| Entering Heaven before the Crucifixtion Question from on 05-26-2007: |
Hello Father; Father John Corapi said on EWTN during the Lenten Season that after Adam & Eve sinned and they were kicked out of Paradise; and that the gates of Heaven were shut closed until Jesus Died on the Cross and that nobody could enter into Heaven! Assuming this is true how then does one explain the Transfiguation in Luke 9/28-35? Jesus In his Full Radiant Glory conversing to Moses and Elijah also in radiant white garments? Were both Prophets in Heaven when at Mount Tabor Jesus was talking to Them? Wasn't Elijah taken to Heaven in a Chariot alive ? GOD BLESS !!! |
Answer by Fr. John Echert on 06-13-2007: |
| The traditional interpretation is not that Elijah went into the fullness of Heaven, that is, in the very Presence of God Himself, but either in some lower level of Heaven or in Paradise. Neither should we assume that Moses was in the fullness of Heaven. Again, it may have been a lower level of Heaven (we find references to levels of Heaven in Jewish writings and also mentioned by St. Paul) which can be an existence of happiness, but not the fullness, which was closed to the saints until the Resurrection of Christ. By the way, Elijah is still expected to return to earth, just prior to the Second Coming of Christ. Thanks, John Father Echert |
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