Enoch and Elijah.

 

Did Enoch and Elijah really go to Heaven?


A question that came to my attention recently, caused me to look at two passages of scripture.
The passages in question are relating to the two men that are believed to have been taken to heaven without experiencing death.

These two men are Enoch and Elijah.

It is always difficult to examine something that is accepted as truth by the Orthodox church, for it feels like you are questioning church traditional thinking.
However, we should always check these things out and be like the Berean’s of old, of which the scriptures say.
Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

We know that the Bible is the inerrant, infallible Word of God.
The scripture tells us that John 17:17  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
We also know that scripture does not contradict itself.

The principles of bible study, is exegesis, which is a critical explanation or interpretation of a scriptural text,
We also know that we should not add to, or take away from a text.
We do not speculate, or use Eisegesis, (read into the text).
Our understanding and interpretation, must be based solely on the text in question.

We know that scripture does not contradict scripture and we can interpret the text by comparing scripture with scripture.
This being the said.
The question raised, is, were both Enoch and Elijah taken to Heaven? And did they die?

By Heaven we mean, the abode of God, the Heaven where Christ is now, sitting at the right hand of God.

The passages of scripture in question are relating to Enoch and Elijah:

Enoch:

Gen 5:24  And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him. 

Elijah:

2Ki 2:11  And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 

From these passages of scripture, what are we told that is definite?

Concerning Enoch we are told that:
1. Enoch walked with God.

Genesis 5:21-24: “… Enoch walked with God three hundred years, and had sons and daughters. So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years.
Gen 5:24  And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him. 

This means that Enoch was a man of faith, a man that trusted in God and pleased God.

We know this to be true because of Hebrews.

Heb 11:5  By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 

Heb 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 

We are told:
2. He was not.

All that this could mean, is that one moment he was and then he was not.
Other translations render this text, “he was not there”, “then he disappeared,” “he was there no longer,” ” and was not found”.

Heb 11:5  By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found,

Finally we are told:

3. For God took him.
 

The word “took” here is the Hebrew word,” lâqach”.
It is a similar word to the Greek word “Harpazo” or the Latin word, “Rapture”.
It means to take, to catch up or caught away.

The Hebrews 11 text, says Enoch was “Translated”. In the Greek, this is “Metatithemi”, which means removed from one place to another. (Where our text is concerned, it means, removed from earth to somewhere else).
The problem is, the text does not say where Enoch was taken or removed to.

The majority of scholars believe that Enoch was translated to heaven. Which maybe the case.
However, the text does not say that Enoch was taken to heaven.
He may very well have been but the text does not say it.

The Hebrew 11 text says “Enoch was translated that he should not see death”.

What the text does not tell us:

1. It does not tell us is whether Enoch died physically. (at this time).
It does not tell us that Enoch had a change of state, that his body was changed so that he could enter heaven. (His body being changed by mortality putting on immortality). or, (corruption putting on incorruption).

Yet we know that scripture tells us that flesh and blood cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.

1 Cor 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

The Hebrews text tells us that Enoch was translated so that he would not see death.
However, this does not say that he did not die eventually.

Enoch lived in a very dangerous time, when evil prevailed on the earth.

Genesis 6:5-6 Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.” .

Being such a righteous man, he would have been a target for persecution and his life was very likely in grave danger.
It could be that God relocated Enoch to another place to keep him from seeing death.

We also know that Gen 5:23  And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: (However, this could mean, his days on the earth, or it could mean that he only lived 365 years and then he died.)
It does mean that he did not have 366 years. Either his time on earth ended with his translation, or his life ended physically.

Now all the previous men, we are told that they died.
 

Gen 5:5  And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died. 
Gen 5:8  And all the days of Seth were nine hundred and twelve years: and he died. 
Gen 5:11  And all the days of Enos were nine hundred and five years: and he died. 
Gen 5:14  And all the days of Cainan were nine hundred and ten years: and he died. 
Gen 5:17  And all the days of Mahalaleel were eight hundred ninety and five years: and he died. 
Gen 5:20  And all the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty and two years: and he died. 
Gen 5:27  And all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty and nine years: and he died. 
Gen 5:31  And all the days of Lamech were seven hundred seventy and seven years: and he died. 
 

However the verse concerning Enoch is different. It does not say that he died but God took him.

Gen 5:23  And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: 
Gen 5:24  And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him. 

However, according to Hebrews 11:13, when referring to the hall of faith.
The text says that all the ones mentioned, died in faith. (Including Enoch).

The verses are Hebrews 11: 4 -8

Heb 11:4  By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. 

5  By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 

6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 

7  By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. 

8  By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 

9  By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 

10  For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 

All those mentioned here, Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham. (All died)

13  These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 

So, the question is. Was Enoch removed to a different location to save him from death and then eventually died, just like the scriptures say.

Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement:
 

The second question would be:

Is it possible that Enoch could have been taken to Heaven, the place of God’s abode, in light of the scripture, which says that No man hath ascended up to heaven except Jesus?

Joh 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. 
 

Nowhere in scripture are we told that God took Enoch to heaven.
All that the text says is that God took him.
The question is to where?

We do know that God took Philip from the desert and relocated him in Azotus.
 

Act 8:39  And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Greek-(Harpazo) Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. 

Act 8:40  But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea. 

 

The word used in this text for “caught away” is the same word in Greek,”Harpazo” (Rapture), In Hebrew there are as many as fifteen words for the word “took”. One of them is the word “Laqach” used in Genesis referring to Enoch.

Could it be that both these men where “taken” and relocated to another place?

It would mean that both would eventually die, as the scriptures proclaim.
 

Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement:

This blog is not saying that Enoch was not taken to heaven but what it is saying is that the text does not tell us that and for that to happen, there would have to be a state change of Enoch’s body and the text does not tell us that was the case either.
Neither could Enoch have died at this time, because that would contradict the scripture that Christ was the first fruits of them that sleep.
 

1 Cor 15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept. (which means died)

Joh 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. 
 

What about Elijah?

The difference between Enoch and Elijah is the fact that in the Genesis text, it does not say that Enoch was taken to heaven. It just says, he was took.
However in the 2 Kings text, it does say that Elijah was taken into heaven.

The text referring to Elijah’s rapture, is found in 2 Kings 2:11.
 

2Ki 2:11  And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 
 

The same question applies to Elijah.
How is it possible for Elijah to ascend to heaven, (heaven meaning the abode of God, where Christ is now, sitting at the right hand of God)?

Especially, in light of the scriptures.

Joh 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. 

Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
 

1 Corinthians 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

So then, what is the “heaven” referred to in the text?

We know that scripture refers to three heavens.
When the term "heaven" is not used symbolically in Scripture, it usually refers to one of three realms.

(1) Our Immediate Atmosphere
(2) Outer Space (The Sun, Moon, And Stars)
(3) The Dwelling place of God, (the third heaven)

We know that there is more than one heaven.
The writer of Hebrews refers to “the heavens”.
 

Heb 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession

We know that Paul referred to a third heaven.

2 Corinthians 12:2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know - God knows.
 

So, if there is a third heaven, it follows that there must be a first and a second heaven.

The Bible, however, does not actually mention a first and second heaven.

The biblical evidence for a first heaven:

Genesis 6:7 I will destroy humanity whom I have created from the face of the earth, both humans and beasts, creeping thing and birds of heaven.
James 5:18 And he [Elijah] prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced fruit.
 

This refers to the first heaven, where the birds fly and the clouds are.
 

Evidence for a Second heaven:

Matthew 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

Deuteronomy 4:19 And take heed, lest you lift up your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun, the moon, and the stars, all the host of heaven, you feel driven to worship them and serve them, which the Lord your God has given to all the peoples under the whole heaven as a heritage.

This second heaven is where the sun, moon and stars are. Above the atmosphere.

The Third heaven.

In 2 Corinthians 12:2 Paul the Apostle writes, "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.

Psalm 148:4 Praise Him, you heaven of heavens and you waters above the heavens!.

But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God (Acts 7:55).

For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us (Hebrews 9:24).
 

So, the question is. Was Elijah taken to Heaven, the abode of God, or was he taken up into the first or second heaven and transported to another place on the earth?

If Elijah was transported to the third heaven, then the same things would have to happen to his body as would have had to happen to Enoch.
Corruption would have to put on incorruption and mortality would have to put on immortality, for them to enter heaven. In other words, their bodies would have had to be glorified.
However, this could not be the case, because Christ had not yet come and had not yet been glorified.

We know that it is not beyond the power of God to do whatever He pleases. However we do know that God would not contradict His own Word.

Hebrews 6:18 So that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement, to hold fast to the hope set before us.
 

Numbers 23:19 God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfil it?
 

2 Timothy 2:13 If we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.
 

Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began
 

1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,

What about Elijah at the Transfiguration.

Peter, James and John, saw Elijah and Moses at the Transfiguration.
However this was not seeing Elijah or Moses in a glorified state for we are told that this was a vision.
 

Matt. 17:9"And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, 'Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead'".

Quote by Dr. Joseph R. Nally, Jr., D.D., M.Div. is the Theological Editor at Third Millennium Ministries (Thirdmill).

The word "vision" comes from the Greek word horao meaning to "see," "observe," or "perceive." Thus the transfiguration was a glimpse of the glory that awaited Jesus at his resurrection (cf. Luke 24:26; Heb. 2:9; 1 Pet. 1:21). And because of the power of Jesus' resurrection the disciples also saw a glimpse of the future glory of both Moses and Elijah in vision form (cf. 1 Cor. 15:12, 23, et. al.).
So no, I don't believe that Matthew is literally speaking of Moses and Elijah as already having glorified bodies before the second coming.
End of Quote.
 

Whether, both Enoch and Elijah were taken to heaven, (the abode of God, the third heaven) is not clear from the texts.
We know that all things are possible with God.
However, we must stick to the text and not read into the text something that is not there.
We must also remember that scripture does not contradict scripture.
We also must accept that there are things that we may never know the answers to, until we enter glory.

In the meantime, all that we can do is be like the Bereans of old, who searched the scriptures daily, to see whether these things are so.

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