Perhaps you are thinking of Enoch and Elijah. First, consider Enoch. Genesis 5:24 (NIV), “Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.” And Hebrews 11:5 (NKJV), “By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, and was not found, because God had taken him; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.” 

Some believe these verses mean that Enoch did not die and was taken to heaven. However, Jesus, Himself, stated that no man had ever gone to heaven, except Him. “No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven–the Son of Man”, John 3:13 (NIV).

So what might the scripture mean that Enoch did not see death? There is no record as to where he was taken. How God took him, or for what purpose, is not revealed. Except we do know that Enoch was not taken to heaven.

Consider also Elijah. 2 Kings 2:11, “…suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.” Jesus’s words would again prove that Elijah had not gone to heaven where God and the angels live. However, “heaven” in the Bible can refer to the literal atmosphere around the earth. If the scripture is referring to the sky, the Lord may have taken Elijah and buried him somewhere else, just as the Lord secretly buried Moses. (Deuteronomy 34:6.) This is a suggestion.

However, we do know Elijah is a type. The Jews asked Jesus if John the Baptist was Elijah. Jesus replied, “if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.” Matthew 11:14 (NIV). Jesus was referring to the prophecy in Malachi 4:5-6 (NIV), “See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction.”

John the Baptist fulfilled this prediction so far as fleshly Israel was concerned. John came in the spirit and power of Elias (Luke 1:17). He would have answered as his antitype if he had been received. Yet John was not the Elias (Elijah), the Great Prophet, referred to by Malachi. The true antitypical Elijah is Jesus and His Church. Christ and His body members have been preaching repentance for almost 2,000 years. The antitypical Elijah has failed to establish unity and harmony between man and God. As a consequence, there is fast-approaching a worldwide time of trouble.

But don’t worry! After the nations have been humbled, Christ will establish His glorious kingdom on earth for all mankind!