In the ancient lists of the first generations of humanity, there is a somber rhythm. The Book of Genesis lists the patriarchs one by one, and for each, it ends with the same final phrase: “And then he died.”
It is the inescapable fate of all men. But when the list reaches the seventh generation from Adam, the rhythm suddenly breaks. We are introduced to a man named Enoch. And concerning him, the scripture says something unparalleled:
“And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.” (Genesis 5:24)
He did not die. He simply ceased to be part of this world because God took him away.
Enoch is one of the most enigmatic figures in the Bible. While Genesis devotes only a few sentences to him, his legacy is immense. Who was this man who was judged too righteous for the grave? And what did he see that required him to leave the earth alive?
The Hidden Book
Many are surprised to learn that there is a “Book of Enoch.” It is an ancient text attributed to the prophet himself.
It is important to note that this book is not found in the standard Bibles used by most churches today (it is not considered “Canon,” except in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church). It is classified as “Apocrypha”—books that are hidden or outside the official collection.
However, we cannot ignore it. The Bible itself acknowledges it. In the New Testament, the Book of Jude (verses 14-15) quotes a specific prophecy directly from the Book of Enoch. This tells us that the apostles and early believers were not only aware of this book but treated its words with deep respect.
The Watchers and the Forbidden Secrets
While Genesis gives us a brief summary of the days before the Great Flood, the Book of Enoch tells the full, terrifying story.
It describes a group of angels known as “The Watchers.” According to the text, these were not demons from the start, but celestial guardians who rebelled. They descended onto Mount Hermon and made a pact to defy the Creator. They took human women as wives, and from this unnatural union, a race of giants known as the Nephilim was born.
But their crime was not just physical; it was spiritual. Enoch records that these fallen angels taught humanity secrets that were not meant for them:
- They taught men how to forge swords and weapons of war.
- They taught women how to use cosmetics and sorcery.
- They revealed the secrets of the stars (astrology) and the roots of the earth.
Enoch describes a world that was being corrupted by knowledge given by beings who were never meant to walk among us.
The Journey Through the Heavens
Unlike other prophets who received visions while sleeping, Enoch describes a physical ascent. He was lifted from the earth and taken on a journey through the cosmos.
His descriptions are vivid and awe-inspiring. He was shown:
- The Ends of the Earth: Places where the winds and lightning are stored.
- The Prison of the Stars: A chaotic abyss where the rebellious angels are bound until the day of judgment.
- The Portals of Heaven: The gates through which the sun and moon rise, obeying strict celestial laws.
He was given a tour of the universe by the angels, seeing the mechanics of creation that no other human eye had ever witnessed.
Face to Face with the Divine
The climax of his journey is his entrance into the highest Heaven. He describes approaching a great wall of crystal surrounded by tongues of fire.
He entered a house that was hot as fire and cold as ice. In the center stood a lofty throne, its appearance like frost, and its wheels like the shining sun. Sitting on the throne was the “Great Glory”—the Creator Himself.
Enoch writes:
“None of the angels could enter and could behold His face by reason of the magnificence and glory and no flesh could behold Him.”
Yet, Enoch was allowed to approach. He fell on his face, trembling. But the Divine voice called him to stand up. He was transformed from a simple man into a heavenly scribe, tasked with writing down the judgment of the Watchers and the ultimate destiny of humanity.
The Warning
Enoch’s story is more than just a legend. It serves as a bridge between the earthly and the divine. He lived in a time very much like our own—an age of corruption, violence, and forbidden knowledge.
He stands as a witness that there is a reality beyond what we can see. And his disappearance reminds us that for those who truly “walk with God,” the laws of nature—even death itself—can be broken.
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