Thank you for the question on Enoch, “Where did Enoch go if Christ said that no one has gone to heaven (John 3:13)?
There are two key passages on the life of Enoch. I cite them for one’s reading and observation of the text:
- Genesis 5 says this, “22 After he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked faithfully with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. 23 Altogether, Enoch lived a total of 365 years. 24 Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away” (A searchable online Bible in over 150 versions and 50 languages). Bible citations are from the New International Version.
- Hebrews 11 says this, “By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (A searchable online Bible in over 150 versions and 50 languages)
- Jude says this, “Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about them: “See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones 15 to judge everyone, and to convict all of them of all the ungodly acts they have committed in their ungodliness, and of all the defiant words ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” 16 These people are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage” (NIV).
Bible scholars have conjectured where did Enoch went when God took him. The same question would apply to Elijah when a chariot of horses took him upward.
A. Enoch died not a natural death of old age on earth.
B. Enoch was taken from earth to “paradise’’.
C. Enoch was taken from earth to heaven.
My view is that God took Enoch to paradise where his physical body was laid aside and his spirit dwell in paradise. Here are some Scriptures for one’s consideration:
A. Jesus declared that no one has entered heaven (John 3:13) except the Son of Man. Thus no Old Testament saints were in the Presence of God in heaven.
B. Jesus declared that God is not the God of the dead but of the living in Luke 20, “But in the account of the burning bush, even Moses showed that the dead rise, for he calls the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ 38 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive” (NIV). The Old Testament believers are in the presence of God.
C. Jesus declared to the repentant thief that he will be with him in paradise, “
“But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise” (NIV).
The words of Jesus may give us clue where Enoch went when God took him from the earth. Jesus declared that the repentant thief will be with him in paradise. It would seem that all Old Testament believers were in paradise. Praise God, heaven’s door is now open for the Lamb of God to come to earth to atone for the sins of the world (I John 2:2).
SUMMARY: God took Enoch to paradise even as he waited for heaven’s door to be opened by the Lamb of God..
For more perspectives:
https://www.quora.com/Where-did-Enoch-go-if-Christ-said-that-no-one-has-gone-to-heaven-John-3-13