J-16. DID ENOCH AND ELIJAH DIE? DOWNLOAD to SAVE as a PDF Doc to read OFFLINE. J-16. DID ENOCH AND ELIJAH DIE? Or WERE THEY TAKEN ALIVE TO HEAVEN?
DOES the BIBLE TEACH that ENOCH and ELIJAH were TRANSLATED to God's THRONE in HEAVEN and they never returned to the earth?
In other words, did Enoch and Elijah DIE like all other men, or were they taken to heaven without seeing death? Now, I was taught that both Enoch and Elijah never DIED, but rather, they were taken to heaven by God that they should not see death. But is this what the whole word of God teaches us? The Bible says in Hebrews 11:5 that Enoch was TRANSLATED that he should NOT see death.
Hebrews 11:5.
“By faith Enoch was TRANSLATED (WHY? Why was Enoch TRANSLATED?) THAT (Or so 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.”
Now if we stop right here in this study of God's word, then you could easily conclude that Enoch did NOT DIE, but was TRANSLATED to heaven. But before we make such a conclusion let us see what else the Bible has to say about both Enoch and Elijah. In Genesis 5:18-24 we read this about Enoch.
Genesis 5:18-24.
“And Jared lived an hundred sixty and two years, and he begat Enoch: 19. And Jared lived after he begat Enoch eight hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: 20. And all the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty and two years: and he died. 21. And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah: 22. And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: 23. And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: 24. And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.”
In verse 24 we can clearly see that Enoch WALKED WITH God and he was NOT because God TOOK him. But what does this mean in the light of the whole word of God? Does this mean that Enoch did NOT DIE, because God TRANSLATED him to heaven? I want you to notice in verse 20 that Jared the father of Enoch lived to be 962 years old and DIED. Throughout this entire passage of Scripture, concerning all the other patriarchs, the Bible says that they lived so long and DIED. But yet when we get to Enoch we are told that all the days of Enoch are 365 but we are not specifically told that Enoch DIED. Instead, we are told that Enoch WALKED WITH God and WAS NOT, because God TOOK him. The only other place in the Bible where Enoch is mentioned other than in the genealogy found in Luke 3:37 is in Jude 1:14,15 where we read these words about Enoch.
Jude 1:14,15.
“And Enoch also, the SEVENTH from Adam, PROPHESIED of these, saying, Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his saints, 15. To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard (Speeches) which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.”
Again, if we stop right here with this study in God's word it would definitely appear that Enoch did NOT DIE, but rather Enoch was TRANSLATED to heaven by God. However, when OTHER evidence arises from the word of God that seems to CONTRADICT what appears to be a logical conclusion that Enoch did NOT SEE DEATH, then we must consider ALL the evidence in order to come to the TRUTH of the whole word of God. There are some who will dogmatically argue and demand that both Enoch and Elijah did NOT DIE, but rather, they were translated to heaven without seeing death. Some teach that Enoch and Elijah will be sent back to earth in the last days during the time of great tribulation to be the TWO WITNESSES that we are told about in Revelation 11:3, which says.
Revelation 11:3.
“And I will give power unto my TWO WITNESSES, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.”
Now I personally do not believe that the two witnesses are Enoch and Elijah. I explain who the two witnesses are in the study called J-14. WHO are the TWO WITNESSES? Part 1 But for now, let us focus on the question at hand, which is did Enoch and Elijah DIE or were they taken to heaven without seeing death? So then, what other evidence am I referring to that seems to CONTRADICT that Enoch and Elijah were translated to HEAVEN without seeing death? Well to begin with, how do we reconcile the words of Jesus found in John 3:13 where Jesus clearly and plainly teaches us that NO MAN has ASCENDED to HEAVEN except Jesus himself.
John 3:13.
“And NO MAN has ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.”
Now, since NO MAN has ascended UP TO HEAVEN where Jesus, the Son of man is now sitting, on the right hand of the THRONE of Almighty God, then HOW could Enoch and Elijah be TRANSLATED to HEAVEN without seeing DEATH? Also, the word of God teaches us that FLESH and BLOOD shall NOT inherit the kingdom of God. Please read 1 Corinthians 15:50, which says.
1 Corinthians 15:50.
“Now this I say, brethren, that FLESH and blood CANNOT inherit the kingdom of God; neither does corruption inherit incorruption.”
Now some may try and argue that the word TRANSLATED means that Enoch and Elijah were CHANGED in a twinkling of an eye and given IMMORTAL BODIES before they were taken to HEAVEN. But again, is this what the whole word of God teaches us? Please read Hebrews 11:39.40 where we are clearly and plainly told that those prophets in the Old Testament shall NOT be made perfect or shall not receive their perfect immortal bodies UNTIL we all are made perfect TOGETHER at the second coming of Jesus.
Hebrews 11:39,40.
“And these ALL, having obtained a good report through faith, received NOT the promise: 40. God having provided some better thing for us, that they WITHOUT us should NOT be made perfect.”
Please notice in verse 39 that ALL the Old Testament patriarchs including Enoch have NOT yet RECEIVED the PROMISE of ETERNAL LIFE, as in, NONE of the Old Testament saints have received, as yet, their IMMORTAL BODIES. So then, since Enoch and Elijah have NOT yet received their immortal bodies, and since flesh and blood bodies CANNOT go up to HEAVEN, then to WHERE was Enoch TRANSLATED and Elijah TAKEN? Also, please notice that in Hebrew 11:13 we read that ALL of these godly men DIED, which again would INCLUDE Enoch.
Hebrew 11:13.
“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.”
Since there is not very much written about Enoch we will need to look at Elijah in order to answer this question of WHERE Enoch was translated if he was NOT taken to HEAVEN, as in the THIRD heaven where God sits upon his THRONE. But before we take a look at what the word of God says about Elijah, let us take a look at the meaning of the Greek word that is translated by the translators as Enoch was “TRANSLATED” so that he should not see death. This Greek word simply means to be carried from one place to another. Now it may very well be that God carried Enoch from the place where he was on earth straight to HEAVEN like some dogmatically teach. But IF this is true, then we must reconcile these other passages of Scripture that seem to CONTRADICT this teaching that Enoch and Elijah were taken to HEAVEN. We know that it was the “spirit” of the Apostle John that was caught up into heaven and NOT his body of flesh. And Paul teaches us that whether in the body or out of the body he could not tell. Even when we DREAM, at times the dreams seem so real that we cannot tell if we are dreaming or if it is reeling happening. I have only experienced an out of the body translation one time in my life. At first it seemed as if I was really there in another place, but then I perceived that I was in the air and the two children I was helping to guide to safety could see me in the air when I motioned to them that it was safe to leaving their hiding place from the men who were trying to kill them. Then I woke up from the night vision praying in other tongues. So in that sense, I was walking with God yielding myself to pray in the Holy Spirit in other tongues. And God revealed to me who I was interceding for. So then, all we know for SURE is that Enoch WALKED with God and was NOT, as in, neither Enoch nor his body was ever found. Please read again Genesis 5:23,24, which simply says.
Genesis 5:23,24.
“And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: 24. And Enoch walked with God: and he was NOT; for God took him.”
This verse is INTERPRETED by some Christians as God took Enoch to HEAVEN without DYING, but all we know for SURE is that his body was not FOUND. However, this phrase “and he was NOT” does not mean that Enoch did not die or never saw death. And the phrase “for God TOOK him” does not mean that God took Enoch to HEAVEN with his BODY as some dogmatically teach. You see, the Bible also teaches us that the BODY of Moses was NOT FOUND and no one to this day knows where the grave or tomb of Moses is located, because God took the dead body of Moses and BURIED him. Please read Deuteronomy 34:5-7, which says.
Deuteronomy 34:5-7.
“So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD. 6. And he (Speaking of the Lord, and more precisely the angels of the Lord) BURIED him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Bethpeor: but no man knows of his sepulcher unto this day. 7. And Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he DIED: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated.”
Verse 6 tells us that NO MAN KNOWS even to this day where the Lord took and BURIED the body of Moses. Also, I say that most likely the angels of the Lord actually did the burying of the body of Moses, because Jude 1:9 says that Michael the archangel disputed with Satan over the body of Moses.
Jude 1:9.
“Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the BODY of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke you.”
My point is this, just because God took Enoch and he was not found does not necessarily mean that Enoch was taken to HEAVEN in his body to be with God. In other words, God could have taken Enoch and Elijah to a place where they would be SAFE. You see, the Jews sought to kill Jesus one time by throwing him head first down a steep hill, but Jesus simply disappeared out of their sight. Please read Luke 4:28-31, where Jesus simply passes through an angry crowd that is trying to kill him.
Luke 4:28-31.
“And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, 29. And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. 30. BUT he, passing through the midst of them. went his way, 31. And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the Sabbath days.”
In other words, this whole crowd of people could not harm Jesus until his time had come after Jesus had finished his ministry. We read in Acts 8:26-40 where Philip was TRANSLATED or caught away by the Holy Spirit and found in another place.
Acts 8:26-40.
“And the angel of the Lord spoke unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goes down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. 27. And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, 28. Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Isaiah the prophet. 29. Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join yourself to this chariot. 30. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Isaiah, and said, Understand you what you read? 31. And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. 32. The place of the Scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: 33. In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? For his life is taken from the earth. 34. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray you, of whom speaks the prophet this? Of himself, or of some other man? 35. Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. 36. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what does hinder me to be baptized? 37. And Philip said, If you believe with all your heart, you may. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 38. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. 39. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord CAUGHT AWAY Philip, THAT (Or in such a way that) the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. 40. But Philip was FOUND at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.”
Now Enoch walked with God and WAS NOT because God TOOK him. In other words, Enoch was not SEEN any more in THAT PLACE where he was because Enoch was CAUGHT AWAY or TRANSLATED by God. So the question remains WHERE was Enoch taken by God. Keep in mind that the eunuch saw Philip nor more because God TRANSLATED him to another place on the earth. And if you read 1 Enoch you will see that Methuselah FOUND that place where God took Enoch. But for now, let us see what the “accepted” 66 books of the Bible teach us. We read in Ezekiel 3:10-15 where the prophet Ezekiel was LIFTED UP by the Spirit of God and taken to another place.
Ezekiel 3:10-15.
“Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, all my words that I shall speak unto you receive in your heart, and hear with your ears. 11. And go, get you to them of the captivity, unto the children of your people, and speak unto them, and tell them, Thus says the Lord GOD; whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear. 12. Then the SPIRIT TOOK ME UP, and I heard behind me a voice of a great rushing, saying, Blessed be the glory of the LORD from his place. 13. I heard also the noise of the wings of the living creatures that touched one another, and the noise of the wheels over against them, and a noise of a great rushing. 14. So the SPIRIT LIFTED ME UP, and TOOK ME AWAY, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of the LORD was strong upon me. 15. Then I CAME to them of the captivity at Telabib, that dwelt by the river of Chebar, and I sat where they say, and remained there ASTONISHED among them seven days.”
So then, we have these other men who walked with God who were TAKEN by God to another place. Please keep in mind that we are NOT specifically told that Enoch was taken to HEAVEN. This is just man's INTERPRETATION. All we know for sure is that Enoch was translated so that he would not see DEATH, according to Hebrews 11:5. Again, this does NOT dogmatically demand to mean that Enoch never died. We simply are not specifically told. You see Jesus passed through the crowd of Jews who were trying to kill him. In other words, Jesus did NOT DIE that particular day, because God had OTHER PLANS for him and made it so that Jesus passed through the midst of that crowd that was trying to kill him. But Jesus did DIE later on. In the same way, it may not have been the time for Enoch to die, therefore, God took him or translated him to another place to keep him safe so that he should not see death at that particular time in his life. Again, please keep in mind that NO MAN has ever ascended to HEAVEN except for the Son of MAN, Jesus. Now let us take a look at Elijah to see IF he was taken to HEAVEN in his flesh and blood mortal body without dying as some dogmatically teach. Again, please keep in mind that NONE of the Old Testament saints have received their new glorified IMMORTAL bodies as yet and that FLESH and blood shall NOT inherit the kingdom of God. Let us begin by looking at the place where Elijah was taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire found in 2 Kings 2:11,12, which says.
2 Kings 2:11,12.
“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. 12. And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.”
But did OTHERS see or hear of Elijah later on? Here in these two verses we see that Elijah WENT UP into heaven by a whirlwind most likely riding in the chariot of fire and Elisha saw Elijah NO MORE, much like the eunuch saw Philip NO MORE, when Philip was CAUGHT AWAY by the Spirit of God and Philip was FOUND in another place. But OTHERS saw Philip. So then, did OTHER see Elijah or hear from Elijah after he went up into the SKY in a whirlwind? For you see, heaven can also mean the first heaven or the SKY. Now we know, or we should know that Elijah was NOT taken to the THIRD HEAVEN where God sits on his THRONE, because NO MAN has ascended to HEAVEN in their BODY where the throne of God resides. Again, it was the “spirit” of the Apostle John that was caught up to God’s throne and NOT the BODY of the Apostle John. So all we know for SURE is that Elijah was taken up to “A” heaven by a WHIRLWIND. To me, this simply means that Elijah was carried away up into the sky until he went out of the sight of Elisha and the others who were watching from a distance and Elijah was not seen any more by Elisha and then God set Enoch DOWN in another place on the earth. In 1 Enoch 39:3,4, we see that Enoch was taking up and then SET DOWN at the end of heaven, which can also mean the SKY.
“And in those days a whirlwind carried me off from the earth. And SET me DOWN at the end of the heavens. 4) And there I saw another VISION, the dwelling-places of the holy. And the resting-places of the righteous.”
And in 1 Enoch 17:1,2 we learn that God set Enoch down on a high mountain top that reached up to the heavens or the sky.
“And they took and brought me to a place in which those who were there were like flaming fire, 2) and, when they wished, they appeared as men. And they brought me to the place of darkness, and to a mountain, the point of whose summit reached to heaven. ”In other words, it may very well be that Elijah was taken to another place just like Philip and Ezekiel. You see, just because the EUNUCH saw Philip NO MORE does NOT mean that Philip was CAUGHT AWAY or TRANSLATED to HEAVEN without DYING and was never seen again. Let us now take a look at 2 Kings 2:11,12 in the entire CONTEXT to see that Elijah may have been TRANSLATED by God, at other times, other than this time recorded in 2 Kings 2:11,12. We first read about Elijah in 1 Kings 17:1-3 where Elijah commands it not to rain until he says it will rain and then is told by God to hide himself from King Ahab.
1 Kings 17:1-3.
“And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word. 2. And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, 3. Get you hence, and turn you eastward, and HIDE yourself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.”
Now please read 1 Kings 18:7-18 where Elijah is told by God to go show himself to King Ahab after being in hiding for 3 1/2 years and there was no rain and a great drought was upon the land.
1 Kings 18:7-18.
“And as Obadiah was in the way, behold, Elijah met him: and he knew him, and fell on his face, and said, Are you that my lord Elijah? 8. And he answered him, I am: go, tell thy lord, Behold (Or look and see), Elijah is here. 9. And he said, WHAT have I sinned, that you would deliver your servant into the hand of Ahab, to slay me? 10. As the LORD your God lives, there is no nation or kingdom, whither my lord (Speaking of king Ahab) has not sent to seek you (In other words, king Ahab tried desperately to FIND and KILL the prophet Elijah): and when they said, He is not there; he took an oath of the kingdom and nation, that they found you not. 11. And now you say, Go, tell your lord, Behold, Elijah is here. 12. And it shall come to pass, as soon as I am gone from you, that the Spirit of the LORD shall carry you whither I know not; and so when I come and tell Ahab, and he cannot find you, (In other words, it appears that others may have seen Elijah during this 3 1/2 years and when they told king Ahab where to FIND Elijah he was always GONE and Obadiah feared that this would happen AGAIN, when he would leave Elijah to go tell king Ahab that he found the prophet) he (King Ahab) shall slay me: but I your servant fear the LORD from my youth. 13. Was it not told my lord what I did when Jezebel slew the prophets of the LORD, how I hid a hundred men of the LORD'S prophets by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water? 14. And now you say, Go, tell your lord, Behold, Elijah is here: and he shall slay me. 15. And Elijah said, As the LORD of hosts lives, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself unto him today. (In other words, Elijah promises that the Lord will not translate him away this time) 16. So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him: and Ahab went to meet Elijah. 17. And it came to pass, when Ahab SAW Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Are you he that troubles Israel? 18. And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but YOU, and YOUR father's house, in that YOU have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and YOU have followed Baalim.”
If you read the entire account of Elijah during these 3 1/2 years of his HIDING, Elijah moved around at the Lord's instruction. Elijah was certainly seen by others, but whenever he was sought out by King Ahab, Elijah seemed to always DISAPPEAR. Obadiah certainly believed that if he left to go tell Ahab like Elijah had told him that the SPIRIT of the LORD would CARRY Elijah AWAY where he would NOT BE FOUND then King Ahab would kill him. It should be somewhat clear that Elijah may have been TRANSLATED at other times other than in 2 Kings 2:11,12. In verse 10 of 1 Kings chapter 18, we read where there was no nation or kingdom that Ahab did not search for Elijah. It may have very well been that people saw Elijah and when the king sent to find him that Elijah was carried away by the Spirit of God and was NOT FOUND. In other words, Elijah was translated to another place so that he would NOT SEE DEATH just like Enoch, because the Lord was not finished with them. Now let us read the immediate context just before Elijah was taken up into heaven by a whirlwind. Please read 2 Kings 2:1-18, which says.
2 Kings 2:1-18.
“And it came to pass, when the LORD would TAKE UP Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. 2. And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray you; for the LORD has sent me to Bethel. And Elisha said unto him, As the LORD lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you. So they went down to Bethel. 3. And the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, KNOW you that the LORD will take away your master from your head today? And he said , Yea, I KNOW IT; hold you your peace. 4. And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray you; for the LORD has sent me to Jericho. And he said, As the LORD lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you. So they came to Jericho. 5. And the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho came to Elisha, and said unto him, KNOW you that the LORD will take away your master from your head to day? And he answered, Yea, I KNOW IT; hold you your peace. 6. And Elijah said unto him, Tarry, I pray you, here; for the LORD has sent me to Jordan. And he said, As the LORD lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you. And they two went on. 7. And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off: and they two stood by Jordan. 8. And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground. 9. And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for you, before I be taken away from you. And Elisha said, I pray you, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me. 10. And he said, You have asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so unto you; but if not, it shall not be so. 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. (Please remember that NO MAN has ascended to HEAVEN where the throne of God is but the resurrected Son of MAN, Jesus right after he talked with Mary Magdalene. And then the GLORIFIED Son of MAN, Jesus descended back down from heaven that SAME evening of the first day of the week to show himself alive for forty days. The the glorified Son of MAN, Jesus ascended back up to heaven to be seated by God on his god and Father’s throne) 12. And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: (Please remember that the EUNUCH did not see Philip any more, but others certainly did) and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces. 13. He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan; 14. And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? And when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over. 15. And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah does rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him. 16. And they said unto him, Behold now, there be with your servants fifty strong men; let them go, we pray you, and SEEK your master: lest peradventure the Spirit of the LORD has taken him up, and cast him upon some mountain, or into some valley. And he said, You shall not send. 17. And when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, Send. They sent therefore fifty men; and they sought three days, but found him not. 18. And when they came again to him, (for he tarried at Jericho,) he said unto them, Did I not say unto you, Go not?”
Now when Elisha asked for a double portion of the Spirit of Elijah be given to him and Elijah said that Elisha asked a HARD THING, I have to wonder if it was Elijah's to give. We know that Moses was not allowed to go into the promised land because he disobeyed God. It may be that it was indeed Elijah's time to go home to be with the Lord, as we say today about people who have died. It may be that Elijah had finished his ministry and God was taking him somewhere to be safe to live out his years. It may be that God was NOT yet finished with Elijah, but after Elijah promised Elisha his mantle if Elisha SAW the Lord take Elijah, that Elijah went beyond what he had the right to do. In other words, if Elijah had not promised his mantle to Elisha, then it may have been that Elijah would have returned and continued in his ministry. We simply do not know. But what we do know for SURE is that around seven years later AFTER Elijah had been taken up into heaven by a whirlwind that the king of Judah received a LETTER FROM the PROPHET ELIJAH. Now IF Elijah had been taken to the THIRD HEAVEN without dying, as some dogmatically teach, then HOW is it that Jehoram, the king of Judah, received a letter from the PROPHET ELIJAH nearly seven years AFTER he had SUPPOSEDLY been TRANSLATED to HEAVEN? We must interpret Genesis 24:5 and Hebrews 11:5 in the LIGHT of the WHOLE word of TRUTH. And the words of Jesus clearly teaches us that NO MAN has ascended to HEAVEN except Jesus. And Elijah could NOT have written a letter if God took his spirit to heaven to await the resurrection at the coming of Jesus and Elijah’s spirit never returned to his body. Elisha never took his eyes off Elijah and SAW him taken up in his BODY in a whirlwind out of his SIGHT.
Please read 2 Chronicles 21:12,13 which says.
“And there came a writing to him from Elijah the prophet, saying, Thus says the LORD God of David your father, Because you have not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat your father, nor in the ways of Asa king of Judah, 13. But have walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and have made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go a whoring, like to the whoredoms of the house of Ahab, and also have slain your brethren of your father's house, which were better than yourself:”
You see, Elijah went up into heaven by a whirlwind in 2 Kings Chapter 2. Then we read in 2 Kings Chapter 8 that Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat began to reign as king of Judah.
Please read 2 Kings 8:16-18.
“And in the fifth year of Joram the son of Ahab king of Israel, Jehoshaphat being then king of Judah, Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah began to reign. 17. Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. 18. And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab: for the daughter of Ahab was his wife: and he did evil in the sight of the LORD.”
It should be clear to all seeking the TRUTH of the whole word of God that Elijah continued to live ON THE EARTH after king Ahab died. We see that king Ahab died in 2 Kings Chapter 3. Then again in chapter 8 we see that the prophet Elijah wrote a letter to king Jehoram the king of Judah, which proves that Elijah did NOT ASCEND into HEAVEN in the chariot of fire as some prophecy teachers dogmatically teach. Some extra Biblical evidence that also supports this truth is found in the writings of Josephus in the Antiquities of the Jews.
"Now at this time it was that Elijah disappeared from among men, and no one knows of his death to this very day; but he left behind him his disciple Elisha, as we have formerly declared. And indeed, as to Elijah, and as to Enoch, who was before the Deluge, it is written in the sacred books that they disappeared; but so nobody knew that they died." (Antiquities of the Jews 9:2:2)
Enoch the prophet was unquestionably a righteous man. After spending such time walking with God, it is most reasonable to believe God showed him and taught him things that were incredible beyond imagination at that time in history. In other words, since the book of Jude in the New Testament speaks of a prophecy given by Enoch, then should not the writings of Enoch be considered by Christians as valid texts? If you have doubts about the book of Enoch being Scripture, then please read the study called G-24. Is the Book of ENOCH SCRIPTURE? Part 1. But for now, in Genesis Chapter 5 the original Hebrew text placed the definite article in front of “God”. This separates the TITLE God as being “the God”. This may be an implication that society was beginning to worship other gods at this time. Enoch, however, lived a life in strict compliance with THE one true God. Anyway, another extra Biblical support for Enoch not being translated to the THIRD HEAVEN is the Book the Enoch that he wrote, which we will look at momentarily. Another interesting and mysterious book that is also mentioned in the Bible is talked about twice in the Old Testament. It is the book of Jasher. This book is first mentioned in Joshua 10:13 and then again in II Samuel 1:18 In the Joshua passage of Scripture, Joshua was said to have spoken to the Lord asking for the sun to stand still so the Israelites may claim victory. The second half of verse 13 is said to bolster the evidence that God did, in fact, halt the sun's progress across the sky.
Joshua 10:13.
“Is it not written in the book of Jashar? And the sun stopped in the middle of the sky....”
Whatever this book of Jasher is, it was apparently a written account of many of the exploits of God's people. The passage in II Samuel 1:17-18 is equally as interesting.
II Samuel 1:17-18.
“Then David chanted with this lament over Saul and Jonathan his son, 18. And he told them to teach the sons of Judah the song of the bow; behold, it is written in the book of JASHER.”
Obviously, the patriarchs of the Bible read more books, other than what we have in today's canonized Bible and thought it IMPORTANT enough to make reference to at least some of them. So, it seems that the book of Jasher falls into the same dilemma as the book of Enoch to be considered as an APOCALYPTIC book. Therefore, these apocalyptic books did not find their way into the NOW accepted “canonized” Bible, that most Christians accept as the true word of God, in this present time.as I am writing these studies on this subject. But during the days of Jesus and the early church, the book of Enoch was considered Scripture. The church did not have a so-called :canon” of Scripture until the third century when many false teachings began to be written down and circulated among Christians. And it was not until the 9th century that the book of Enoch was DEMOTED down to the Apocryphal list of books in the Bible. And even yet today the Ethiopian Church still has the book of Enoch in their canon of Scripture. In other words, these books were considered apocryphal books by the Catholic Church which canonized the Bible as having 73 books. The Protestant Bible used to have some of the apocryphal books but later authorized only 66 of the 73 books still remaining in the Catholic authorized Bibles. Now to me, it is quite plain these books were considered as important by the patriarchs of the Bible and the disciple of Jesus Christ, because of the mere FACT that they were mentioned and also quoted. Obviously they contained enough vital information from God, because David felt this book of Jasher contained an important enough song that he required “the sons of Judah” to learn it. And Jude thought the writings of Enoch important enough to quote. Furthermore, in chapters 3 and 4 of the book of Jasher, we find some very interesting things that Jasher has to say about Enoch the prophet. Chapter 3 opens up with the birth of Methuselah, which agrees with what the Bible teaches us. Then Enoch is said to have walked in the ways of the Lord and served the Lord, which also agrees with what the Bible teaches us. Next we can clearly see Enoch's righteousness in Jasher 3:2, which says that Elijah hid for many days. Jesus separated himself to pray to God. And The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the “wilderness” for forty days to be tempted by the Devil. So it in not uncommon for God to lead his people at time to be alone with Him so God can reveal to them secret things for them to then reveal to the rest of us.
Jasher 3:2.
“And the soul of Enoch was wrapped up in the instruction of the Lord, in knowledge and in understanding; and he wisely retired from the sons of men, and secreted himself from them for many days.”
The book of Jasher continues in chapter 2:3,4 with Enoch the prophet faithfully serving God, and then goes on to reveal to us that Enoch was in a SECRET place being TAUGHT of the Lord about things to come, which definitely makes sense, because how could Jude QUOTE a PROPHECY from Enoch, if Enoch was never given a prophecy to write down and prophesy?
Jasher 2:3,4.
“And it was at the expiration of many years, while he was serving the Lord, and praying before him in his house, that an angel of the Lord called to him from Heaven, and he said, Here am I. 4. And he said, Rise, go forth from thy house and from the place where you do hide yourself, and appear to the sons of men, in order that you may teach them the way in which they should go and the work which they must accomplish to enter in the ways of God.”
Have you even considered the FACT that if Enoch was to be with God in heaven and never returned, then HOW did Enoch hand down ANY of what God REVEALED to him. I mean, what is the whole point of God REVEALING things to come if we can never write them down or tell anyone else about what God revealed to us concerning the JUDGMENT of God? Now I am not saying that we should rewrite the Bible or add these books back into the Bible, but what I am saying is that they should not be considered as “TABOO” to Christians in such a way that Christians are taught to fear going to hell if they were to read them. A study I did a long time ago caused me to really consider that there is something missing from the 66 books of the Bible that is widely accepted today as being ALL that there is to understanding about God. What led me to this deep consideration was that when I was studying the feast days of the Lord, I noticed how the names of the months of the Jewish calendar were scattered and somewhat hidden. In other words, they are not given in a straightforward fashion. So, as I was searching for the names of these months I could NOT find the names of TWO of these months anywhere in these 66 books. This caused me to think that perhaps these other TWO names are given in another book or books. Something to consider at least. Just so you know, I did NOT find the names of any months in the book of Enoch and I have read all three “translations of Enoch”. Also, I have not read the whole book of Jasher or any of the other apocryphal books completely either so I do not know if the names of the two months are in one or more of one of those books. Again, I am not being dogmatic about what I teach on this subject, but rather, I am just presenting to you ALL the evidence that I have found from BOTH sides of the controversial subject which I came across. I leave it up to you, the reader and seeker of the truth, to decide for yourself after weighing all the evidence of the whole word of God. For ME, I only use quotes from the book of Enoch to add some detail to what God already revealed to me from the “accepted” 66 books of the Bible. You can read 1 Enoch or Enoch 1 by clicking on the following link Heaven Net The Book of Enoch with verse numbers. Then click on read Enoch with verse numbers it the link takes you to the homepage of HeavenNet.org. I also have a three part study on the Book of Enoch if you are interested in learning more and going deeper into God’s word. Please start with reading G-24. Is the Book of ENOCH SCRIPTURE? Part 1. You can find the links to part 2 and 3 in that study. Thanks for reading, and may God bless you richly as you continue to seek the TRUTH of the WHOLE word of Almighty God. And to me, the truth concerning who Jesus TRULY is, according to the Bible ITSELF, is the Biblical Unitarian view of Jesus. So, for ALL of the studies on the Biblical Unitarian view of Jesus, please click on the subject heading >>>D-0. THE BIBLICAL UNITARIAN VIEW of JESUS!<<< And for the SUBJECT on the true foundation of the church, please click on the subject heading >>>C-0. THE TRUE FOUNDATION OF THE CHURCH!<<< This way you can just send ONE link to those who you want to share the TRUE sound Biblical FOUNDATIONAL teachings of the church that Jesus and his Apostles taught in the first century church.
Your brother in our Lord Jesus Christ, Brother Mark.
My heartfelt prayer is that all Christians RETURN to the TRUE FOUNDATION of the church that is taught by the very Apostles of Jesus in the first century. So let us all come into the UNITY of the faith and return to what Jesus and his Apostles taught us in SIMPLICITY in the New Testament.
To learn more TRUTH, then please return to
VERSES USED TO TEACH THAT JESUS PREEXISTED!
To me, the best way to know the ONE true God in ONE person is to know who Jesus TRULY is according to the WHOLE word of Almighty God. So please read ALL of the studies under the heading >>>N-0. WHO is JESUS ACCORDING to the BIBLE?<<< and you will see that the Bible itself teaches us that Jesus was CREATED by his God and Father. And if you have any questions related to the correct meaning of certain verses of Scripture on this subject of who Jesus is please read all the studies under the two headings >>>U-0. VERSES used for THE TRINITY!<<< and >>>V-0. VERSES used to TEACH that Jesus PRE-EXISTED!<<< These two headings have ALL of the studies that I have on who Jesus truly is according to what the Bible itself teaches us in simplicity. I compiled these three headings to make it easy for my readers to send just one, two, or three links to those you desire to help understand what the Bible itself teaches concerning who Jesus is in the LIGHT of the WHOLE word of Almighty God. If you have any questions, please feel free to write to me. My contact email is MarkatAMatterOfTruth@Gmail .com. Thanks again for reading and may God bless you richly as you continue to seek the truth of the whole word of Almighty God.
Your Brother in our Lord Jesus Christ, Brother Mark.
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Always be faithful to share, to preach, and to teach the whole gospel of Jesus Christ!
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