People Who Have Not Died

Cross-references Parent Topic a Related Topics Definition of "Death" Walking with God Additional Materials c

To better understand these comments, it is important to have an accurate understanding of what death is!

• Definition of "Death"

Scripture tells us about two people who have not died. These are Enoch and Elijah. Jesus Christ does not fit in this category, because he did experience death... and has come to life again.

Enoch

Scripture tells us that Enoch "walked with God," and that God took him, instead of death taking him (Genesis 5:24). The book of Hebrews also refers to this event, noting that Enoch "pleased" God in a special way, and that he did not die. (Hebrews 11:5).

Genesis 5:24 and Hebrews 11:5 Genesis - Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him. Hebrews - By faith, Enoch was taken away, so that he wouldn't see death, and he was not found, because God translated him. For he has had testimony given to him that before his translation he had been well pleasing to God.

Interestingly, this specific form of the phrase "walked with God" occurs only in the accounts of pre-Flood people, and is to be distinguished from the phrase "walked before God," which is found in Scripture after the Flood. Perhaps there was a fellowship with God that was similar to the face-to-face fellowship that originally took place in the garden, between the first humans and God. (This fellowship is alluded to in a brief comment, after the fellowship was broken - Genesis 3:8.)

Genesis 3:8a They heard the voice of Yahweh God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, ...

Elijah

The only other instance of someone not dying is Elijah. In his case, he was caught up to heaven in a whirlwind. Only Elisha, who would take his place, witnessed the event (2 Kings 2:11-12). But others knew in advance that it would happen, and the "spirit of Elijah" rested upon Elisha, just as had been foretold. (See 2 Kings 2.)

2 Kings 2:11-12a It happened, as they still went on, and talked, that behold, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. Elisha saw it, and he cried, "My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!" He saw him no more ...

There is a prophecy that Elijah will return before the final "Day of the Lord (Yahweh)" arrives (Malachi 4:5-6). That prophecy was partly fulfilled in John the Baptist, who had "the spirit of Elijah" in him, and who prepared the people for the coming of Jesus Christ (Luke 1:17). But there may be also a fulfillment of this prophecy that is yet to come, perhaps with the "original" Elijah being physically present.

Malachi 4:5-6 and Luke 1:17 Malachi - Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of Yahweh comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse. Luke - He [John] will go before him [Jesus] in the spirit and power of Elijah, 'to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,' and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

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Unless otherwise noted, all notes and comments are © by Dennis Hinks.