How do Jehovah's Witnesses explain these scriptures in line with their beliefs: 2Kings2:1,11: Genesis 5:24?

Question

Jehovah's Witnesses believe that only 144,000 will go to heaven, and the rest of humanity that survives Armageddon, along with millions who have died and are then resurrected, will live on a paradise Earth. They also believe that the 144,000 have all been chosen since 33AD, when Jesus was put to death, rose again and ascended to heaven.

However, Genesis 5:24 informs us that "Enoch walked with God, and he was no more, for God took him", while 2Kings2:11 in part says that "Elijah went up by a whirwind into heaven". Hebrews 11:5 says that "By faith Enoch was translated, that he should not see death". These scriptures seem to indicate that both Enoch and Elijah went to heaven which, according to Witness doctrine, is not possible. I am aware that Hebrews 11:39 goes on to say that the faithful men of old "received not the promise", presumably heavenly life but nowhere does it say that they will not receive it.

Any comments?

Answer 1

The bible clearly teaches that Christ Jesus was the first human to ascend to the heavenly domain of spirit beings.

(John 3:13) Moreover, no man has ascended into heaven but he that descended from heaven, the Son of man.

(Acts 2:34) Actually David did not ascend to the heavens

(Hebrews 9:8) Thus the holy spirit makes it plain that the way into the holy place [heaven] had not yet been made manifest while the first tent [the Jewish Mosaic Law] was standing [which it did until Christ's impalement].

(Colossians 2:13-14) God...blotted out the handwritten document against us, which consisted of decrees and which was in opposition to us; and He has taken it out of the way by nailing it to the torture stake.


Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Enoch's death was similar to that of Moses, in that it was made private and painless by Jehovah God, and Enoch's body was kept from the disrespectful hands of his enemies or future cultists (just as was done with the body of Moses) [some caps added to citations below].

(Genesis 5:24) Enoch kept walking with the true God. Then he was no more, for GOD TOOK HIM.

(Deuteronomy 34:5-6) Moses the servant of Jehovah died there in the land of Moab AT THE ORDER OF JEHOVAH. And [Jehovah] proceeded to bury him..., and nobody has come to know his grave down to this day.

(Jude 9) Michael the archangel had a difference with the Devil and was disputing about Moses’ body


By contrast, Elijah certainly did NOT die during that windstorm, for Elijah could not have written his letter from heaven.

Astute readers will note that 2 Kings 3:11,12 specifically notes that Jehoshaphat was still alive after Elijah's windstorm incident, whereas Jehoshaphat seems long-dead by the time Elijah wrote to Jehoshaphat's son (in the letter mentioned at 2 Chronicles 21:12). Clearly, years earlier the prophet Elijah had simply experienced a miraculous transportation through the physical troposphere or stratosphere, similar to that which was later experienced by the prophet Ezekiel (see Ezekiel 8:3).

Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/20001001/article_02.htm

Answer 2

My brothers have said it well. Just to add my own comment (which might repeat some of their points, but as they say- "if it's nice, do it twice!!")

The son born to Jared at the age of 162; the seventh man in the genealogical line from Adam. In addition to Methuselah, who was born to him when he was 65 years old, Enoch had other sons and daughters. Enoch was one of the “so great a cloud of witnesses” who were outstanding examples of faith in ancient times. “Enoch kept walking with the true God.” (Ge 5:18, 21-24; Heb 11:5; 12:1) As a prophet of Jehovah, he foretold God’s coming with His holy myriads to execute judgment against the ungodly. (Jude 14, 15) Likely persecution was brought against him because of his prophesying. However, God did not permit the opposers to kill Enoch. Instead, Jehovah “took him,” that is, cut short his life at the age of 365, an age far below that of most of his contemporaries. Enoch was “transferred so as not to see death,” which may mean that God put him in a prophetic trance and then terminated Enoch’s life while he was in the trance so that he did not experience the pangs of death. (Ge 5:24; Heb 11:5, 13) However, he was not taken to heaven, in view of Jesus’ clear statement at John 3:13. It appears that, as in the case of Moses’ body, Jehovah disposed of Enoch’s body, for “he was nowhere to be found.”—De 34:5, 6; Jude 9

Elijah does not die at this time, nor does he go into the invisible spirit realm, but he is transferred to another prophetic assignment. (Joh 3:13) This is shown by the fact that Elisha does not hold any period of mourning for his master. A number of years after his ascension in the windstorm Elijah is still alive and active as a prophet, this time to the king of Judah. Because of the wicked course taken by King Jehoram of Judah, Elijah writes him a letter expressing Jehovah’s condemnation, which is fulfilled shortly thereafter.—2Ch 21:12-15

Answer 3

If you read the book of 2 Chronics 21:12 you will realize that Eliah was alive 8 years after his dissapear in heaven.

Jesus was the first to go heaven according to John 3:13 unless Jesus is a liar Eliah and Enoch couldn´t be in heaven cause Jesus was the first or he was lying.

Enoch was one of the “so great a cloud of witnesses” who were outstanding examples of faith in ancient times. “Enoch kept walking with the true God.” (Ge 5:18, 21-24; Heb 11:5; 12:1) As a prophet of Jehovah, he foretold God’s coming with His holy myriads to execute judgment against the ungodly. (Jude 14, 15) Likely persecution was brought against him because of his prophesying. However, God did not permit the opposers to kill Enoch. Instead, Jehovah “took him,” that is, cut short his life at the age of 365, an age far below that of most of his contemporaries. Enoch was “transferred so as not to see death,” which may mean that God put him in a prophetic trance and then terminated Enoch’s life while he was in the trance so that he did not experience the pangs of death. (Ge 5:24; Heb 11:5, 13) However, he was not taken to heaven, in view of Jesus’ clear statement at John 3:13. It appears that, as in the case of Moses’ body, Jehovah disposed of Enoch’s body, for “he was nowhere to be found.”—De 34:5, 6; Jude 9.

both of them are going to be resurrected in the near future after Armageddon during the Kingdom that Jesus will rule according to Acts 24:15.

Answer 4

Enoch’s being “transferred so as not to see death” meant God put him in a prophetic trance and then terminated his life while he was in that state. Enoch did not suffer, or “see death,” at the hands of his enemies.

Scriptures talk of three heavens. That is the sky, outside the Earth, and spiritual heavens. Elijah was transported in the air to another location.

Answer 5

They've got it wrong again!! Nothing new there. If you believe that Jesus is the Messiah and he came to set us free from sin by his death on the cross then you will be with him in heaven. It takes faith and trust. Take no notice of the JW's they have a horrible habit of misinterpreting holy scriptures causing confusion -they don't even acknowledge that Jesus heals people today never mind anything else - they drive me mad the no. of debates no sorry arguments I've had with a local group over this is ridiculous believe me!

Answer 6

Their beliefs change constantly.
Enoch and Elijah will probably be the two witnesses spoken about in Revelations.

Answer 7

JWs are a cult, they are lovely people but are deceived by cunning leaders. They follow a distorted bible and therefore should be ignored.

Answer 8

There's a spider in the corner.

Answer 9

Jehovos are absolute balloon heads.