Seeking Biblical contradictions.
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This is one of the most MISiNTERPRETED verses in the Bible. And it has also been corrupted in the Critical Text and the modern versions.
CRITICAL TEXT (mutilated verse)
καὶ οὐδεὶς ἀναβέβηκεν εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν εἰ μὴ ὁ ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καταβάς, ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου. [ὁ ὤν ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ omitted]
RECEIVED TEXT
καὶ οὐδεὶς ἀναβέβηκεν εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν εἰ μὴ ὁ ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καταβάς ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ὁ ὤν ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ.
Literal rendering: And no man has gone up into Heaven if not the [One] out of Heaven having come down, [even] the Son of Man who is in Heaven.
KING JAMES BIBLE
And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
Firstly, what is the context of this verse? Jesus was teaching Nicodemus the absolute necessity of the New Birth, and speaking about heavenly things. Christ went on to assure him that only He who had come down from Heaven could testify to these heavenly things which He not only knew but had also seen.
It is in this context that Christ speaks of His UNIQUE ASCENSION into Heaven. He is prophesying about Himself, that after His death, burial, and resurrection, He would ascend to Heaven as the resurrected one who had come down from Heaven.
But He did not stop there. He added something at the end to show that He is God. While the Son of Man is on earth, He is also in Heaven in the Spirit. So Christ was always in two realms at the same time.
Therefore this is not a denial of the ascension of Enoch and Elijah (which almost everyone concludes) but it is a revelation of the uniqueness of the Son of God who is also the Son of Man.
CRITICAL TEXT (mutilated verse)
καὶ οὐδεὶς ἀναβέβηκεν εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν εἰ μὴ ὁ ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καταβάς, ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου. [ὁ ὤν ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ omitted]
RECEIVED TEXT
καὶ οὐδεὶς ἀναβέβηκεν εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν εἰ μὴ ὁ ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καταβάς ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ὁ ὤν ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ.
Literal rendering: And no man has gone up into Heaven if not the [One] out of Heaven having come down, [even] the Son of Man who is in Heaven.
KING JAMES BIBLE
And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
Firstly, what is the context of this verse? Jesus was teaching Nicodemus the absolute necessity of the New Birth, and speaking about heavenly things. Christ went on to assure him that only He who had come down from Heaven could testify to these heavenly things which He not only knew but had also seen.
It is in this context that Christ speaks of His UNIQUE ASCENSION into Heaven. He is prophesying about Himself, that after His death, burial, and resurrection, He would ascend to Heaven as the resurrected one who had come down from Heaven.
But He did not stop there. He added something at the end to show that He is God. While the Son of Man is on earth, He is also in Heaven in the Spirit. So Christ was always in two realms at the same time.
Therefore this is not a denial of the ascension of Enoch and Elijah (which almost everyone concludes) but it is a revelation of the uniqueness of the Son of God who is also the Son of Man.
K
Hi there, good question, one I've spent a fair amount of time on myself. For clarity's sake, my belief is scriptures do not contradict scriptures. John 17: 17 Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth. I believe that.
Offering 2 pieces of evidence, Hebrews 11, and 2 Chronicles 21.
In Hebrews 11, Paul is speaking of those who have died~ not yet receiving the promise. He mentions Enoch by name. Now why would Paul throw him in with the rest if he were not dead like the rest? He wouldn't. Enoch was translated or transferred, to another place on earth. (possibly saving his life from danger at that time I'm speculating)
In 2 Chronicles, Elijah writes a letter to a wicked king, after he had been taken up, after he'd given his mantel to Elisha. (He was taken up, or transported to a different place on earth, taking him out of the way so Elisha could take his place (with a double portion)
There are different levels of heaven, one being where the birds fly.
These are my opinions, I'm a searcher for truth not a Bible scholar. Blessings~
Offering 2 pieces of evidence, Hebrews 11, and 2 Chronicles 21.
In Hebrews 11, Paul is speaking of those who have died~ not yet receiving the promise. He mentions Enoch by name. Now why would Paul throw him in with the rest if he were not dead like the rest? He wouldn't. Enoch was translated or transferred, to another place on earth. (possibly saving his life from danger at that time I'm speculating)
In 2 Chronicles, Elijah writes a letter to a wicked king, after he had been taken up, after he'd given his mantel to Elisha. (He was taken up, or transported to a different place on earth, taking him out of the way so Elisha could take his place (with a double portion)
There are different levels of heaven, one being where the birds fly.
These are my opinions, I'm a searcher for truth not a Bible scholar. Blessings~
since i was a child i wondered if this means Enoch & Elijah - neither of whom tasted death - will be the two witnesses, and then die at their appointed time, to be raised again.
but it was pointed out to me, that those who are alive and remain will be caught up in the air with Him. if they are appointed also to die, then in being transformed they must also experience a kind of death. so Enoch & Elijah in being translated may fulfill the passage likewise.
but it was pointed out to me, that those who are alive and remain will be caught up in the air with Him. if they are appointed also to die, then in being transformed they must also experience a kind of death. so Enoch & Elijah in being translated may fulfill the passage likewise.
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This is problematic. Jesus states that no one ascended to and descended from heaven, except himself, but obviously Elijah and Enoch both ascended to heaven. There are many such contradictory statements throughout Scripture, but hardly anyone knows how to answer them. We should always question things when they aren't coherent and consistent.