Now we can understand Hebrews 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."
This verse plainly mentions two translations.
Examining this verse fact by fact, we notice that Enoch had faith and was translated. This translation-removal, transference-was on condition of FAITH. NOW what translation mentioned in the Bible is on condition of faith? Why, the one we read about in Colossians 1: 13. The Father "hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son."
This is a FIGURATIVE translation-a FIGURATIVE removal or transference from the spiritual darkness of this world to the light of the family or kingdom of God and Christ. In verse 10 Paul shows that to abide in this kingdom we must "walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing." This is exactly what Enoch did. He walked with God, and pleased God.
Then Enoch, the same as Christians, was delivered from the power of sin and darkness in which he had been living for sixty-five years. He was removed (translated) from the ways of the world and lived three hundred years according to God's ways so that he might inherit eternal life at Christ's return, and should not suffer the second death.
By faith Enoch was separated-removed or translated-from the world, the same as Christians who are not to be a part of the world, although living in the world.
Not only was Enoch FIGURATIVELY taken from the society of his day, but he was also LITERALLY removed-translated-so that he was not found.
God took him physically away from the people, just as He later took Moses. And God buried each so well that neither has ever been found since! Enoch had completed this present normal life. "All his days were three hundred sixty-five years." This was the second translation-a literal removal at death.
God gave Enoch this sign of physical removal as a type for all those who should later follow Enoch's example of faith. He was taken physically from the people just as Christians are to be spiritually removed from the ways of the world. The physical translation or carrying away of Enoch was also a sign to him from God that his faith had been accepted.
Like every true saint, Enoch is awaiting the hope of the resurrection and the return of Christ (Jude 14, 15).
You have been told that Elijah went to heaven. Yet over 900 years after Elijah was taken up by a whirlwind Jesus Himself said. "NO MAN ascended up to heaven, but He that came down from heaven, even the Son of man!" (John 3:13.)
Is this a Bible contradiction? Did Elijah really ascend to the heaven where God's throne is-even though Jesus said he didn't?
If Elijah is not in heaven today, then where did Elijah go?
There are three heavens mentioned in the Bible, not just one! And if, as Jesus said, no man, which included Elijah, had ever ascended to the heaven where He came from, then the heaven into which Elijah was taken was a different heaven!
Which one was it?
The third heaven is the heaven of God's throne, where Jesus is today. Jesus, being the High Priest of God, is the one who has the right to be in that heaven with the Father.
Notice why! Hebrews 8:1-5 explains that the original earthly tabernacle under the Old Covenant, with its most holy place, or compartment, was the type of the throne of God in heaven. Only the high priest-type of Christ as High Priest now-was allowed to enter!
The second heaven represents the expanse of this great universe-the space where we find the sun, moon, stars, comets and planets. How often do we find the Psalmist admiring the "heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon, and the stars, which Thou has ordained" (Psalm 8:3; Genesis 1: 15-17).
Beside the heaven of the stars, we find that the atmosphere, the air that surrounds this world, is also called heaven. Birds fly "in the midst of heaven" certainly not God's throne in heaven-for we read in Genesis 1:20 of "fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven." In blessing Jacob, I Isaac said; "God give thee of the dew of heaven," and I Moses joyed that the "heavens shall drop down dew" (see Gen. 27:28 and Deut. 33:28).
This first heaven, from which dew comes, means the atmosphere, where the clouds and the wind roam. Everyone of us is right now breathing the air of heaven!
Since Elijah could not have gone to the heaven of God's throne, then to which heaven did he go?-for the Scripture reads: "and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven" (11 Kings 2: 1, I 1).
The answer ought already be quite obvious! Elijah "went up by a whirlwind into heaven"-not to the heaven of God's throne, but into this earth's atmosphere, the first heaven.
There could be no whirlwind in any other place but in the atmosphere surrounding this earth-in the first heaven, in which the birds fly. You certainly have seen the great lifting power of a whirlwind, haven't you?
What was the reason for this unusual act of God? Why did He take Elijah up into the atmosphere? Was it to make him immortal? No! The Scripture says no word about that! The ancient prophets-including Elijah-did not receive any promise of immortality prior to or apart from us. Notice it in Hebrews 11:13 and 39: "These all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise!" And we shall not receive it until Christ returns (Heb. 1 1:40).
So Elijah was not to be made immortal-for that would give him pre-eminence above Jesus. But what does the Bible reveal as the reason for his removal? II Kings 2:3 and 5 has the answer.
Notice now what the sons of the prophets said to Elisha: "Knowest thou that the Lord will take away thy master from thy head today?" Or as the Smith and Good speed translation has it, "Do you know that today the Lord is about to take away your master from being your leader?" Christ is the head of the Church today as Elijah was the head or leader of the sons or disciples of the prophets in that day. God had sent Elijah as His prophet to wicked king Ahab and to his son Ahaziah. Now God wanted Elisha to direct His work, as Ahaziah the king had died (11 King1-18) and a new king was ruling.
So what did God do?
He could not allow Elijah to be among the people with Elisha directing the work now. That would have been the same as disqualifying him! God never takes an office from a man when that man has been performing his duty well, the only thing God could do would have been to remove Elijah so that another would fulfill the office.
This God did do. When he was taken up, Elijah's mantle dropped from him and Elisha picked it up See 11 Kings 2:12-15.
And what did the "mantle" mean?
In Clarke's Commentary we note that it was "worn by prophets and priests as the simple insignia of their office." (Vol. 2, page 484.)
The purpose of God in removing Elijah was to replace him with another man who would occupy Elijah's office in Israel for another fifty years. This work had to start under a new king, for Ahaziah had just died. And Elijah was already aging. So as not to disqualify Elijah in the sight of the people, God took him away from the sons of the prophets and the people, allowing the mantle which signified th office of Elijah to drop into the hands of Elisha. Thus God preserved the name and office of His prophet.
Having crossed Jordan near Jericho, Elijah was taken up by a whirlwind in what appeared to be chariot and horses of fire. The violent motion of the wind pulled the mantle off the prophet as he was seen to ascend into the sky. You probably remember reading the promise of Elijah that Elisha would have a double portion of the Spirit of God if he would be allowed by God to see Elijah taken up (11 Kings 2:9) All this meant that Elisha was to be the leader, the new head of the sons of the prophets.
Having ascended into the air, Elijah was born away out of the sight of the new leader-beyond the horizon. But-
This has been the perplexing problem to so many! He did not ascend to the throne of God. Jesus said so! Yet he couldn't remain in the air forever.
And God did not say that Elijah was to die at that time. If he were, Elisha could have assumed his new office without the removal of Elijah, for we know that Elisha died in office after fulfilling his duty (1 Kings 13:14).
The sons of the prophets who knew that their master was to be removed also knew that Elijah was not to die then. That is why they were fearful that the Spirit of God might have allowed him to drop "upon some mountain, or into some valley" (11 Kings 2:16) Elisha knew that God would preserve Elijah from falling, but at their insistence he permitted men to go in search for him-to no avail.
Elijah was gone!
And where to? Certainly the whirlwind used by God could not take him beyond the earth' atmosphere. Neither does the Bible account leave Elijah in the air!
Let us notice the next few years and see what further events the Scripture records. The new king Israel was another son of Ahab, Jehoram, or Joram he is sometimes called. The beginning of his reign marked the year of the removal of Elijah (II Kin 1: 18 and 3: 1). During this king's reign Elisha was the recognized prophet of God (11 Kings 3:1 1).
In fifth year of Joram king of Israel, the son of the king of Judah began to reign along with his father I Judah (11 Kings 8:16). His name also was Jehoram The first thing he did to establish his kingdom rule was to put his relatives to the sword lest they should claim the throne from him (11 Chronicles 21:4). nearly six years he followed the ways of the nation about him and did evil in God's sight.
Almost ten years had now expired since Elijah was taken from the people. But what do you think was about to happen?
Yes, after this wicked rule by the Jewish king, God chose Elijah to write a letter and have it sent to king!
The contents of the letter are found in 11 Chronicle 21:12-15. In part it reads: "Because thou hast not walked in the ways of . . . thy father..... but hast walked in the way of the kings of Israel... and also hast slain thy brethren of thy father's house, which were better than thyself . . . thou shalt have great sickness by disease."
From the wording of the letter, it is clear that Elijah wrote it after these events had occurred, for he speaks of them as past events, and of the disease as future. Two years after the king became diseased the king died-having reigned only eight short years (II Chronicles 21:18-20).
This proves that the letter was written about ten years after Elijah had been taken to another location by the whirlwind.
God used Elijah to convey the message because he was the prophet of God in days of the present king's father-and the son was not going in the ways of his obedient father, Jehosophat.
The letter he had others deliver was recognized as his-proving that he was known to be alive someplace. Just how much longer he lived, the Bible does not reveal. But in that "it is appointed unto men once to die"-Elijah must have died somewhat later. See Hebrews 9:27. All human beings born of Adam, and that includes Elijah, must die- for we read: "In Adam ALL DIE" (1 Corinthians 15:22). Elijah was a man "subject to like passions as we are" (James 5:17) ... subject to human nature and death! The prophet, being mortal flesh as we are, could not have lived much beyond his seventy years.
To suppose that God gave him the power of an endless life of nearly three thousand years already is to read into the Bible what is not there! He was mortal, subject to death, and after being lifted into the atmospheric heavens, spent the remaining years of his separate life at some little-known location on the earth, living as every human being, before he naturally died,
The only remaining texts that puzzle people are those relative to the appearance of Moses and Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration with Jesus. The record of the event is found in Matthew 17:1-9; Mark 9:2-10; Luke 9:28-36.
Leaving the mountain, Jesus told his disciples: "Tell the vision to no man (Mat. 17:9)." A vision is not a material reality but a supernatural picture observed by the eyes.
Moses died, and was buried (Deut, 34:5-6). Both he and Elijah were still dead in their graves, but in vision both they and Jesus were seen in the glory of the resurrection-an event to which Moses and Elijah have not yet attained (Heb. 11:39). The vision was granted the disciples after Jesus had spoken of the glory of immortality in the coming kingdom.
How plain the Bible is! Elijah is dead in the dust of the earth awaiting the resurrection of the just. Elijah, some years after being removed in the whirlwind, went to the grave, but will rise again to live forevermore!
The original title of our Magazine was Announcing the Kingdom of God--The Countdown has begun. Other organisations are producing similar material.
Visitors to this site should understand that NOT everybody is going to agree with ALL things written in EVERY booklet. We are hoping for a 90% agreement and let GOD mould us for the other 10%
Britain Under Siege .By Alan O'Reilly. A 78 page study has been carried out to show how Britain as a nation is under attack from numerous enemies because she has not "kept the ways of the Lord" but has "wickedly departed from God" 2 Samuel 22:22. History has shown how the Lord protected this nation in time of trial because she was faithful to Him but now, because of Britain's disobedience and sin,"God stirred him up another adversary" to punish her, 1 Kings 11:23. All those who would earnestly desire to see Britain "redeemed from the hand of the enemy before God's final, fiery judgement falls." "I will punish you according to the fruit of your doing, saith the Lord: and I will kindle a fire in the forest thereof, and it shall devour all things round about it" Jeremiah 21:14.
ED. A shocking study but well worth reading.Send donation 5.00; $10.00 to
Church of God P.O.Box 53 Farnborough Hants GU14OYZ UK
"Co-Incidences"? By Brigadier G. Wilson. A 21 page booklet; Linking Britain with
Ancient Israel. A very concentrated study that will warm the heart. Send
donation 3.00; $6.00.To Church of God P.O.Box 53 Farnborough Hants GU14OYZ UK
The Last Days of The Red Throne. By Des Thomas. One of the most remarkable of
prophecies written in the Bible today is being fulfilled before our very eyes. What you are about to read is dramatic, yet accurate and true. It is as exciting as any movie scene on television or the "big screen". but unlike any work of fiction, the plot and players involved are very real. Take the words that you read very, very seriously. You can be assured that THEY do. Donations 4.00; $8.00. To Church of God P.O.Box 53 Farnborough Hants GU14OYZ UK
Proof the Bible is True is a 48 page booklet packed with biblical facts which show without a doubt that "The Book", (the Bible) is Inspired and True.
Ed.This is an excellent book,the only thing we disagree with is that the earth is millions of years old.
Donations 3.00; $6.00. To Church of God P.O.Box 53 Farnborough Hants GU14OYZ UK
An amazing 100-page booklet uses prophecy, archaeology, languages, heraldry, etc. as proof it was. Maastricht prophesied? Send a donation of $5 dollars cash to Harold Hemenway. P.O.Box 88401, Tukwila, WA., 98138, U.S.A. or 4 to Church of God P.O.Box 53 Farnborough Hants GU14OYZ UK
1.) Are the food laws Scientific? A 42 page booklet explaining from the Bible which plants are edible; why blood and fat are forbidden; why cloven hooved ruminants and fish with fins and scales are edible; the rule for birds and fowl; all about grass hoppers and much more $2.00 --1.50
2.) Were The Feast Days Abolished? A 139-page booklet exposing counterfeit festivals and giving proof of feast days in Genesis. Sinai-Pentecost proven. New Testament observances explained. What do the holy days symbolise and prophesy for the future? Why celebrate them? $5.00---3.00
3.) What Does it Mean to "Turn The Other Cheek"? A 14-page booklet revealing the Bible's own interpretaion of Christ's own words. Is "an eye for an eye" really abolished? Is self-defense biblical? $1.00--1.00
4.) What's Wrong With Sex? A 136 page booklet discussing such topics as why Abraham and Jacob praciticed polygamy; the scientific reasons for being circumcised the eighth day, and whether Lot offered his daughters to homosexuals or not. Is abortion murder? What precautions did Moses take against venereal disease? Why avoid sexual intercourse during menstruation? Is the presence of a hymen proof of virginity? Under what conditions did Christ allow divorce? THIS IS NOT A FAIRY STORY.$5.00 --4.00
5.) What's wrong With The Calender? A 71-page booklet defining the biblical day on the north or south pole. Isn't the International Date Line in the wrong place? Did joshua's long day destroy the weekly cycle? Was there ever a Saturn-like ring around the earth? When did the four seasons begin? Should we use the visible crescent or the lunar conjunction; local sightings or Jerusalem? How do we calculate the monthly date line? Should we use "green ears" or the equinox; and how do we calculate festivals from scratch using the almanac? $3.00--3.00
6.) Should Christians Tithe? A 30-page booklet proving three seperate tithes from biblical and secular sources; the cycle of Sabbatical years; the "carnal commandment" and proof that both Christ and Paul tithed. $1.00--1.00
7.) Which Day is the Sabbath? A 66- page concentrated booklet which covers this
subject well.$7.10 ---4.00
8.) Is The Bible Racist? A 43 page booklet by Henry Anderson, tracing the origins of the three primary races from Ham,Japheth and Shem. Why did Moses marry an Ethiopian when God said "Neither shalt thou make marriages with them"? Is segregation biblical? What race was Adam? Phrases like "a diverse kind" and "perfect in his generations" are explained. Also, modern nations are tied historically to their biblical ancestors of Genesis ten. $6.00---3.00
Send U.S.A donations to:
Harold Hemenway. P.O.Box 88401, Tukwila, WA., 98138, U.S.A. Or UK donations to:
Church of God P.O.Box 53 Farnborough Hants GU14OYZ UK
Just what do you mead BORN AGAIN? Don't be too sure you know! Many religiouse
people talk about being "born again"-yet they don't really know what Christ meant by those words. The TRUTH is surprising!
The Plain Truth About Christmas...Where did we get Christmas? from the Bible, or
paganism? Here are astonishing FACTS which may shock you! Do you know the origin
of the Christmas tree- of "Santa Clause"?
"Easter... is it Christian?" What do rabbits laying colored eggs have to do with the Resurrection of Christ?
"Where are Enoch and Elijah?" Enoch was translated that he should not see death. Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. Yet the Bible reveals they are not in heaven today! WHERE ARE THEY?
"Where did Halloween Come from?" Did you know Halloween was celebrated by pagans
centuries before the New Testament church was founded?
"God's Holy Days" Reveal His plan of salvation.
"The Key to the Book of Revelation" Apocalypse of Mystery?-What is the meaning of this book? What are: The Seven Seals, The 4 Horsemen, The Mark of the Beast, The Image of the Beast, Armageddon, The Last Seven Pagues?
"Kingdom of God!...What Does That Mean to You?" Is it the Church? Is it something "set up in the hearts of men?" Is it the British Empire? Is it "the Good within you?" Is it "The millennium?"
"Lazarus and the Rich man" Do people burn forever in a hellfire? Do saved mothers up in heaven see the writhing and hear the shrieks of their own lost children thrown in hell?
"How often should we partake of the Lord's Supper"
"Predestination...Does the Bible teach it?" Is your ultimate fate decided for you in advance?
"Believe it or NOT---The Resurrection was NOT on Sunday!" Was Jesus three days and three nights in the grave, as He said in Matthew 12:40? Can you figure three days and three nights between sunset Good Friday and sunrise East Sunday?
"What do you mean...SALVATION?" Do you realize not one in a hundred knows what it is -how to get it-when you receive it? Don''t be too sure you do!
"Why do you observe Sunday?" The Bible teaches the observance of the Sabbath! Which day did Christ and the Apostles observe? Which day did Paul teach gentile converts to observe? How did the day become changed from the seventh to the first day of the week?
"Why were you BORN?"Do you really know why you were born? Do you realize God has
a purpose being worked out?
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