Hebrews 11:5
"By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see
death . . . "
Problem:
This passage is cited to prove that the souls
of the righteous depart to heaven at the instant of the death of the body.
Solution:
It is difficult to see how this passage can prove either
that man has an immortal soul, or that at death the soul departs to heaven. The
passage mentions neither souls nor heaven.
Enoch was translated that he
might not see death, but how can his experience be cited as proof for what will
happen to those who have died, or will die?
It is probably, but not
certain, that Enoch is dead. Consider the evidence:
The writer to the Hebrews
includes Enoch1 when he says, "These all died in faith, not having received the
promises . . . " (Heb. 11:13).
"Death reigned from Adam to Moses." (Rom.
5:14). No exceptions are noted in the context to this categorical assertion of
the kingship of death.
Enoch did not ascend to heaven - the dwelling
place of God, since it is expressly stated: "no man hath ascended up to heaven".
(Jn. 3:13).
Enoch is an example of the unknown in Scripture. It is not
known for certain in what way he was "translated" or changed. Neither is it
known where he went, when God took him. (Gen. 5:24). Only the hard pressed will
resort to this passage to prove either the immortality of the soul or heaven the
home of the righteous. The exhortation of Deuteronomy 29:29 is appropriate: "The
secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed
belong unto us . . . "
Footnotes:
It might be argued that Enoch
merits exception because of the specific statement earlier in the chapter that
he was "translated that he should not see death". (vs 5).
A corpse is a
body without life. An idiot is a body with a soul (life), but with only an
improperly functioning spirit (mind). It is the person with spirit and soul and
body - the whole person, which Paul prays may be "preserved blameless unto the
coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."
If the body is destroyed, then
necessarily the life and mind cease to function. In death there is a dissolution
of being. (Ecc. 9:5,6; Psa. 146:4).
Footnotes:
Ron Abel