Ep.1413: What Really Happened to Enoch, Moses and Elijah?
Scripturally establishing the truth about their end-of-life experiences
CHAPTERS
Theme Scripture: Deuteronomy 34:5-6
Reading the Bible can be confusing. After all, it is an ancient book of a collection of writings by about 40 people over a 1500-year span that details the plan of God through history, prophecy, parables, laws, observations and life guidance teachings. Some of the accounts of specific individuals featured in the Bible can come across as shrouded in mystery. Such is the case with the ending of the lives of Enoch, Moses and Elijah. The accounts of the deaths of these three faithful men can bring more questions than answers. What really happened to them? Was Enoch taken up to be with God? Why was the body of Moses hidden, and why did Satan seem to want it? Did Elijah really go to heaven in a fiery chariot?
Moses and Satan
Moses’ death is recorded in Deuteronomy 34, where God Himself buried him in an unknown location. While this seems to be a very clearly stated end of his life, Jude 1:9 adds the unusual detail of Michael the archangel disputing with Satan over Moses’ body, possibly to prevent the people of Israel from idolizing it.
Elijah the prophet
Elijah’s departure in 2 Kings 2 is often misunderstood. Though taken up by a whirlwind with fiery chariots present, the Hebrew word for “heaven” often refers to the sky rather than God’s dwelling place. Jesus’ statement in John 3:13 confirms that no one ascended to God’s heaven before him. Elijah may have been removed from prophetic service or died, but he was not taken to God’s abode.
Both Moses and Elijah appeared in The Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17, Mark 9, Luke 9) vision. This vision was NOT a literal resurrection of Moses and Elijah, as the Bible clearly defines death as the absence of life on any level. Jesus alone was transfigured, while Moses and Elijah symbolically represented the Law and the Prophets, pointing to Christ as the centerpiece of God’s plan.
Enoch "translated"
Finally, in relation to Enoch, “God took him” (or "translated" him according to the King James Version). While many notions exist about Enoch never dying, careful reading of the scripture texts in question reveal that he did die and likely didn’t know his death was coming.
Examining these fascinating narratives reveals the allure of creating drama where there is none, as well as the dangers of scriptural misinterpretation. Instead of being imaginative, let’s rely on the fact that God is in complete control of everything we simply don’t know!
after hearing your discussion, the question remains – where did the bodies of moses and elijah really go?
Hi, Linda, thank you for writing with your question. Moses’ grave was hidden by God, and he is now long dust. Elijah either died in the whirlwind (likely) or lived a little longer based on the letter the King of Judah received some time after the whirlwind event. Please see the CQ Rewind Show Notes Bonus Material for possible explanations for that letter being received later. Either way, he also is in his grave, long dust, both awaiting the resurrection on earth. – Christian Questions