What happened to Elijah?

[Robert Lindstrom]

Did Elijah truly get caught up into heaven and never tasted death or did he die?

 

[Robert Lindstrom]

2Ki 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. (KJV)

According to that scripture it seems that he went up into heaven and possibly never tasted death.

According to this scripture, he did not ascent up into heaven and therefore tasted death.

Joh_3:13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. (KJV)

What really happened here?

 

[iLOVE]

Enoch and Elijah are the two witnesses in the book of Revelation 11:3-12. In order for them to receive a glorified body they must die.

 

[Sinthesis]

Wherever Elijah was, he could still send letters.

2Ch 21:8 ¶ In his days the Edomites revolted from under the dominion of Judah, and made themselves a king.
2Ch 21:9 - Then Jehoram went forth with his princes, and all his chariots with him: and he rose up by night, and smote the Edomites which compassed him in, and the captains of the chariots.
2Ch 21:10 - So the Edomites revolted from under the hand of Judah unto this day. The same time also did Libnah revolt from under his hand; because he had forsaken the LORD God of his fathers.
2Ch 21:11 - Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah, and caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication, and compelled Judah thereto.
2Ch 21:12 ¶ And there came a writing to him from Elijah the prophet, saying, Thus saith the LORD God of David thy father, Because thou hast not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat thy father, nor in the ways of Asa king of Judah,
2Ch 21:13 - But hast walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and hast made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go a whoring, like to the whoredoms of the house of Ahab, and also hast slain thy brethren of thy father's house, which were better than thyself:
2Ch 21:14 - Behold, with a great plague will the LORD smite thy people, and thy children, and thy wives, and all thy goods:
2Ch 21:15 - And thou shalt have great sickness by disease of thy bowels, until thy bowels fall out by reason of the sickness day by day.​

 

[Eugene]

2Ki 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. (KJV)

According to that scripture it seems that he went up into heaven and possibly never tasted death.

According to this scripture, he did not ascent up into heaven and therefore tasted death.

Joh_3:13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. (KJV)

What really happened here?

Just some thoughts on this, as there are many online explanations which must be subject to assumption without full disclosure of the intent of scripture. Is our understanding of time included in the evidence? For instance: as a Christian at this present time we die, our spirit goes to be with God, and our body sleeps as it were until the resurrection.

In the past prior to Jesus crucifixion, and 1 Pet 3:19 by which Jesus went and preached unto the spirits in prison of what was Abraham’s bosom, none had ascended into the third heaven. That was also paradise promised to the thief on the cross in Luk 23:43, but later we see the Apostle Paul caught UP into paradise according to 2 Cor 12:4. That was the result of Jesus ascending into heaven after preaching to those in Abraham’s bosom and Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive (Eph 4:8).

It’s a pleasure to have you join us here in Christian fellowship Brother Robert Lindstrom, but I’ll leave off here until I see your response; I get to rambling at times. Blessings in Christ Jesus.

 

[Corn Pop]

I believe he died in battle.

 

[Robert Lindstrom]

Just some thoughts on this, as there are many online explanations which must be subject to assumption without full disclosure of the intent of scripture. Is our understanding of time included in the evidence? For instance: as a Christian at this present time we die, our spirit goes to be with God, and our body sleeps as it were until the resurrection.

In the past prior to Jesus crucifixion, and 1 Pet 3:19 by which Jesus went and preached unto the spirits in prison of what was Abraham’s bosom, none had ascended into the third heaven. That was also paradise promised to the thief on the cross in Luk 23:43, but later we see the Apostle Paul caught UP into paradise according to 2 Cor 12:4. That was the result of Jesus ascending into heaven after preaching to those in Abraham’s bosom and Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive (Eph 4:8).

It’s a pleasure to have you join us here in Christian fellowship Brother Robert Lindstrom, but I’ll leave off here until I see your response; I get to rambling at times. Blessings in Christ Jesus.

It is nice to meet you and yes our understanding of time is included in the evidence. You are correct, JESUS certainly did preach to the spirits in prison which was paradise in the earth next to hell itself where the rich man was.

Luk 16:22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
Luk 16:23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
Luk 16:24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
Luk 16:25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
Luk 16:26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

According to Heb 11:13 , Enoch and everyone that died in faith having not received the promises, had somehow died.They somehow ended up in paradise.
All of them went to paradise until JESUS had finished the Work on the cross and had preached to the spirits in prison.

Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Heb 11:2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
Heb 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
Heb 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
Heb 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.
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Heb 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
Heb 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
Heb 11:9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
Heb 11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Heb 11:11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
Heb 11:12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
Heb 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

So Elijah lived until, I think 20 years later, not sure on the exact time here. He did write a letter that is mentioned which is I guess 10 or 20 years later according to "2Ch 21:12".

2Ch 21:12 And there came a writing to him from Elijah the prophet, saying, Thus saith the LORD God of David thy father, Because thou hast not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat thy father, nor in the ways of Asa king of Judah,

 

[JohnDB]

OK.
No. Elijah didn't taste Death.

Because he faced it every day and in spectacular ways.

First off he faced death with the famine.
Then he faced down the King with his 500 prophets of Baal.
Then the Queen wanted his head.
Then he ran off to commit suicide by exposure.
Then he left Israel...then returned expecting to be judged by God.

Death was a reward for this little prophet who felt like he was such a failure that he deserved death.

But he got better than death...he got eternal life.

 

[Free]

2Ki 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. (KJV)

According to that scripture it seems that he went up into heaven and possibly never tasted death.

According to this scripture, he did not ascent up into heaven and therefore tasted death.

Joh_3:13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. (KJV)

What really happened here?

I think the difference may be between what is meant by Elijah being taken "into heaven," and what is meant by "ascended up to heaven" in John. I don't think we can know for certain, although there likely are some plausible explanations.

 

[Free]

I believe he died in battle.

Do you have proof for this?

 

[Free]

In order for them to receive a glorified body they must die.

Do you have proof for this?

 

[By Grace]

I think the difference may be between what is meant by Elijah being taken "into heaven," and what is meant by "ascended up to heaven" in John. I don't think we can know for certain, although there likely are some plausible explanations.

Are you perhaps making a difference in the mode (or way) that Elijah, or anyone else (assuming that we are talking about Christians) gets into heaven?

IMO, the important word here is the destination, and its properties. Since heaven is the abode of the Godhead and there can be nothing impure of sinful in heaven--remember that Satan was kicked out of heaven, that all humans who there are fully justified and holy as are the sinless angels

 

[By Grace]

Do you have proof for this?

1 Corinthians 15:

42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:
44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.
48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly​

 

[Free]

1 Corinthians 15:

42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:
44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.
48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly​

That doesn't prove the statement that was made. You need to continue with the next few verses:

1Co 15:51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
1Co 15:52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.
1Co 15:53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. (ESV)

 

[Free]

Are you perhaps making a difference in the mode (or way) that Elijah, or anyone else (assuming that we are talking about Christians) gets into heaven?

IMO, the important word here is the destination, and its properties. Since heaven is the abode of the Godhead and there can be nothing impure of sinful in heaven--remember that Satan was kicked out of heaven, that all humans who there are fully justified and holy as are the sinless angels

I can see how it would seem that I was addressing the mode but that was not my intent. The focus is more on the destination and just what "heaven" means in each of those verses.

 

[Corn Pop]

do you have proof for this?

No. None at all.

 

[Free]

No. None at all.

So you do actually believe that, and if so, why, or are you being facetious?

 

[Corn Pop]

I believe it going from the figures of speech in the scriptures and the events. Im probably wrong but i dont see it as a major problem.

 

[iLOVE]

Do you have proof for this?

Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: Malachi 4:5

And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up here. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. Revelation 11:11-12 NKJV

 

[Free]

Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: Malachi 4:5

And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up here. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. Revelation 11:11-12 NKJV

Quite clearly not what I was asking for proof for.