Bible Questions and Answers
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The writer to the Hebrews speaks of Enoch as a man of faith but the reference is to Genesis 5:24 and not to anything in the so-called Book of Enoch.
Hebrews 11:5 By faith Enoch was taken so that he did not experience death; and "he was not found, because God had taken him." For it was attested before he was taken away that "he had pleased God."
Jude speaks of a prophecy of Enoch. Jude 1:14 It was also about these that Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied, saying, "See, the Lord is coming with ten thousands of his holy ones, 15 to execute judgment on all, and to convict everyone of all the deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him."
This prophecy of Enoch appears in the Book of Enoch. See http://www.exodus2006.com/ENOCH.HTM
1) THE BLESSING OF ENOCH 1.9 And behold! He comes with ten thousand Holy Ones; to execute judgment upon them and to destroy the impious, and to contend with all flesh concerning everything that the sinners and the impious have done and wrought against Him.
To use this fact to establish the whole of the Book of Enoch as inspired by God and equal to the rest of scripture is a step too far.
Anyone who is familiar with the scripture of the Old and New Testaments will easily recognise that the Book of Enoch is not scripture. It is for the most part fanciful drivel tacked on to narrative and prophecy of genuine scripture.
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We can take it on Jude’s authority that what he quotes of Enoch’s prophecy is genuine, but we would be very unwise to accept the rest of the book as coming from Enoch.
My suggestion is that you familiarise yourself with genuine scripture and then read the Book of Enoch to see the difference.
The third heaven
2 Corinthians 12:2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven.
‘Caught up’ in the Greek does not imply caught ‘up’ as in an upwards direction but rather caught ‘away’ as so translated in Acts 8.
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AV Acts 8:39... the Spirit of the Lord ‘caught away’ Philip...
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I suggest to you that as there is no third heaven in an upward direction spoken of anywhere else in scripture, Paul is not speaking of a movement in space but rather in time.
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I support this by God’s promise of a new heaven and a new earth. This does not mean a physical replacement but rather a new order of things. AV Isaiah 65:17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. 18 But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.
Anyone who is familiar with the scripture of the Old and New Testaments will easily recognise that the Book of Enoch is not scripture. It is for the most part fanciful drivel tacked on to narrative and prophecy of genuine scripture.
.
We can take it on Jude’s authority that what he quotes of Enoch’s prophecy is genuine, but we would be very unwise to accept the rest of the book as coming from Enoch.
My suggestion is that you familiarise yourself with genuine scripture and then read the Book of Enoch to see the difference.
The third heaven
2 Corinthians 12:2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven.
‘Caught up’ in the Greek does not imply caught ‘up’ as in an upwards direction but rather caught ‘away’ as so translated in Acts 8.
.
AV Acts 8:39... the Spirit of the Lord ‘caught away’ Philip...
.
I suggest to you that as there is no third heaven in an upward direction spoken of anywhere else in scripture, Paul is not speaking of a movement in space but rather in time.
.
I support this by God’s promise of a new heaven and a new earth. This does not mean a physical replacement but rather a new order of things. AV Isaiah 65:17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. 18 But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.
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2 Peter 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
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We can understand this being the third heaven in two ways:
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1st Heaven and Earth - from creation to the flood; 2nd - From the flood to the return of Christ: 3rd - The kingdom of God.
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OR
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We can understand this being the third heaven in two ways:
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1st Heaven and Earth - from creation to the flood; 2nd - From the flood to the return of Christ: 3rd - The kingdom of God.
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OR
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1st Heaven and Earth - from creation to the return of Christ; 2nd - The Millennial reign of Christ; 3rd - When God is all in all.
Paul explains what is going to happen:
1 Corinthians 15:20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. 24 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. 25 For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet.
26 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. 27 For "He has put all things under His feet." But when He says "all things are put under Him," it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. 28 Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.
26 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. 27 For "He has put all things under His feet." But when He says "all things are put under Him," it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. 28 Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.
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This will be the fulfilment of God’s declared purpose. Numbers 14:21 "but truly, as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD
This will be the fulfilment of God’s declared purpose. Numbers 14:21 "but truly, as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD
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The Bible clearly says that we do not go to heaven – our promised eternal inheritance is on the earth therefore it would make far more sense if the man ‘caught away’ was shown the glories of the future age rather than a region of space.
The Bible does not say that Enoch went to heaven.
The Bible clearly says that we do not go to heaven – our promised eternal inheritance is on the earth therefore it would make far more sense if the man ‘caught away’ was shown the glories of the future age rather than a region of space.
The Bible does not say that Enoch went to heaven.
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Jesus says: John 3:13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven...
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The Book of Enoch does support the idea of a new heaven in time rather than space.
19) PROPHECY OF THE TEN WEEKS
91.16 And the First Heaven will vanish and pass away and a New Heaven will appear, and all the Powers of Heaven will shine forever, with sevenfold light.
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In the Book of Enoch I could not find any mention of a third heaven, perhaps you could give me the reference.
19) PROPHECY OF THE TEN WEEKS
91.16 And the First Heaven will vanish and pass away and a New Heaven will appear, and all the Powers of Heaven will shine forever, with sevenfold light.
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In the Book of Enoch I could not find any mention of a third heaven, perhaps you could give me the reference.
I hope this helps.
Glenn Smith
Glenn Smith
