Did Enoch and Elijah go to heaven?

Jane Isley
Aug 9
4 min read

Updated: Sep 2

I have to admit, for the longest time, I went back and forth on this, I’d settle on one answer, then later flip to the other, not going to lie about that.

But I do have an answer now, and it’s based on one verse, because sometimes one single verse can settle a whole lot of grief, but this article isn’t going to end how you think it will either.

First, we’re going to look at the three relevant verses.

“Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.” Genesis 5:24

“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.” Hebrews 11:5

“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.” 2 Kings 2:11

I’ll just spill the beans.

No, I don’t believe either went to literal heaven.

Now, before you click off, I want to explain my reasoning and bring in a couple of things that maybe some haven’t considered before.

Have to dig into a little Hebrew first.

In 2 Kings 2:11, the word shamayim, which does in fact mean “Heaven(s), sky” is used. But it is a dual noun, and it can refer to the literal sky or heaven.

Going to look at a few things super quick here.

So in Elijah’s case, it could mean “went up to the sky in a whirlwind,” and in the case of Enoch, it just says “God took him away” and “did not experience death.”

Nothing else, just took him, and no death, and nothing about heaven.

Something happened, but what?

That’s a good question.

We don’t truly know just what happened to them; we are not told they died, just removed in a manner that is completely unique to these two men.

If they had died, like a heart-stopping, brain-dead, CPR won’t work situation, simply put, they’d still be in their graves until the second resurrection in Revelation; the first being reserved for those who were killed for their testimony about Jesus. You can read more about that here.

But they didn’t die, we can clearly see that, and they also were not taken to heaven. The reason I hold to this is:

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

Here enters an interpretation.

So that entire section of John 3 has been debated multiple ways, the one that really stands out to me is that what Jesus “was really saying” wasn’t that people hadn’t gone to heaven already, but that He was pointing out that He had the details and expertise on the matter because His home is heaven.

Now I can see how this interpretation could be believed, except there are two things that throw a curveball at this interpretation.

1.“No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven”

That’s pretty darn specific. Heaven wasn’t an option yet because:

2. Jesus had to die and atone for our sins, and be resurrected first. No one can get there before Jesus; heaven is to be our paradise.

Kinda defeats the purpose if there were two exceptions to that rule, how can heaven be our paradise, our new Eden, if their sins weren’t properly atoned for first? And no, they were not sinless; only Jesus was.

What am I getting to already?

The common belief is that both were taken to heaven. But as you can see, I don’t believe that. BUT……both of these situations are extremely unique, and I think that that is worth a closer look at.

I guess the first very obvious one is the theory that they may be the two witnesses in Revelation. Do I think this is the case, actually? Yes, I think it’s possible.

We don’t know who these two witnesses are, but I do find it uncanny.

Neither Enoch nor Elijah is said to have died, but each departure at God’s hand is very unique. Enoch was taken before his death, and Elijah hitched probably one of the coolest rides out there.

Here’s the kicker and a nugget to think on.

If these two are the witnesses in Revelation — just how bad does the world get that God had to take two people from the very distant past, one of whom was in the world that God had to destroy, it was so bad, and bring them forward to prophesy to the world during the end times?

For this article, I’m not going to sit here and pretend I understand all of this, who those witnesses are, why those two were specifically pulled out by God, or what purpose that serves Him in the future.

But I will admit that I’m only 99% certain in my beliefs regarding this, and I say it that way to be honest. There are mysteries in the Bible, and it’s ok to be certain of a belief but open to God if you're wrong.

To be excited if He shows you something different, and be accepting if you never find out. Some things are not worth losing a fellow Christian over or becoming obsessed with.