Heaven

[pac]

Hey everyone,

Ok, I am curious in finding some literature in which it explains what I was taught years ago. To my understanding no one entered heaven until Jesus’ ascesion. Is there anything specific in the Bible that tells us this…or is this tradition. My reasoning for asking is in reference to Elijah and how he entered Heaven in a whirlwind in the Old Testament.

thanks in advance

 

[steve_pattee]

I believe our exact placement with God after our earthly death will remain a mystery until the Final Passover of the Lamb of God.

From the Catechism: “The Church will enter the glory of the kingdom only through this final Passover, when she will follow her Lord in his death and Resurrection. The kingdom will be fulfilled, then, not by a historic triumph of the Church through a progressive ascendancy, but only by God’s victory over the final unleashing of evil, which will cause his Bride to come down from heaven…” section 677.

We know from Jesus in today’s Gospel(Lk 13:22-30) that “…only a few people (will) be saved.” Those ‘few’ will include the holy ones who came before him, “… Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God…” The Transfiguration also made it clear that Moses & Elijah are in God’s hands.

So, are Elijah and the other holy ones before Jesus’ earthly life in the kingdom of God? Absolutely! Have they or anyone else “entered heaven?” That is a great question that will be answered through your continued study, prayer, faith, and your own glory in heaven.