We’ve been reading your website for a few months now and we’ve learned a great deal about current events and how they relate to Biblical prophecy. We also enjoy your writing style and indepth approach to studying the Scriptures. My question is this: I know that before Jesus died for us, no one could go to heaven and be in the presence of God. Where did Enoch go when he was translated, and where did Elijah go when he was taken up into heaven? God bless you. We pray for you often.
Enoch and Elijah are two Old Testament examples of men taken live into heaven. Neither of them died first. In Enoch’s case he is specifically described as “walking with God.” Elijah of course went in a chariot of fire that swooped down and picked him up in a whirlwind.
The Bible doesn’t describe their destination specifically, but some scholars have speculated that they were raptured just as the church will be. If that’s the case, they were pushed forward in time and given perfected bodies allowing them to survive in the presence of God. Enoch has no further mission that we know of as far as Earth is concerned, but Elijah continues to be involved with mankind being anticipated at every Passover and present in spirit at circumcisions. He also appeared on the Mt. of transfiguration with Moses and will serve with him as one of the two witnesses of Revelation 11.