Results 1 - 9 of 9
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Searching for the truth | Bible general Archive 2 | Pastor Glenn | 107832 | ||
FytRobert, Good question. I have often pondered this same question. The answer has to be in the translation of "went up" or "ascended". Notice synonyms: arise, climb, escalate, float, fly, lift off, mount, move up, rise, scale, soar, sprout, take off, tower. A similar scripture using "ascended": Gen 28:12 And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. Notice "ascending" here indicates rising to heaven by their own power. Elijah and Enoch did not "walk" up to heaven. They were "taken": Heb 11:5 By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, "and was not found, because God had taken him";[Gen 5:24] for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. |
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2 | Searching for the truth | Bible general Archive 2 | FytRobert | 107872 | ||
Hi Pastor Glenn, Thanks for your prompt and excellent answear as commented by Makarios but unfortunately, I am still unable to draw a conclusion. Did Elijah and Enoch go up into heaven, if not, where did God take them to? Bearing in mind of what Jesus said in John3:13."....no one has ever gone into heaven.." Your comments will no doubt ease my mind. With love in Christ FytRobert |
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3 | Searching for the truth | Bible general Archive 2 | Makarios | 107874 | ||
Greetings FytRobert, Genesis 5:24 "Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him." [NASB] 2 Kings 2:11 "As they were going along and talking, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire which separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven." [NASB] John 3:13 "No one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven: the Son of Man." [NASB] Both Enoch and Elijah experienced being taken up into heaven alive by God. They could not go up to heaven by their own power or initiative any more than you or I could, but only by the direct intervention of God were they taken up into heaven, for purposes that are known to God alone. And we know that heaven was their final destination, since Enoch pleased God (Hebrews 11:5-6) and Elijah appeared with Moses in the transfiguration (Matthew 17:3), seeing Jesus in all His glory. Therefore, is there a contradiction between John 3:13 and with what happened to Enoch and Elijah? No, there is not. Jesus' home as the fullness of Deity in the flesh is heaven, not earth. Therefore, no other man but Jesus could truthfully attribute to himself the words that Jesus spoke of Himself in John 3:13. Enoch and Elijah did not choose to be taken up into heaven, even though they did not refuse it either. But Jesus chose to obey His Father by descending to earth from heaven to be lifted up on the cross for our sins, and then ascend into heaven Himself (Acts 1:9) after His resurrection. No other human being ever came FROM heaven and then went BACK into heaven. As it stands, Jesus came from heaven (Mark 10:45; John 1:1) and then ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9). Neither Enoch nor Elijah came from heaven, being only men (Enoch's birth is recorded in Genesis 5:18; Elijah was from Tishbe in Gilead [1 Kings 17:1]). Therefore, Jesus and only Jesus could properly fulfill John 3:13, as He Himself so stated. Only He has the power to come and go as He wills, and He will come yet again! (Rev. 22:7,12,20) Blessings to you, Makarios |
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4 | Searching for the truth | Bible general Archive 2 | FytRobert | 107903 | ||
Hi Makarios, I note with appreciation your helpful and lengthy answear.However,in order to get to the gist of it I have to delete the frills, why and how. You said: [1]"Both Enoch and Elijah experienced being taken up into heaven alive by God". [2]"Therefore, no other man but Jesus could truthfully attribute to Himself the words that Jesus spoke of Himself in John3:13" [3]"Therefore, is there a contradiction between John3:13 and with what happened to Enoch and Elijah? No, there is not" My comments are: [1] You have admittedly said that both Enoch and Elijah were taken up to heaven alive by God. [2]In John 3:13 there are two parts: a."No one has ever gone into heaven"[no human being] b."Except the one who came down from heaven- the son of man" In the first part,viz.[a]above, Jesus was making a statement of truth. whilst in the secong part,viz,[b]Jesus was referring to Himself as you have said so. It would appear that your conclusion,viz[3]above is not being supported by the above analysis. However, I would invite you to comment further. with love in Christ. FytRobert |
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5 | Searching for the truth | Bible general Archive 2 | Morant61 | 107919 | ||
Greetings FytRobert! While I agree with Makarios' comments, I would respond with a slightly different approach. First of all, 'heaven' is never mentioned with Enoch at all. Secondly, the word 'heaven' in relation to Elijah can simply mean 'sky'. So, I would say that until Christ was resurrected, no one went to Heaven, not even Elijah and Enoch. Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |
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6 | Searching for the truth | Bible general Archive 2 | FytRobert | 107995 | ||
Hi Tim Moran, My mind is very much at ease now and receptive to your concise and direct approach to the subject. Your statement:"So, I would say that untilChrist was resurrected,no one went to Heaven,not even Elijah and Enoch." has brought back my earlier question to my mind,"...where did God take them[Enoch andElijah] to?" Perhaps, God had taken them to another world which is far and beyond and which has yet to be discovered by the human race. Is this a possibility? With love in Christ. FytRobert |
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7 | Searching for the truth | Bible general Archive 2 | Morant61 | 107997 | ||
Greetings FytRobert! Scripture never says my friend! But, if I could speculate, I would say that they went to the same place that everyone else went to before Christ, which is Hades. We know from the account of Lazarus and the Rich Man that Hades consisted of two sides. One for the wicked and one for the righteous. We call this side paradise. So, I would say that both Elijah and Enoch went to paradise until Christ was resurrected. At which time, they, and all the Old Testament Saints, went immediately to be with the Lord. Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |
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8 | Searching for the truth | Bible general Archive 2 | FytRobert | 108548 | ||
Hi Tim Moran, Thanks for your comments which have triggered my mind to ask the following questions. First and foremost, where is hades and how does the soul know the way to hades after death? In view of what Jesus said in John3:13"No man has ever gone into Heaven" you speculated by saying that both Elijah and Enoch went to hades.But hades is a temporary waiting place reserved for souls of dead persons only. So, my dear Tim, are we not in a dilemma? I also infer from your comments that the O,T. Saints in hades were taken up by Christ to be with the Lord.Does this mean that the paradise side of hades is now empty and closed? If this is so,the righteous believers now will be with the Lord immediately after death? And if this is so,then the big judgement day is meant for the unbelievers only? Trusting that you will oblige again by forwarding your comments. With love in Christ. FytRobert |
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9 | Searching for the truth | Bible general Archive 2 | Morant61 | 108558 | ||
Greetings FytRobert! Good morning my friend! I'm not sure I understand what the dilemma is! Allow me to touch upon your questions quickly. 1) How do they know? I know of no reason why they would have to know the way. :-) They have no choice in the matter as far as I understand things. 2) and 3) Paradise side of Hades. I do believe that it is now closed and empty. We know that now, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. 4) Judgement: I do not believe that believers will be judged, since we are not saved by what we do. Those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of Life will be saved. Those who are not written in the Lamb's book of Life will be judged and condemned. If I misunderstood your questions, please let me know. Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |
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