Jesus was “carried up” (Lk 24:51), “taken up” (Acts 1:9), “received up” (1 Tim 3:16). It makes me want to go up!
Two Old Testament characters and two from the New were caught up into heaven without dying: Enoch and Elijah, Paul and John. Of course, Paul and John returned to earth and later passed through death to enter heaven permanently. Why these four, and what is the lesson behind these men being caught up? First, let’s think about Enoch. Some reject the idea of the Rapture, suggesting that God’s people will pass through the judgment poured out on earth during the Tribulation, as Noah and his family were preserved. We know Israel’s remnant will be preserved through that terrible time. But to be consistent with the typology, we must see that Enoch’s catching up points to others being raptured out of this world before God’s wrath falls. This is the believers’ hope today. As for Paul, he was entrusted with explaining the Rapture and the novel truth that those in Christ will be “caught up” (Greek, harpaz?; Latin, rapturo) into heaven (1 Thess 4:17). So Paul himself was “caught up to the third heaven” (2 Cor 12:2) to experience what he was asked to explain. The apostle John, who had the privilege of writing the lynchpin of Bible prophecy, the book of Revelation, was also given access to “Come up” into heaven (Rev 4:1) to see the magnificent other world. But what about Elijah? The answer will be examined in our next study, but note his thrilling departure. Elijah had asked to die in the desert, a demoralized servant. Oh no! said the Lord. The man who fought boldly for the true God would sweep through the gates of glory in a chariot of fire like the champion he was! Are you feeling defeated? Remember, “in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Rom 8:37). Look up!