Book of Enoch Part 2
PROPHECY
Book of Enoch
Part 2
A view on the Book of Enoch
By Your servant, Dan Baxley
dan@servantsofyahshua.com
The Book of Enoch, wow, what a revealing book, what a marvel, what a bunch of --- Just to let you know which side I come down on when it comes to this piece of --- unknown work, from multiple authors, teaching biblically contradictory dribble – let me say it is junk. I know, I know, you will find sources and supporters of this trash all over the internet, but that does not make it so. It is filled with fantastic lies and contradicts our Lord. Now, you know, I am against this work of many, and of at least two different sources. So, if you are not upset at being told this Book of Enoch is junk, and if you can take the truth then keep reading. One thing for sure, this fake work seems to have a large following and growing. A new generation is growing up reviving old concepts once put to death. Elders claiming leadership in the Church authors of many books and fables, pressing new born converts with a rehash of false doctrines under the guise of being newly uncovered secrets is rubbish. Okay, enough about what I think -- on to using our brains to figure this out -- is the Book of Enoch reliable?
Enoch Wrote A Book?
The book of Enoch is interesting, I admit, but then I like science fiction, but in reality this piece of fiction is trash and cannot be relied upon. Now wait, before you get too upset, as a piece of literature it may be of interest, as a work of fiction it may be of interest, but when you have people running around teaching “doctrine” and connecting this to the Scriptures as a missing book, etc., etc., then that is another whole kettle of fish. The Book of Enoch, accepted by some (many) as written by Enoch is a sham, it is not the work of Enoch. I am not saying Enoch never mentioned anything concerning our Creator, I am saying the writings we have today are not his.
Imagine, if you will, Enoch, seventh from Adam, writes a book and then the Great Flood. Everyone and everything is destroyed, save Noah and his family – oh, and the book of Enoch. Please, if this were true why wasn’t this book mentioned by Moses, Joshua, Abraham, after all this would have been a pretty important book, right? It is disputed the writings about YaHshua, our Messiah and Savior are reliable or from originals, how much more the writings of Enoch, over a period of time twice that of the Apostles? The Apostles quoted one another, spoke of one another, quoted liberally from the Hebrew Scriptures but virtually ignored the Book of Enoch, that is, except for Jude.
Using a little logic and years of observation it has come to my attention that when a subject, concerning anything religious, is accepted by a mass of people and seems to fly in the face of the accepted Word, it is usually the first sign it is bunk, dribble, trash, false, unreliable and just plain wrong. Look, my friends, the sci-fi movie, Star Wars, is a tale about good and evil in the Universe, of the Dark Force against the Light Force but no one would dare suggest the screen play for this movie proves there is a Dark Force and a Light Force and then use the Holy Bible to prove this. Yes, there may be a Dark and Light Force, but it is not the movie that proves this. In the movie, there is a creature called Yoda, so, if we apply what those preaching the Book of Enoch as real, then Yoda must be real too. Do you see what I mean? Many of the so called Lost books of the bible have this quality of fiction and fable, and it is dangerous to base any doctrine, no matter how exciting, on such writings. And it should not be surprising to find the Christian teachers of this nonsense soon become advocates of the UFO invasion camp, with space aliens traveling about the universe, having their way with our women, and messing around with our DNA. It seems one demon teaching leads to another.
Using a little logic and years of observation it has come to my attention that when a subject, concerning anything religious, is accepted by a mass of people and seems to fly in the face of the accepted Word, it is usually the first sign it is bunk, dribble, trash, false, unreliable and just plain wrong. Look, my friends, the sci-fi movie, Star Wars, is a tale about good and evil in the Universe, of the Dark Force against the Light Force but no one would dare suggest the screen play for this movie proves there is a Dark Force and a Light Force and then use the Holy Bible to prove this. Yes, there may be a Dark and Light Force, but it is not the movie that proves this. In the movie, there is a creature called Yoda, so, if we apply what those preaching the Book of Enoch as real, then Yoda must be real too. Do you see what I mean? Many of the so called Lost books of the bible have this quality of fiction and fable, and it is dangerous to base any doctrine, no matter how exciting, on such writings. And it should not be surprising to find the Christian teachers of this nonsense soon become advocates of the UFO invasion camp, with space aliens traveling about the universe, having their way with our women, and messing around with our DNA. It seems one demon teaching leads to another.
What About Jude (Jude 1:6) ?
But what about Jude? He quoted from the Book of Enoch, didn't he? Well, maybe he did but the Book he quoted from was not the same Book of Enoch being promoted today. Maybe Jude had inside knowledge about a writing or teaching but where does he say anything about a Book of Enoch? (remember, 7th from Adam, before the Flood) that happen to fit with the teaching of our Lord’s return and used it to make a point. Yes, Scripture teaches our Lord is going to come with His angels, but this does not prove every single writer that makes this statement is writing the truth and deserves being raised to the status of canon law. Just because the Book of Enoch mention something in agreement with a prophecy of scripture does not make it canon. How many different ways can it be said?
(Jude 1:14-15) And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, to execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
Jude did not say much concerning a Book of Enoch, in fact, he said nothing. You have to assume he had a copy or read a copy or had heard someone mentioning what Enoch, the 7th from Adam had taught? Is this something he, Jude, most likely heard, and repeated in order to make a point? We are told nothing in support of a “Book of Enoch”. There is a Book of Enoch held in high esteem and considered to be canon law, in the possession of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church which is the only Church that considers this a conical book. If Jude, however, had been quoting from the Book of Enoch there would have been far more evidence and reference made to it by other Apostles.
Paul Quotes an Outside Source Also
There is an example of someone being quoted, or a saying being attributed to someone and no one then assumes the quote is saying new holy canon is being uncovered. We see this very thing in the following verse, a similar use of quoting other non-biblical sources to make a point –
(Titus 1:11) Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. KJV
Is everyone searching for this source Paul quotes to add it to the Holy bible? No, so why the Book of Enoch? Because, I believe, this false work wrongly attributed to the pre-flood Enoch helps to give credence to a false doctrine taught by those supporting this Jewish fables. If you desire proof of this try engaging any Ultra-Orthodox person of the Jewish faith and you will see how they will defend those ancient super Rabbis whose writings and teaching are full of “fables” and imaginations of the mind. This idea about fallen angels being the source of man's fall and their good intentions to help man were not appreciated by our Creator -- they make it sound as if these fallen angels only wanted what man had and then to help man in this new creation, forgetting about the tales of Giants the size of skyscrapers. Still, many a Christian author make profit from this, even into building cultic followings, or close to. Notice that Paul acknowledges the individual in the above quote (Titus 1:11) as a prophet and goes on to say this prophet witnesses against them and their spreading of lies and tales, giving heed to Jewish Fables.
If you look into this subject a little you will keep bumping into this term – pseudepigrapha, this term defines the literature in question – identified as Jewish fables. For your convenience I will quote the definition from Merriam Webster’s Dictionary:
pseudepigrapha –
1: plural : APOCRYPHA2 : any of various pseudonymous or anonymous Jewish religious writings of the period 200 B.C. to A.D. 200; especially : one of such writings (as the Psalms of Solomon) not included in any canon of biblical Scripture — usually used in plural
The dating of these writings spans 400 years being divided by the time our Messiah confronted the religious order of His time in the flesh and of His Apostles. Yes they have found some of these writings among the Dead Sea findings, but so what, these were reclusive Jews of a religious order having nothing to do with our Messiah. What is remarkable is that of the New Testament authors only Jude makes a small comment that some construe as proof Enoch wrote a book. There is another place where these writings are mentioned, which has already been quoted, Titus 1:11. Make no mistake, even the supporters of the book of Enoch as authentic refer to these writings as, pseudepigrapha (Jewish Fables), and in this they are admitting, whether they know it or not, that the writings they want so badly to be of the same authority as canonized Scripture, indeed, fables – Jewish fables, canonized – that my friends is fantasy thinking.
What Jude Does Not Say
Jude does not say, “From the Book of Enoch, I read …” or “The Ethiopian Book of Enoch says ….” Nope, Jude merely says what seemed to be common knowledge among the people he was speaking to. Not one of the other Apostles make reference to any writing transcending multiple millennia and supposedly surviving the “deluge” is then translated from a lost language into Hebrew and then Aramaic and is delivered into the hands of the Ultra-orthodox Ethiopian Church. Our Messiah never made mention of it, none of the Apostles mention it. Enoch, 7th from Adam is mentioned a couple of times. We have already read what Jude actually said, and did not say, concerning something commonly thought to be what Enoch taught (prophesied?) and apparently accepted by the audience Jude was speaking to. Jude, in his remark, was agreeing with that idea, confirming the return our Lord. What is really being mentioned and taught by Jude is that the Gospel, the Good News of a coming Salvation, was taught pre-flood. This would mean, mankind before the great deluge are without excuse and ignored the message of peace, with Noah eventually, being the only human worth saving (lucky for us) – and thank you Noah, thank you Father in Heaven for continuing your plan.
The other reference made concerning Enoch has nothing to do with a “book” and deserves mentioning. This next quote confirms the existence of Enoch and is a paraphrase of the very brief mention of Enoch in the Book of Genesis.
Enoch Translated?
In the letter to the Hebrews Paul writes concerning the “translation” of Enoch, as though he did not die? This opens up a whole other issue but there is not a mention of any Book of Enoch. It is interesting, however, what is said by Paul as to why Enoch was “translated”, or taken out of the way (as I read it). It was because of what Enoch taught, his “testimony”, and this is the very thing Jude was eluding to – what Enoch message had been, confirming the same message of today. Even, then, from the time of Adam, the Gospel message must have been delivered about a coming Savior and the people ignored it. So, Enoch, finding favored with YaHWeH was taken early, before his time, and would not suffer the Flood while Noah and his family were saved physically.
It is my belief that Enoch died and was secreted away, like Moses was, in a private burial by YaHWeH himself. Moses’ burial is nearly as mysterious as that of Enoch – little detail. It would only seem reasonable to assume that if Moses were taken by YHWH and buried then Enoch would receive the same honor.
(Deut 34:5-6) So Moses the servant of the YHWH died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the YHWH. And He buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Bethpeor: but no man knows of his sepulchre (grave) unto this day.
Enoch would not then see, or, experience death as the rest of mankind – in the coming flood. Keep in mind, the mention of Enoch in the Genesis record is right in the middle of relating the genealogies where an obvious point is being made concerning the length (span) of life -- these men were living lives of hundreds of years, some nearly a millennium. It is unusual then, that Enoch would live only 365 years, and I think the purpose of this was to save Enoch from the curse of the flood. My speculation is as good as any other
(Heb 11:5) By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
(Gen 5:21) And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah:
(Gen 5:22) And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:
(Gen 5:23) And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years:
(Gen 5:23) Altogether, Enoch lived 365 years. NIV
You will notice, Enoch was only alive for 365 years, he is not alive in Heaven. He was taken as was Moses and buried by YHWH and, like Moses, his grave was not found, he was not found.
God Took Him
Enoch died at the ripe age of 365 years but this was unusual as we see in the family tree, he being the 7th from Adam, his peers were living 800, 900, almost a millennium while he, Enoch, LIVED only 365 years. In the New Testament the word “translate” is used as opposed to the Hebrew/Aramaic word for “took”, and they are different.
(Gen 5:24) And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him. KJV
Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary: H3947 -- Tookla^qach -- law-kakh'
A primitive root; to take (in the widest variety of applications): - accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, X many, mingle, place, receive (-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win.
The issue, as mentioned before, concerning this business of “translation”, which many interpret to mean that Enoch was taken to Heaven without dying. You will notice, however, the original account in Genesis the word used is not “translate” but is a word that actually means to “take”, and it does not say, “take to heaven”. This is a misquote in the New Testament (Heb 11:5), using the Greek term, “translate”, is too suggestive and does not replicate the original, as it should, and because of this, should not be used. Enoch was taken by YHWH, not unlike when He took Moses, when he died and buried him and no one could find his grave.
(Deu 34:5-6) So Moses the servant of the LORD (YHWH) died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD (YHWH). And He (YHWH) buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Bethpeor: but no man knows of his sepulchre unto this day.
We must not forget, the Genesis account says Enoch “lived 365 years” and does not say he “lived forever”, it does not say “he went to heaven as an immortal”, no, it says “he lived” a mere 365 years. Is Paul in error then, or has the translators of the New Testament misconstrued the wording? If we stay with the purity of our Lord’s words we would have to say the bible translators got something wrong and have misquoted Paul. Paul speaking to Hebrews would have most certainly been speaking to them in their native tongue and would not have used a word suggesting something other than, Enoch died, having lived only 365 years. It has to be, when these writings of Paul were translated into Greek then into English the wording gets messed up. In fact, looking at this quote to the Hebrews, Paul seems to go on and suggest that Enoch does not die and is immortal. This, however, looks more like an added side-note by a translator than and actual quote.
Paul’s supposed remark, “… that he should not see death…”, would then contradict our Lord’s very clear words:
(John 3:13) And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
Only YaHshua has gone to Heaven, because that is where He is from. The word “translation” is, again, the Greek influence on Hebrew/Jewish writings. God TOOK Enoch, then, not to heaven, as not to see death (alive) as some suppose. Paul does seem to say this, “…that he should not see death…”, but again we must look for another explanation for Paul certainly would not have contradicted our Savior. Reading Genesis you will see that Enoch did not LIVE past 365 years – then what? He died, the opposite of LIVING FOREVER. Like I mentioned earlier, I believe, Enoch was taken, as Moses was, that men would not and could not find their graves, not even Satan. In Enoch’s case, so that he would not experience the horror of the deluge – he only LIVED 365 years, he is not and was not immortal.
In the Book of Enoch he, Enoch, has supposedly gone to Heaven and talked with our Creator, then returned. This contradicts what our Savior tells in John 3:13, “…no man as ascended up to Heaven…”, of course, this also contradicts other statements in the legitimate writings of the Apostles --
(John 1:18) No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
(1Jn 4:12) No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.
So, right from the start, the book of Enoch is in error -- either that or our Savior and His Apostles are not telling us the truth – which would you rather believe – of course, as a “believer” you do not need the Book of Enoch to support your faith.
There are many other things, like -- how is it Enoch is writing a book after all the facts? The book of Enoch, all of the various versions (three at last count) cannot be dated any further back BC 200. I know, this sounds very biblical but unlike the Hebrew Scriptures the Book of Enoch seems to have appeared from a combination of writings strung out over hundreds of years and compiled a few hundred years after the death of the last Apostles. True, some supporters of the Book of Enoch claim some early Church Fathers (No Apostles) quote from this Book, but this is all subjective, like Jude, making comments concerning the thoughts of others does not constitute a BOOK. If the Book of Enoch were legitimate it would be the oldest writings ever. Every culture, it seems, has a story about the Great Deluge, but no one has writings and stories from the other side of that Deluge, least of all a complete Book of Enoch.
Giants Roamed the Earth Eating Everything in Sight?
This Book, this collection of writings, seems to have been manufactured in parts and pieces to support various religious dreams and teachings – fables and fairytales. It is a mixture of things known and of fantastic tales, not unlike the Brothers Grimm. Giants over 400 feet tall, eating all the animals of the Earth then running out of food and start to eat humans? Really? Angels having sex with flesh and blood humans? So, guess where the giants (Nephilim) came from?
You will find this kind of writing all over the internet, speculations run rampant, fakery of every kind – pictures of giant bones of humans over 20 feet tall and all proven to be photo trickery (Photo shopped), but for some crazy reason there are those that will argue in favor of this deception and to what purpose? Still, even in all of this nonsense, no one has dared photo shop giant remains of anywhere near the stature mentioned in the so called Book of Enoch. Imagine, bones of dead giants that were over 400 feet in height – these bones would be as long as a cruise ship. Must be true, though, after all it’s in the Book of Enoch. Please.
For a Bible believing individual, called to YaHshua, you do not need this kind of new age, occultist, UFO thinking. He, YaHshua, is enough and His story told as the Gospel message should be and is enough. In the Days of Enoch and Noah the message, the Testimony, apparently wasn’t enough then either, and look where that got them.
Another small problem with the book of Enoch is prophetic writings applied to the “end times” that suggests the saints of our Savior will be given weapons and go out to kill other people not worthy. This is not the case and appears more like a view the Muslim Islamist may have -- blood up to your elbow in slaughter. Our God and Savior needs no help in subduing the world. It will be by the power of our Messiah, given Him by His and our Heavenly Father, to take possession of all Kingdoms (governments) of this Earth putting a stop to war. Yes, He will be coming with thousands of His angels and we can be thankful for that.
I could go on and on about the errors and the fantasy delivered by this Book of Enoch, pointing to the obvious these are not the writings of the Enoch of Genesis. There are a couple of sites going into much more detail. Check out the following if you want a taste of this false Book Exposed:
http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Wolves/book_of_enoch.htmhttp://www.neverthirsty.org/pp/corner/read2/r00810.html
Warning
Our Lord YaHshua gave us a warning, not just of those wolves pretending to be sincere believers but He gives a stern warning concerning His Name. He said many would come in His Name and saying He was indeed the Messiah and goes on to then warns about being deceived.
(Mat 24:5) For many shall come in My Name, saying, I am Christ (The Anointed); and shall deceive many.
I have written about this throughout much of my writings. The only protection you have is the locking down of His words and the Words of His recognized Apostles, all of whom live in the first century. Anything beyond them, or contradicted by them or Him should be exposed.
(Eph 5:10-11) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. KJV
Compare:
(Eph 5:11) Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
(Eph 5:12) For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.
(Eph 5:13-14) But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." NIV
There are already some web sites, teaching in the name of YaHWeH and YaHshua, showing up in support of the book of Noah. One group is even bragging about having restored the Name of our Creator to the false Book of Enoch and other “Lost Books” (so called), like the Book of Jasher and the Book of Adam. Most of these “book” or writings are Jewish fables. None of the Lost Books (so called, remember) add anything to the knowledge of our Savior as Savior. YaHshua delivers all of the revelation we need and from which His Apostles taught. We find them quoting fluently from the Hebrew Scriptures, the Torah (Law), the Writings, and the Prophets, not from any of the “Lost Books” (so called). I have to keep qualifying with, “so called”, because I cannot bring myself to call them “lost books” as they are anything but that. These writings are a fabrication and have never been lost and they claim to be from periods of time utterly impossible to trace. One thing is certain, when you really look into this, they cannot be traced back to the time they claim to represent. This is not to say everything these writings mention is a lie, no, indeed, Satan himself quoted from the Hebrew Scripture in a vain attempt at getting YaHshua to prove Himself. This does not then make everything Satan inspires his followers to say and write is true. No, he used the truth to then throw in deception, falsehood, anything to misdirect you. Stay with the same Bible the Apostles used and adhere to their teachings in clarifying that Book, the Hebrew Scriptures, not the Jewish fables of things made up and imaginations gone wild.
His Name – The Only Name Given
I do not agree with the use of the false name JESUS, that most of these sites preach and teach under, but this does not mean they do not have any truth. We do not all come to the same truth at the same time. We are not all called to the same knowledge and while babes in the Christ we move through a growing process. It would seem many of these babes and young believers have not yet been opened to this truth of YaHshua as Messiah, as opposed to the false use of the name JESUS. Many quote the scripture concerning the fact there is Salvation in no other, that there is only one Name under heaven by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12) but they mistakenly apply this to the false name JESUS, a name that did not exist until about 500 years ago and before that it was IESUS, a name that did not exist at the time of our Savior’s birth and a name foreign to the Apostles. This name, JESUS, has been inserted into the writings of the Apostles by translators trying to make the Holy Bible theirs, or of their language as opposed to any association with the Jews. Ask yourself, If there is a Name by which and under which we must all be saved then what do we supposed Satan would try to do?” Yes, Satan would attempt to cover the name, destroy this Name if at all possible, and he has had thousands of years to work on this kind of deception. A time is coming when this will be corrected and everyone will then see the truth, and understanding that it is YaHshua and it is His Name, not the name of “another” by which we must be saved. For now we must be patient, knowing this truth of truths will be revealed to all. HalleluYah --
Emily comments to: dan@servantsofyahshua.com