No, neither Enoch nor Elijah was taken into heaven alive by God. The meanings of Genesis 5:24, 2 Kings 2:11 and Hebrews 11:5 are what people have failed to understand. Jesus Christ stated clearly, in John 3:13, that no one, including Enoch and Elijah, has ever gone into heaven except him. The Scriptures cannot be broken. No Bible statement can ever contradict another Bible statement. If this is the case, then what is the truth about Enoch and Elijah in relation to death and heaven? The answer is below.
Enoch Vs Heaven and Death
As the books of Genesis 5:24 and Hebrews 11:5 say that God took Enoch away, it does not mention “heaven.” It is only some Bible translations that added the word “heaven.” In the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures, where the translation was made from, the word “heaven” does not occur. Also, as the book of Hebrews 11:5 says that Enoch did not experience or see death, it does not mean that he did not die. It is only some Bible translations that say he did not die. In the Greek Scriptures where the translation was made from, the word “die” does not occur.
Questions and Answers About Enoch Being Taken Into Heaven Alive by God
Question 1: If God did not take Enoch alive into heaven, where did he take him?
Answer: Somewhere else, unspecified by the Bible. God is under no obligation to reveal everything to us. The secret things belong to God. (Read Deuteronomy 29:29)
Question 2: If Enoch eventually died where God took him, why did the Bible say that he did not see or experience death?
Answer: The expressions “did not see or experience death” does not mean that he did not die later after God had taken him to the undisclosed location. It simply means that when died, he did not go through or experience the normal process of death, such as gasping for air, feeling the agony of death that others feel before they die. He died peacefully, without struggling with death and its accompanying pains.
NOTE: Even Hebrews 11 where Enoch was mentioned says in verse 13 that all those mentioned there, including Enoch, died.
Elijah Vs Heaven and Death
As the book of 2 Kings 2:11 say that Elijah was taken into heaven, it does not mean the third heaven where God’s throne is located and where Jesus Christ came from and ascended back to. There are three heavens and that is why the Bible mentions “third heaven” in 2 Corinthians 12:2. It simply means that Elijah was taken into the second heaven, that is the sky or space.
NOTE: Jesus clearly stated that no one else has ever gone into heaven, that is, the third heaven, except him(Jesus). (Read John 3:13)
So, prophet Elijah was not taken into the third heaven. In fact, this same Elijah, later wrote a letter to King Jehoram, in 2 Chronicles 21:12. If he were in the third heaven, then, that wouldn’t be possible.
In terms of death, Elijah, eventually, died because the Bible says that all humans are destined to die. ~HEBREWS 9:27
Jesus Christ Is the First Human Being who Gained Victory Over Death
Jesus Christ, having perfectly satisfied all conditions, is the first human being to gain victory over physical death. This is one of the reasons he has preeminence over all other people and things. Therefore, to say that either Elijah or Enoch never died is tantamount to saying that they have preeminence over Jesus Christ, contrary to Scripture. Although, all believers in Jesus Christ share in his victory over physical death, their own victory physical death will only be activated for them at the resurrection of the just. Nevertheless, all believers are already enjoying victory over spiritual death.
CONCLUSION
Enoch and Elijah were not taken into heaven alive by God. Any other contrary argument does not matter. What matters is Jesus’ statement that “No one has ever gone into heaven except him(Jesus). (John 3:13)
FURTHER READING
Should Christians Keep The Law Of Moses/Old Testament Laws?
Difference In The Genealogy Of Jesus: Matthew 1 vs Luke 3 Explained.