Are Enoch and Elijah in Heaven?

If Enoch and Elijah were raptured and lived in heaven, why does the Bible say in John 3:13 “No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.”?

I- Introduction

Understanding Different Perspectives on Ascension into Heaven

The answers to the question raised above can give rise to various interpretations, sometimes contradictory, depending on the theological understandings adopted.

To shed light on this debate, here are three key biblical passages concerning notable climbs:

Enoch

Genesis 5:24 “Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.”
Hebrews 11:5 “By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.”

Elijah

2 Kings 2:11 “As they were walking along and talking together, 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.”

Jesus Christ

John 3:13 “No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.”

These verses, when placed together, are often central to discussions about the nature of the “ascent into heaven” and the uniqueness of Jesus Christ’s ascension.

Let us pray: O God, send Your Holy Spirit to fill the hearts of Your faithful and make them light in the fire of Your Love.

In the name of Christ! Amen !

II- Reflection

In the context of theological discussions, we have noted three distinct opinions among the many interpretations concerning biblical passages referring to ascensions to heaven:

II.1 Opinion No. 1 – Opinion Perceived as Contradictory

Apparent Biblical Contradictions: A Question of Interpretation

Anyone who reads the biblical texts concerning Enoch, Elijah, and Jesus without prior theological interpretation might, in fact, see an apparent contradiction. The passage in John 3:13, where Jesus declares: “No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.” is frequently cited by those who seek inconsistencies in the Bible.

However, it is important to note that these passages are generally reconciled by a deeper understanding of Christian theology, which distinguishes between the nature of ascensions and the unique status of Jesus Christ. The varied interpretations aim to resolve precisely these apparent tensions, offering different perspectives on how these events fit into the divine plan.

II.2 Opinion No. 2 – Non-Contradictory Opinion, But Enoch and Elijah Did Not Live in Heaven

Interpreting the Ascents of Enoch and Elijah: A Context-Based and Biblical Language Approach

This opinion bases its judgments on the human context and mind, relying on the nuances of each interpreted text.

She acknowledges the difficulty with the biblical accounts of Enoch and Elijah, which lies in the ambiguity of the language in which they are written. She also highlights the fact that Enoch’s story nowhere explicitly mentions where he was taken or that he did not die. The phrase “he did not see death” does not mean that he did not die. Indeed, Enoch’s accession could consist of an unconscious passage from life to death. God took him in such a way that he had no knowledge of death (Hebrews 11:5 “By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.”), just as a person dies during the night without realizing it.

The Three Heavens of the Bible

In Elijah’s account, it is important to consider the biblical understanding of “heaven”:

The first heaven: The terrestrial environment where birds fly and clouds move (the atmosphere).
The Second Heaven: The space beyond, which we call the cosmos or interstellar space.
The Third Heaven: What Paul calls the “third spiritual dimension” where God resides (2 Corinthians 12:2).

Whenever the Bible speaks of “heaven,” we must keep these three places in mind and let the context guide us in determining which place is being referred to.

When 2 Kings 2:11 says that Elijah “went up by a whirlwind into heaven,” it is not clearly stated where the chariot took him.

According to John 3:13, Elijah did not ascend to the third heaven.

The commentary adds an interesting point: King Jehoram received a letter from the prophet Elijah. At that time, Elisha was at the forefront of prophetic communication, as Elijah had been missing for years when the chariot of fire and the horses of fire had carried him away. However, Elijah wrote a letter to Jehoram to announce God’s judgment. Certainly, Elijah wrote this letter to Jehoram when he was not from heaven. There is only one possible explanation: Elijah was somewhere on earth, outside of all public life, but at God’s command, he wrote a letter to another individual living on earth.

Additional Scriptural Supports

This opinion also supports his ideas by emphasizing other biblical texts such as:

Hebrews 11:13 “All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. “. The word “these” certainly includes Enoch, mentioned eight verses earlier in Hebrews 11.
Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”
Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, …”
Ezekiel 18:4,20 “…The one who sins is the one who will die.”

Based on the above biblical passages, this second opinion concludes: “It is clear that Enoch and Elijah died, because the Bible clearly says so.”

II.3 Opinion No. 3 – Non-Contradictory Opinion, According to John 3:13

The Singularity of Jesus’ Ascension: A Third Perspective

This third view is based on the principle of literal interpretation of the Bible: “Biblical texts must be interpreted according to the ‘plain meaning’ as revealed by their grammatical construction and historical context.” This approach aims to respect the intention of the divine author and warns against personal interpretations that deviate from the original concepts.

From this perspective, there is no contradiction between the passages concerning Enoch, Elijah, and Jesus. Here’s why:

The Rapture of Enoch and Elijah

Enoch (Genesis 5:24) and Elijah (2 Kings 2:11) were taken up, but these events are not described as an ascension to the full glory of God, like that of Jesus. They are mentioned in a special way, but they are not said to have ascended to “heaven” in the same sense as that described by Jesus in John 3:13.
Enoch was “taken away” by a mysterious act of God.
Elijah was taken up in a whirlwind of fire, but this rapture is not described as an ascension into the glory of God in the same way as Jesus’ ascension.
Although Enoch and Elijah were indeed taken up into heaven, this does not necessarily mean that they entered into the “personal presence” of God as described for Jesus Christ after His resurrection and ascension. Their rapture can be considered a mystical act, but it is not identical to Jesus’ ascension.
It is also possible that Enoch and Elijah were taken to heavenly places, but not to the “third heaven” as Jesus Christ experienced it.

Why did God do this to Enoch and Elijah? The Bible does not provide an explicit answer. It is possible that God raised them from the dead as a reward for their obedience and faithful service. But that is God’s reason. As Christians, even if we do not always understand His plans and purposes, we know that “As for God, his way is perfect…” (Psalm 18:30).

Interpretation of John 3:13 in its Context

It is crucial to interpret John 3:13 in the context of Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus, a Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin.

John 3:13 refers to Jesus’ unique position as the Son of God. As God incarnate, He is the only one to have “descended” and “ascended” into heaven, in the sense that He is the Divine Messenger par excellence, the One Who came from heaven and will return there after completing His work on earth.
The idea behind this verse is to show that the ascension of the Son of Man (Jesus) into heaven is unique and incomparable. No one else has experienced this in such a complete and meaningful way.
John 3:13 can also be interpreted as teaching about the divine nature and uniqueness of Jesus. Although other people have been raptured or seen visions of heaven (such as Enoch, Elijah, and some Old Testament prophets), only Jesus possesses the special authority to open heaven and enter it as the Mediator between God and humanity.

In the context of theological theory:

John 3:13 can be understood to mean that no one can enter heaven by their own means or through human initiative. Only Jesus, the Son of God, possesses this authority and ability.
The rapture of Enoch and Elijah is considered an exception divine, a sovereign act of God that demonstrates His power to intervene in human history.

The Riddle of Elijah’s Letter

A riddle remains: “If Elijah is in heaven, how could he have sent a letter to King Jehoram, mentioned in 2 Chronicles 21:12?” Whatever the answer, this riddle does not call into question this third opinion, which focuses its interpretation on the divine nature and uniqueness of Jesus.

The explanations below are speculative and do not fall strictly within the third opinion, as they rely on symbolic or spiritual, rather than purely literal, interpretations to convey theological teachings or messages:

It is possible that God used him in a supernatural way to send this letter to King Jehoram.
The text can be understood as a story where Elijah, through another prophet (Elisha, for example), gave a divine message to be transmitted.
Prophets like Elijah are often described as having supernatural or divine abilities, allowing them to perform extraordinary acts, including communicating after their “earthly departure.”
Divine communication sometimes works in mysterious ways in Scripture. The letter sent to Jehoram could be seen as a prophetic act or divine message, rather than ordinary physical communication.

III- Conclusion

The Harmony of Biblical Narratives

Our final conclusion is based on the third perspective presented, which asserts that there is no contradiction between the biblical accounts of Enoch, Elijah, and Jesus.

John 3:13 refers to the divine ascension of Jesus, a unique event with a singular role. The raptures of Enoch and Elijah, on the other hand, are special acts of God, but they are distinct and do not reflect the same fullness of “ascension” as that of Jesus.

There is no contradiction because we understand that John 3:13 emphasizes the authority and unique mission of Jesus. He alone, by His divine nature, descended from heaven and returned there. The accounts of Enoch and Elijah, on the other hand, illustrate the sovereign act of God Who can, by His own will, take individuals to heaven.

Let us pray: O Father, I praise You. May Your Word soften my heart so that I may better follow You.