How did Enoch and Elijah go straight to heaven hundreds of years before Jesus came and died for their sins.?

Question

I honestly really want to know.

Answer 1

Genesis 5:24 tells us, "Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away." 2 Kings 2:11 tells us, "...suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind." These two verses describe the only two occurrences in the Bible of people be taken to Heaven without having died. Enoch is described as a man who "walked with God for 300 years" (Genesis 5:23). Elijah was perhaps the most powerful of God's prophets in the Old Testament. There are also prophecies of Elijah's return (Malachi 4:5-6).

Why did God take Enoch and Elijah? The Bible does not specifically give us the answer. Some speculate that they were taken in preparation for a role in the end times, possibly as the two witnesses in Revelation chapter 11, verses 3-12. This is possible, but not explicitly taught in the Bible. It may be that God desired to save Enoch and Elijah from experiencing death due to their great faithfulness in serving and obeying Him. Whatever the case, God has His purpose...and it is not always for us to know or understand.

Answer 2

Enoch and Elijah were both translated, meaning they walked and were seen no more. Elijah we know was seen ascending into heaven (II Kings 2:11), however, Enoch just was no more. We could debate on whether Enoch went to heaven or paradise, since they are not the same place. But plenty of people died in many different ways, before Christ; Christ preached to the souls in prison when he ascended to hell to give them a chance to accept salvation, since salvation had not been preached to them. (I Peter 3:19). We know the bible isn't speaking of an earthly prison, because it talks of them being imprisoned since the days of Noah. We know that it is in the lower depths of the earth from (Ephesians 4:9).That particular verse makes it clear that Christ fulfilled all things when he ascended, meaning gave the chance of salvation to those on earth and those who had died.

We know from the bible that only 144,000 go to heaven. We know from Paul that the apostles are among that number, as well as the prophets. We know from (Revelation 7:4) that the number is of those who were sealed from all the tribes of the children of Israel.

We know from (Revelation 21:2) that God comes down from heaven to dwell with his people, and that there will be brand new heaven and a new earth, of which there would be no need if we were to all dwell in heaven.

We know from (Micah 4:2) that many, not all, but many nations shall go up to the mountain of the LORD and dwell with God. We know from (Micah 4:5) that the remaining people will continue to worship their own gods.

So in a long way I hope I have answered many questions that arise, from your one question. Enoch and Elijah are among the 144,000 that dwell in heaven.

Answer 3

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved. They believed and walked with God and God took them straight to heaven. The other Old Testament patriarchs went to Abraham's bosom (Hades) which was divided by the believers and unbelievers. When Jesus was crucified and descended into Hades and took captivitiy captive (took OT believers with Him) and defeated Satan and took the keys of Hades, they went to heaven with Jesus. After this time, there was no more an Abraham's Bosom. Believers in Jesus Christ now go straight to heaven at death. Body in ground, but spirit to God. Jesus and God are One.

Answer 4

With God all things are possible. Some think that the two witnesses in Revelation will be Elijah and Enoch or Moses. The bible says it is appointed unto man once to die, so they would have to come back to die.

Answer 5

Where Did Elijah Go

Answer 6

That's a good question. Maybe it was because Jesus was slain from the foundation of the earth in a sense (Revelation 13:8).

Answer 7

I believe its because, like Jesus, these two walked after God. They placed God first and God knew them. Jesus came to intercede for those who did not care to walk in favor of God as their Redeemer, author and our Savior. Religous fanatics prefer religion in order to accept God. They rather have somebody behind a pulpit explain how they should behave. Those who seek God for themselves, do not need religious intervention. Whereas, most likely their understanding of the gospel is not tainted by the sermon or pastor's personal agenda.

Answer 8

The Bible never says they went into the Lord's presence. It says that God took them. Took them where? From the New Testament we learn that the pre-Messianic saints from the Old Testament were taken to the place called Sheol. In Sheol they were not in the presence of God, but they did not suffer in the torments of Hell, either.

While Jesus's body was buried for three days, He went to those saints and preached the Gospel to them. He then led them free of captivity and into the presence of God.

Answer 9

Christ stands in the midst of time. Before Christ, those who were righteous looked forward to the coming Messiah. After Christ, the righteous look back and realize that Christ was the promised one. It all boils down to belief in Christ. They believed God and He counted it to them as righteousness.

Answer 10

they were chosen by God for special times...because they were so "perfect" for their time, they went up, but, they will come back down again..and will be killed and then rise again...(they will die..it is appointed unto man once to die....) they will die...ok? (the two prophets who are in revelations)