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>> “those who have gone to Heaven before us” <<
Read John 3:13.
Nobody has gone to heaven, but he who came down from heaven.
The dead sleep in the bosom of Abraham.
All who will ever be resurrected will be resurrected at the day of Trumpets. This is declared by Yeshua in Matthew 24, and affirmed by Paul in 1Corinthians 15, and 1Thessalonians 4.
A figure of speech, and you’re making another point about not praying to Saints.