Where were they taken? We read of the account of Enos in Genesis:
Genesis 5:18-24 And Jared lived an hundred sixty and two years, and he begat Enoch: And Jared lived after he begat Enoch eight hundred years, and begat sons …. And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah: And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.
In Hebrews, the Apostle Paul, tells us more of what happened to Enoch:
Hebrews 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated 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.
Where did God take him (bodily)? And then let’s look at Elijah. His life and ministry are recorded in 1 and 2 Kings. But look at 2 Kings 2:11.
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.
The last mention of Elijah is in Malachi speaking of his return to earth.
Malachi 4:5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:
Where did God take him (bodily)? In the New Testament ELIJAH is translated as ELIAS.
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John all refer to Elias (Elijah). And as we read some of the references a question comes to mind, Was John the Baptist ELIJAH (ELIAS)? Just look at the following verses. (Read them in context)
Matthew 11:14 And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.
Mark 9:11-13 And they asked him, saying, Why say the scribes that Elias must first come? And he answered and told them, Elias verily cometh first, and restoreth all things; and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought. But I say unto you, That Elias is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him.
Matthew 17:3, 10-12 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.
It would appear that the Lord Jesus was calling John the Baptist, ELIAS. But when John the Baptist was questioned, he answered:
John 1:21 And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.
Could it be that the Lord Jesus was referring to John the Baptist as fulling the spirit of ELIAS (not a bodily return).
Mark 9:2-6 (Matthew 17:1-4, Luke 9:28-30) Records the TRANSFIGERATION of Moses and Elias on the mount with the Lord Jesus. Could this be what the Lord was talking about when he said Elias would come? But back to the original question: Where were the bodies (Enoch, Elijah) taken? Enoch was translated, Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven BOTH men were taken BODILY.
But they could not have gone into Heaven where God is, as Christ had to be the first to go into Heaven, where God is, IN A BODY raised from the dead. Ergo, they must have gone into PARADISE (Luke 23:43, 16:19-31). Then followed Christ when He went into Heaven Ephesians 4:8-10.
1 Corinthians 15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept.
1 Corinthians 15:23 But every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.
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