The Book of Enoch is contested all over the place either for or against. Should it still be included in the Christian Bible? Well it use to be.
Either way, it’s a fascinating read, and I believe is a great pre-flood historical reference to what was going on in the earth at that time, which the Bible says relatively little about it.
What’s in the Book of Enoch?
So what is the book of Enoch all about? Enoch himself is described in the book sporting his name, as a man whose eyes God had opened. This caused for Enoch to have several visions which we can find recorded in the book.
He took some incredible journeys with the angels of God showing him different places on the earth, in the earth, above the earth, and even the Lake of Fire itself. All the while, angels accompanying him explained what he was looking at, and what God made these different places for.
Is Jesus in the Book of Enoch?
Enoch Chapter 46:
1 There I beheld the Ancient of days whose head was like white wool, and with him another, whose countenance resembled that of a man. His countenance was full of grace, like that of one of the holy angels.
Then I inquired of one of the angels, who went with me, and who showed me every secret thing, concerning this Son of man; who he was; whence he was; and why he accompanied the Ancient of days.
2 He answered and said to me, This is the Son of man, to whom righteousness belongs; with whom righteousness has dwelt; and who will reveal all the treasures of that which is concealed: for the Lord of spirits has chosen him; and his portion has surpassed all before the Lord of spirits in everlasting uprightness.
There are several other allusions to Christ Jesus found in the book as well, and amazingly enough, end time prophecy actually uttered before the flood! In many ways, these prophecies reflect what we can find in the Bible about the end of days, and the day of the Lord. Much of the terminology that is used in the Book of Enoch would remind you of the terms that we’ve become familiar with in the Bible.
Aligning with Scripture
There are particular similarities in any given section where either Enoch, Angels, or both, are offering up praise and worship to the Lord. Very reminiscent to what we find in Revelation when John was taken up and brought to God’s throne room.
But the scene was a bit different in Enoch. Instead of the place being filled with Saints and Angels, it appeared to me anyways, that it was all Angels.
But, that is also consistent with the Bible, as Jesus had not yet come preaching the Kingdom of Heaven. Before Christ, Heaven was not available to people. There was a Paradise side to Sheol, which is also covered in a strange way in Enoch.
Jesus had explained the two different sides to Sheol in the parable of the rich man and the beggar found in Luke 16. But as far as Heaven goes, back in Enoch’s day the human population was zero, and while Jesus was walking the earth the human population was exactly two. Elijah and Enoch.
Enoch the Scribe
Back to Enoch himself, he was referred to as Enoch the scribe by the Watchers that dwelt on the earth in those days, which can be found in the book as well. It’s strange reading about what’s going on back then.
There was all kinds of ugliness going on across the face of the earth, involving beings with supernatural abilities and incredible size, committing shameful acts and inventing all practices of sin into existence. But it seems that they all had one thing in common. They all seemed to fear and respect Enoch the man of God.
In fact it is recorded that they even called upon Enoch to offer up supplication to the Lord on their behalf, because they dared not to because of their shame. It didn’t work out too well for them. Even their request was found to be cause for rebuke and in no way helped them out.
Enoch in the Bible
First off, let’s see what the Bible has to say about Enoch himself. We’ll start with his father Jared (Who was 6th from Adam).
I do that because that is the point where the Angels came down and took wives of the daughters of men. A huge deal in the pre-flood world and is still a huge deal today. No pun intended with the usage of the word huge.
Genesis 5:18-25 King James Bible
18 And Jared lived an hundred sixty and two years, and he begat Enoch: 19 And Jared lived after he begat Enoch eight hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: 20 And all the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty and two years: and he died.
21 And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah: 22 And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:
23 And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: 24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him. 25 And Methuselah lived an hundred eighty and seven years, and begat Lamech.
And I would also like to add, Lamech is Noah’s Father (should give us a good beat on where all this is going on it the timeline of things – pre-flood).
The Lord Took Him
Enoch was a special guy in his time, special enough for the Lord to take him. Enoch did not die. There is only one other person in the Bible who was also taken by God, and that was Elijah.
And we have a good record of the awesome power that God displayed through Elijah’s service and ministry in the Bible. But there are only few references in the Word concerning Enoch himself.
New Testament Quotes from Enoch
Hebrews 11: King James Bible
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.
Jude 1: King James Bible
14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
What I’m trying to build a case for is this… Both Paul and Jude knew allot more than we do about Enoch, and they learned it from somewhere. There are verses where it’s argued that Jesus quoted from the 1 Book of Enoch concerning himself.
As far as I’ve seen and heard about this book, 1 Enoch or the Ethiopic version, is the most likely to be the closest copy of the original text, that Enoch’s grandson Noah took with him on the Ark.
Anywhere I’ve looked into it, this particular version seems to be the least messed with over time. Any original work has of course been lost to time.
It seems that there’s much to learn from that little book; expanding and providing insight into what was going on in Genesis chapter six. As far as that topic goes, Enoch doesn’t in any way go crosswise with God’s Word at all.
History, Prophecy, and Reference
These are the reasons I’ve found myself using the book of Enoch to make a couple of references, particularly in the “Are Demons Real Series” and also for the book, “Kingdom of Darkness in a Fallen World.”
The Book of the Giants (part of the Book of Enoch), gives us insight into precisely what forced God’s hand into destroying the world via the flood. This is also covered in detail in the book.
I’ve always found it important to discover the exact reasoning behind the flood. Since Jesus uttered the phrase “as in the days of Noah,” relating those days to the days leading up to his return, it’s best for us to get the most thorough understanding that the Lord is willing to provide.
Despite all of this, I would not promote reading or studying this book (or any other extra-biblical text for that matter), without first having a firm grasp and understanding of God’s Word itself. We all need eyes to see deception, and when it comes to texts from of old, measure all things through the lens of God’s Word. It is truly our measuring stick for truth.
Just because a book is ancient, doesn’t make it right, accurate, or honest. If archaeologists found a copy of a Star Wars book thousands of years from now, after a history erasing cataclysmic event, would it rightly reflect real life of the mid to late 1970’s?
My Personal Theory Concerning the Book of Enoch
My personal thoughts concerning the Book of Enoch is the following. I believe that the Lord had kept this preserved, in order to give us insight into a world that was washed away.
Why would we care? Well Genesis six fills us in concerning the Giants or Nephilim in the land in those days, and also after. Nephilim or Giants in the land was recorded well after the flood, and if studied carefully, is the reason for all the clearing out of tribes and the destruction of cities when Joshua was clearing out the land of Canaan.
Those tribes were either Nephilim or people who had been contaminated by them and their practices that were related to their previously flooded brethren. So when reading the first several chapters, it’s clear that (if you know your Bible) there are obscure references in Genesis that the book of Enoch explained in much greater detail.
It is clear to me that Satan, all of his fallen Angels (that didn’t wind up being chained for all eternity as some had apparently), have pulled the blocks out in these days. The information given to us in the preserved Ethiopic version of the Book of Enoch, gives us parallels to different things we can see at work in this very day and age. Also, it explains the huge technology surge that we’ve experienced since the late 1800’s.
I say that because some that have taken the time to have done the math, and have calculated that the seventy generations the majority of the fallen angels were to be imprisoned (since the time that it was supposed to have been recorded), falls into a window of time landing between late 1800’s and early 1900’s.
Why is this important? Well, just take a look at some of the technological advancements that have skyrocketed since that period of time.
In the event you are prompted to check it out, take a look at what the Fallen Angels were doing in those days, and take a look at the things that are going on since the early 1900’s. Actually, there may be a time I’ll dive in deeper to compare then and now.
There seems to be enough there to create a couple pages on, so I won’t dominate this one with the details of how the same characteristics that applied in the pre-flood world, are back in the limelight today. I truly believe that God is bringing this book up to the forefront, to give us an explanation to what Jesus said in Matthew 24:
37 But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
What better reason could we have, to try and comprehend exactly how the days of Noah were, in order to discern when they come back? Right? Jesus said that for a good reason, and I don’t think it simply has anything to strictly do with man sinning to a great extent. That’s been going on ever since, albeit getting worse, but it’s always been there.
Here is some commentary with some great facts about the Book of Enoch and lays out the groundwork concerning the debates and controversy behind this ancient writing. Timothy Alberino from GenSix Productions
So, to conclude I’ll say this:
First and foremost, get to know the Word of God, nothing on this earth can compare to it in it’s truth, riches, revelation, and blessings! Stay in God’s Word, and if you don’t have your own personal copy of the Word of God, you can get one HERE!
He has it prepared so that you can read it for the rest of your life, and learn something new, and will constantly wash you and rejuvenate your spirit. The Word of God is food for your spirit. Man doesn’t live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.
Has the World tampered with your prayer life?
If you’ve never buckled down to feast on God’s word, you haven’t lived! All that being said, the Book which bears the name of Enoch is not anywhere near the spiritual standard of the Bible, but is an excellent reference source, and fills in a couple of gaps left behind in Genesis.
I’ve had a few different copies of the book of Enoch in the past, but like I’ve said earlier, you need to be careful, particularly concerning whether or not the author covering the book is allowing it to either speak for itself, or (in the case of one of the copies I wound up with) coming from an occult perspective. There are several groups out there that take this book and use it for their own purposes, chief among these groups are the Masons.
If you want to really get deep into study concerning the matters brought up here, and want to get your hands on a copy of the Book of Enoch & much more, I would highly suggest getting a copy from Tom Horn. Chances are pretty good that you may have caught him on Prophecy in the News, Prophecy Watchers, Skywatch News, Hagmann & Hagmann, and the Jim Baker Show.
He is a Christian through and through and I trust him with the raw information that he gives concerning this book of Enoch as well as other Apocryphal books.
So what is your opinion about the Book of Enoch?
Would you think it should stay in the category of a historical document?
Or do you believe that we should be taking a closer look into the strange writings of this Old Testament, pre-flood Prophet?
Leave your comments below.
Please feel free to share if you feel compelled to do so, I would certainly appreciate it! Also comment if you’ve got one! Thank you for reading this page (more like an editorial) about the Book of Enoch, and I hope you continue on to some of the other pages that are geared toward biblical study on this site!
