What is third heaven - How many heavens are there? Who was taken to third heaven according to 2 Corinthians 12:2?

Third heaven  according to 2 Corinthians 12:2

Holy Bible use the plural term "heavens". When translated to other languages this might have changed to singular form "heaven". On close reading, you might have a question of "how many heavens are there?".

Genesis 1:1 Says:

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1)

 Reference to third heaven is given at 2 Corinthians 12:2. St Pauls says about a person who was taken to third heaven. Here is the passage 2 Corinthians 12:1-4 (NRSVCE*):

"It is necessary to boast; nothing is to be gained by it, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows. 3 And I know that such a person—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows— 4 was caught up into Paradise and heard things that are not to be told, that no mortal is permitted to repeat."

Who is the person, St Paul talking about?
As per Bible experts St Paul is talking about himself. He don't want to boast himself and he writes "I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven..."

Acts 14 : 19-21 mention the atrocities he had to suffer during his visit to Lystra. While Paul and Barnabas were preaching there Jews from Antioch and Iconium prompted the crowd against Paul and they stoned him. Here is the passage 2 Corinthians 12:1-4 :

Acts 14: 19 - 21 Paul and Barnabas in Lystra

19 But Jews came there from Antioch and Iconium and won over the crowds. Then they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. 20 But when the disciples surrounded him, he got up and went into the city. The next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe.

Based on this incident, experts says , St Paul might have gone through a Near death experience (NDE) and might have a vision of heaven. Jesus might have took his soul to heaven where he witnesses / hears amazing things and he refer the heaven as Third heaven. After this experience his soul returned to his body and continued his mission of preaching.

So third heaven is dwelling place of Most Holy. So what about First and  Second Heavens?

Three Heavens

First Heaven

Sky or Atmosphere which is upto 25 km above earths surface where birds and aircrafts fly among the clouds

Second Heaven  

Second Heaven  or celestial heaven or outer space where  we can find celestial bodies like Sun, moon, starts, planets etc . Satan and his demons stays and operates here and fights spiritual battles; it is the heavenly place mentioned by St Paul in Ephesians 6:12. Our Prayers are blocked here by Satan. Similarly in the book of Daniel 10:12-14 we can find the help for Daniel was blocked at second heaven.

In Ephesians 6:12 (NRSVCE) St Paul says:

For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.  

Daniel 10:12-14   Says:

He said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words. 13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me twenty-one days. So Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, and I left him there with the prince of the kingdom of Persia,[a] 14 and have come to help you understand what is to happen to your people at the end of days. For there is a further vision for those days.”

Third Heaven     

It is the dwelling place of God and the heavenly host and not visible for Humans eyes. In 2 Corinthians 12:2 St Paul mentions about third heaven where he witnesses amazing things.

Conclusion:
Satan and his dark power stay between God and People on earth. Satan block our prayers. You may be praying for a long time and still there is no answer to your prayers?...then the reason is Your prayers are being blocked.

Here are some other references regarding heavens:

     
In Luke 10:18 (NRSVCE) Jesus Says:

He said to them, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning.

In Isaiah 14:12 (NRSVCE)

How you are fallen from heaven,
    O Day Star, son of Dawn!
How you are cut down to the ground,
    you who laid the nations low!

*New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition  (NRSVCE)
Download NRSV-CE Bible in PDF from
http://www.allsaintstupelo.com/Bible_NRSV.pdf

*A near-death experience (NDE) is a personal experience associated with death or impending death. Such experiences may encompass a variety of sensations including detachment from the body, feelings of levitation, total serenity, security, warmth, the experience of absolute dissolution, and the presence of a light