John 3:13
And no man hath ascended up to heaven,
but he that came down from heaven,
even the Son of man which is in heaven.
Our question not only involves who but also when and how. Some even ask if any get to heaven.
How about Adam? Was he ever given the hope of heaven? Not that we can find. When plans for his making were laid out in Gen. 1:26-29, Adam had dominion over the earth and over the things of the earth. Adam forfeited his dominion through disobedience to God and His Word, and his dominion was transferred to Satan, God, and our total enemy.
How about Enoch? Did he go to heaven? Not according to John 3:13. As late as about A.D. 64 and still to today, no one has gone to heaven except The Lord Himself.
How about Elijah? John 3:13 answers that question, too. Furthermore, Elijah wrote a letter to the king of Judah after a tornado took him from the kingdom of Israel, leaving Elisha in his place. 2 Chron. 21:12.
How about Abraham? He is dead but counted by God as though living. When the Lord was speaking of Resurrection to the Sadducees, He reminded them that God had said, "I AM the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. God is not the God of the dead, but of the living" (in Resurrection), Mat. 22:32. Furthermore, Abraham was promised a land, not a part of heaven (Heb. 11:8-16). In Heb. 11:16, the Scripture says, "a better country, that is, an heavenly," and God's Word tells us that country is a city and that city is The New Jerusalem that is made in Heaven but comes down to earth from Heaven for the OT believers knew their inheritance was Earth. See Matt. 5:5, John 14:2-3, Heb. 11:13 Notice it says the believers listed: "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. ", Rev. 18:23, The Lord Lives there with all who are children of Abraham, by faith or descent, and who have no part in heaven, but in the promises to Abraham.
How about David? In Acts 2:29, Peter makes it emphatic that David is dead and buried. In Acts 2:34, he says that David has not ascended into the heavens, nor does he have any such prospect. At that time, it was the sole prerogative of Christ to ascend into Heaven. No other had such right or Hope.
How about the dying malefactor? He asked for a part in The Kingdom, which is to be on the earth. He was denied that but promised a part in paradise, a future home on the earth after The Kingdom Millennium was over.
How about John the Baptizer? He was numbered with the prophets who spoke of The Kingdom, the Millennial reign of Christ here on the earth. He knew nothing of anyone going to heaven. He had no such Hope.
How about the 12 Apostles? Their Gospel was that of The Kingdom here on the earth with The King sitting on the throne of His father, David. Furthermore, in the New Earth, their names will be written on the foundations of the walls of the New Jerusalem, which will be on the earth, not in heaven. See Rev. 21:10-14. When the King comes to set up this Kingdom of His, the 12 will be among those in the former Resurrection. 1 Cor. 15:22-23, and 1 Thes. 4:13-18.
How about Paul? Up till the end of Acts, Paul had no other hope than that of the 12. He preached The Kingdom the same way as they did. He, too, looked for The Kingdom. He, too, looked for The King.
Then who goes to heaven? Those who have heard of The Dispensation of The Mystery, which had been hidden in God for ages and generations till revealed after Acts 28:28 to the apostle Paul, believe it for faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Those who hear and believe the revealed secret are blessed with every blessing that is spiritual in Heavenly Places. Their citizenship is there, and there they will someday soon be raised and glorified with The Head of The Church when He is Manifested to Heavenly beings and also to His Church. Search the Scripture and see. that these words are Truth and these words are Life.
