First Ascension into Heaven

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John 3:13…“No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man.”

As of the time Jesus died, no one had ascended into Heaven. Where did Enoch and Elijah go?
 
John 3:13…“No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man.”

As of the time Jesus died, no one had ascended into Heaven. Where did Enoch and Elijah go?
They were in limbo. The Apostle Creed states that Jesus descended to the dead or to hell. It wasn’t the hell of the devil but the waiting place of those who had died or taken and were awaiting the saving grace of the cross.
 
John 3:13…“No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man.”

As of the time Jesus died, no one had ascended into Heaven. Where did Enoch and Elijah go?
Even now, no one has “ascended” into Heaven but Jesus. That’s because no one but Jesus had the power to ascend there. Enoch and Elijah, like Mary, were assumed into Heaven.
And all the days of Henoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. And he walked with God, and was seen no more: because God took him.
Genesis 5:23-24.
And when they were gone over, Elias said to Eliseus: Ask what thou wilt have me to do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Eliseus said: I beseech thee that in me may be thy double spirit. And he answered: Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless if thou see me when I am taken from thee, thou shalt have what thou hast asked: but if thou see me not, thou shalt not have it.
And as they went on, walking and talking together, behold a fiery chariot, and fiery horses parted them both asunder: and Elias went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
2 Kings 2:9-11.

In Genesis, we see that Enoch walked with God and was then seen no more because God had taken him. In 2 Kings, we see that Elijah was taken up by a whirlwind into Heaven. In both instances, God did the acting (just like with Mary, later; she “was assumed” into Heaven; she did not “ascend” there).

That’s one of the proofs that Jesus was divine: He went into Heaven under His own power.
 
They were in limbo. The Apostle Creed states that Jesus descended to the dead or to hell. It wasn’t the hell of the devil but the waiting place of those who had died or taken and were awaiting the saving grace of the cross.
Did limbo come in two parts with a chasm in between, one side for Lazarus in the bosom of Abraham and one side for Dives, the rich man who ignored Lazarus?

And to Godfollower:
What do you say to the belief that Heaven was closed from the fall of Adam and Eve until Jesus reopened it at His Resurrection?
 
Did limbo come in two parts with a chasm in between, one side for Lazarus in the bosom of Abraham and one side for Dives, the rich man who ignored Lazarus?

And to Godfollower:
What do you say to the belief that Heaven was closed from the fall of Adam and Eve until Jesus reopened it at His Resurrection?
I beleive the Pope says that it is a state of being not a place.
 
Even now, no one has “ascended” into Heaven but Jesus. That’s because no one but Jesus had the power to ascend there. Enoch and Elijah, like Mary, were assumed into Heaven.

Genesis 5:23-24.

2 Kings 2:9-11.

In Genesis, we see that Enoch walked with God and was then seen no more because God had taken him. In 2 Kings, we see that Elijah was taken up by a whirlwind into Heaven. In both instances, God did the acting (just like with Mary, later; she “was assumed” into Heaven; she did not “ascend” there).

That’s one of the proofs that Jesus was divine: He went into Heaven under His own power.
Good Catch. However, they weren’t assumed into heaven until after Jesus’ death on the cross.
 
I wonder how the fact that God is in eternity and outside of time factors into our understanding of heaven not being open “Then” and it being open “Now”?

-Tim-
 
I wonder how the fact that God is in eternity and outside of time factors into our understanding of heaven not being open “Then” and it being open “Now”?

-Tim-
Thanks, Tim. An interesting thought, looking at it from G-d’s point of view. In my opinion, John was looking at it from our (timeline) point of view, that Heaven was closed from the Fall to the Resurrection.

And my apologies. When I started, I used the term “ascend” which has been pointed out is a unique term referenced to Jesus alone. Instead, the verse from John says “No one has gone up to heaven…”. I should have been more precise and used John’s words in my question.

Thanks for the good discussion!
 
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