Inquiry:
The Bible says, “And no one hath ascended up to heaven, but He that came down from heaven, even the Son of Man which is in heaven” (John 3:13). However, we also read, “And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven” (2 Kings 2:11). Is there a contradiction?
Response:
The questioner would do well to consider the context of statements before assuning that a contradiction is present. In the context of John 3, Jesus speaks with Nicodemus, a religious leader of Israel. After speaking with Nicodemus about the need to be born again, Jesus said, “Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of Man which is in heaven” (John 3:9-13). The question must be considered, is Jesus simply saying that no one has ever ascended to heaven (which would clearly contradict 2 Kings 2:11; Genesis 5:24; and Hebrews 11:5), or does the context help us determine what the Lord meant?
To speak authoritatively of heavenly things (v 12), one must have entered heaven and returned. The only one who has come from heaven, and is able to speak authoritatively regarding the heavenly things is the Lord (v 13; cf. John 1:18; 6:46; Luke 10:22). The text does not say no one has evern ascended to heaven, but that none are like the Lord, who has come down from heaven to reveal heavenly things to us.
There is no contradiction.
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