you could have known him. He was such a special person and a true gift in my life. He thrived upon encouraging others and lifting them up—one of the few unselfish people I have been honored to know.

I think one of his greatest joys was playing Santa Claus and visiting the homes of underprivileged children. Always armed with a joke and an irrepressible sense of humor, he was perfect for the part.

As a highly educated school administrator, he had spent his life in service to the public school children of Louisiana and Mississippi, whom he dearly loved. Even as a young school principal, it was not uncommon to see him playing football with the elementary school students at recess. As a classroom teacher, he once received a touching letter from the father of one of his students. In the letter, the father eloquently spoke of how he attributed my brother’s influence with his son as the turning point in his son’s life—not only academically but psychologically as well. We need more teachers like you, the father had shared.

My precious brother loved the church and had once penned inside an old Methodist Church Cokesbury Hymnal that his youthful years in the white-framed church by the river were the best years of his life. He would supply preach when called upon and gladly assist his in-laws in setting cemetery monuments when his busy schedule permitted. Sometimes he found humor even in the somber task of monument placement. I vividly recall a particular engraving that brought a chuckle to him and everyone with whom he shared it. Written upon the monument of a one-hundred-year-old man were the words Gone so soon.

The love he carried in his heart for children could only be matched by the love he had for our senior citizens, whom he greatly esteemed. As Sunday school teacher of the very senior adults, he would tease them that they had better take his class seriously since the next class up from his was out of this world.

He was serving his second term as elected superintendent of our county’s public schools when he fell gravely ill. Though far removed in time and space from the land of Uz and Job of Biblical antiquity, my rural Mississippi family was now experiencing the same dreaded fears. Granted, God is called the Almighty, but how could He possibly conquer such paralyzing fear and uncertainty in the minds and hearts of His children?

I can’t begin to tell you of the faithfulness of our Lord during my brother’s illness. For example, my husband, David (who worked in my brother’s office), and I were on vacation nine hundred miles from home and did not have a clue as to how seriously ill my brother was. Toward the end of our vacation, I told David that I had the overwhelming sense of need at home and that I could not stay another night. There was an urgency in my spirit that was inexplicable.

When we arrived home everything seemed okay, but the next day when my husband went to work, my brother began having severe chest pain. David managed to get him into a vehicle and began speeding toward the hospital nearly forty miles away. Midway into the trip and for an otherwise unexplainable impulse were it not for the prompting of the Spirit of God, David turned into the clinic of a local doctor and family friend. The timing was to the nanosecond because, once inside the clinic, my brother’s heart stopped beating. This doctor’s previous experience in emergency room resuscitation proved vital. The rescue helicopter was called, and a multitude of local townspeople gathered to offer assistance as the helicopter landed on the makeshift pad of grassy lawn of the rural clinic. In hindsight, I can see that God was letting us know that He was in control, that my brother was His child, and that our times are in Thy Hand (Psalm 31:15).

The next few months were heart wrenching in two ways: Watching death begin to claim my brother’s physical body as his heart muscle degenerated to the point of causing every major organ to fail and watching my frail parents (in their eighties) face the unnatural and surreal event of losing a child—their firstborn.

My brother’s last few weeks of life were those of great physical distress, yet I saw the magnificent Grace of our Lord evident in his suffering, for he never spoke a harsh word to anyone who came into his hospital room. Even in facing death he continued to put others ahead of himself.

At the end, he summoned what little physical strength remained and called our elderly parents to his bedside. Catching their hands, he praised them for being the best parents God could ever give anyone and assured them that it was time for me to be moving on out of here. Though Mother and Daddy had always led us, it was fitting that at his end he would lead them in prayer. A masterful prayer, Daddy would later tearfully recall.

I’ve shared these vignettes so that you might understand how much my relationship with my brother meant to me and the immeasurable impact of his death upon my