In Judeo-Christian tradition, Enoch and the prophet Elijah are the only two figures described as being taken to heaven alive without experiencing death, according to Genesis 5:24 and 2 Kings 2:11 respectively. Enoch "walked with God; then he was no more, for God took him," while Elijah ascended in a fiery whirlwind, with a chariot of fire separating him from his disciple Elisha.
Eastern Christianity
The Eastern Orthodox Church teaches that three other persons were taken bodily into heaven: Enoch and Elijah (Elias) entered without dying. However the Theotokos (Virgin Mary) died, was resurrected, and taken to heaven, unlike the Western Assumption of Mary.
In the Sefer Hekalot, Rabbi Ishmael is described as having visited the Seventh Heaven, where he met Enoch, who claims that earth had, in his time, been corrupted by the demons Shammazai, and Azazel, and so Enoch was taken to Heaven to prove that God was not cruel.
Proverbs 30:4 New International Version (NIV)
Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Whose hands have gathered up the wind? Who has wrapped up the waters in a cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth?
Jehovah's Witnesses believe a literal 144,000, no more no less, will rule with Christ in heaven over the subjects on earth. For the Jehovah's Witnesses the 144,000 are the number of those from the time of Christ to 1935, although that number gets changed more recently.
490 is the numerical value of the biblical Hebrew word “tamim” which means to “complete,” “perfect,” or “finished.” A person who can't forgive will always live an imperfect, and incomplete life that lacks a true understanding of the “finished” gracious work of the cross.
Fifth, in Revelation 14:3 the 144,000 are described as those “redeemed from the earth” and in Revelation 14:4 as having been “redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb.” The redeemed are most naturally interpreted to refer to all the redeemed, both Jews and Gentiles.
Based on Hebrews 11:5 (King James Version), which says, “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death,” some believe that Enoch never died and was taken to heaven.
The partial, conditional or selective rapture theory holds that all obedient Christians will be raptured before the great tribulation depending on one's personal fellowship (or closeness) between her or him and God, which is not to be confused with the relationship between the same and God (which is believer, ...
Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of Jesus are definitely two different people. It's a common name. Just in the Christian New Testament, there's also Mary, the sister of Martha. And really, the name is Miriam/Maryam/Mary--Miriam being the sister of Moses.
Of particular note are some stark and uncanny references to the Book of Enoch in the New Testament: Jesus referred to The Book of Enoch; “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” (Mat 5:5) pulled from “The elect shall possess light, joy and peace, and they shall inherit the earth. (Enoch 5:7 {6:9})”
God, by definition, transcends the rules of time and space, existing outside the framework of creation. This means He doesn't need a beginning because He exists in a reality beyond our own.
The book describes the link between Enoch, son of Jared (great-grandfather of Noah) and his transformation into the angel Metatron.
Life in heaven—that transcendent, other-worldly realm—is only a temporary, intermediate state between the death and resurrection of our physical bodies. It will be a kind of “paradise” (Luke 23:43). In this new world, we will enjoy the fullness of life we were created for.
According to the Bible, Enoch and Elijah are the only two people God took to heaven without them dying.
Jesus speaks of forgiveness beyond what anyone had ever considered before: seventy times seven! Many commentaries understand this to mean that Jesus was telling Peter that he should forgive his brother a limitless number of times.
Looking Ahead: Christianity by 2050
According to the “Center for the Study of Global Christianity”, Christianity's growth rate will continue to rise in the Global South, with projections estimating nearly three billion Christians by 2050.
No, the Bible likens death to sleep (an unconscious state) for all people. That means that even Christians do not go anywhere upon death. Scripture does, however, reveal that God's people will be resurrected at the return of Jesus Christ and will reign with Him on the earth.
Fact: Two men who never died
Enoch and Elijah are the only people in the Bible who did not die a natural death. Instead, they were “taken by God.”
It is recorded in Genesis 5:24 that "Enoch walked with God: and he was not: for God took him." In Hebrews 11:5 the writer states it like this: "He (Epoch) was not found because God had translated him." So, the argument is sometimes made that Enoch went to heaven because God translated him.
The number 1,000 signifies completeness or a great number. This number, then—144,000—is the great and complete multitude of God's people! This is a much more fitting way of reading Revelation and the message it conveys. Let's not constrain God only to saving 144,000 with him in heaven.
This shows they represent all of God's faithful people, not a literal group of unmarried men or women. The 144,000 in Revelation are described as 'virgins,' but this is symbolic language representing their spiritual faithfulness to God.
The 144,000 is the group to be sealed and protected from what is coming upon this earth during the seven last plagues. Revelation 14 describes them as those who were “redeemed from the earth”.