And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him. Gen. 5:24.
Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 2 Kings 2:11.
By faith Enoch was translated so that he did not see death. Heb. 11:5.
“And God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He placed the man whom He had formed.” And then afterwards, when man proved disobedient, he was cast out from there into this world. For that reason, the elders who were disciples of the apostles tell us that those who were taken up [i.e., Enoch and Elijah] were transferred to that place. For Paradise has been prepared for righteous men, those who have the Spirit. Likewise, Paul the apostle, when he was caught up, heard words in this place that are unspeakable. . . . So it is there that those who have been taken up will remain until the consummation of all things, as a prelude to immortality. Irenaeus (c. 180, E/W), 1.531.
Enoch was no doubt taken up, and so was Elijah. Nor did they experience death. It was most certainly postponed. They are reserved for the suffering of death, that by their blood, they may extinguish the Antichrist. Even John underwent death, although there had prevailed an unfounded expectation concerning him that he would remain alive until the coming of the Lord. Tertullian (c. 210, W), 3.227, 228.
Enoch and Elijah, even now, without experiencing a resurrection, are learning to the full what it is for the flesh to be exempted from all humiliation, all loss, injury, and disgrace—transported as they have been from this world, and from this very cause, already candidates for everlasting life. Tertullian (c. 210, W), 3.591.
Concerning the soul of Elijah . . . the Scriptures say that he was taken up in the flesh. . . . For it is shown by his case that the body is susceptible of immortality, as was also proved by the assumption of Enoch. Methodius (c. 290, E), 6.376, as quoted by Photius.
The two prophets Enoch and Elijah have been taken up into some remote place so they might attend our Lord when He comes to judgment. Lactantius (c. 320, W), 7.302.
Now, if it had pleased Him that all men should be immortal, it was in His power. For He showed this in the examples of Enoch and Elijah, whom he did not allow to have any experience of death. Apostolic Constitutions (compiled c. 390, E), 7.440.