Lorenzo Palon

In our world today, there are two distinct groups when it comes to the belief in the impending judgment of our world. On one hand, there is a company of believers within the Christian church who wholeheartedly embrace God’s word and acknowledge the certainty of divine judgment. On the other hand, there are those who scoff at the idea of judgment and hold that everything will continue as it is for eternity. These differing viewpoints are evident within the Christian church as well. Some emphasize the importance of living a life pleasing to God, understanding His holiness and the necessity of obedience. Others, however, believe that finding happiness through their own devices is the key, disregarding scriptural warnings and appeals for godly living.

In the midst of these contrasting perspectives, we are reminded of the faith of a man named Enoch, who lived in the early days of our human race. His unwavering faith is encapsulated in a single sentence in the book of Genesis: “Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away” (Genesis 5:24). The New Testament also commends Enoch’s faith, stating that he was taken from this life and did not experience death because he pleased God (Hebrews 11:5).

God has graciously provided us with a faithful record of Enoch’s example of faith and his intimate fellowship with God. Throughout the book of Genesis, God reveals more about His presence in creation and in history than the intricate details of human civilization. We firmly believe that God, in His eternal wisdom, created the heavens and the earth. The material universe came into existence through His divine power, and the first man and woman were created. However, they tragically failed in their encounter with Satan, leading to a narrative of human failure against the backdrop of God’s unwavering faithfulness.

We learn from the account of Cain and Abel, two sons of Adam and Eve, that Cain rejected God’s plan for redemption and salvation. Cain’s refusal culminated in the murder of his brother, setting the stage for a civilization characterized by evil and ultimately leading to the judgment of the Flood. Yet, in the brief record of Cain’s oldest son, we see the organic unity of all humanity and our shared bloodline. It becomes clear that all people descended from Adam are bound together as one human race, sharing a natural brotherhood across the earth.

However, this natural brotherhood is tainted by sin. It reflects the brotherhood of those who are spiritually lost. But God, in His infinite love and mercy, offers a solution to this brokenness. He calls out a chosen people, Israel, to ensure the coming of the Messiah-Savior with His miraculous offer of salvation and renewal. This new brotherhood, known today as the believing church of Jesus Christ, is based on the regeneration and restoration brought about by Jesus’ sacrificial death and triumphant resurrection. Without Jesus’ coming into the world, His redemptive sacrifice, and His victory over death, there would be no basis for unity and wholeness within the human race. We cannot truly understand the brotherhood of mankind without recognizing the work of God in forming the fellowship of the redeemed – the Church, His Body on earth.

Returning to Enoch, the seventh generation from Adam through Seth, we are captivated by his remarkable ability to resist the temptations of his worldly society and find intimate fellowship with his Creator-God. In the midst of rampant sin and corruption, Enoch’s daily walk exemplified faith and communion with God. His life serves as a powerful testament to Christians today. Enoch’s unwavering faith and boldness become a measure of our own preparedness for the return of Jesus Christ to this earth. As believers in the twenty-first century, walking by faith, we hold firmly to the promise of Jesus’ return for His church – the redeemed brotherhood.

Jesus Himself promised His disciples that He would return, cautioning them not to believe in false claims of His whereabouts. His second coming will be as unmistakable as lightning flashing from east to west (Matthew 24:26-27). In the Letter to the Hebrews, His first coming is described as the ultimate sacrifice to do away with sin, whereas His second coming will bring ultimate salvation to those eagerly awaiting Him (Hebrews 9:27-28).

Enoch serves as a type, a preview, of the future rapture of the church – the bride of Christ – as described in the Scriptures. While cautioning against building doctrines solely on types, his faith and experience offer encouragement to every believer. We are reminded that our hope in the promise of Christ’s return may be considered extreme by many in our generation. Nevertheless, we firmly hold to this teaching, rooted in the entire Word of God. Our belief aligns with the general outlines of prophetic events described in the Scriptures and accepted by conservative, evangelical Christians who regard the Bible as the inspired and revealed Word of God.

Enoch’s translation into the presence of God serves as a comforting assurance that our Lord Jesus Christ could return soon. As we contemplate the countless details of Christian eschatology, we remain open to God’s timing and plans. Our understanding of our promised heavenly home is but a glimpse of what God has prepared for us, His children. The timing of Enoch’s translation is worth noting – it occurred just before the judgment of the Flood, an event triggered by sin and ungodliness. Jesus Himself emphasized the parallel, cautioning that His second coming will be like the days of Noah, marked by unsuspecting indulgence in worldly affairs until the moment of divine intervention (Matthew 24:37-39).

As believers, we often find ourselves questioning if we are truly living in preparation for the return of our Lord and our eternity spent with Him. While we may struggle with feelings of discouragement and shortcomings, the faith of Enoch serves as an inspiration to walk with the King of Heaven while we tread this troubled world. By walking in faith and resisting the devil’s devices, we detach ourselves from the ways of our generation and demonstrate our commitment to serve God. Loneliness may accompany this detachment, but it is far better to stand alone with God than to blindly follow the multitude over the cliff of unbelief.

Therefore, Enoch’s unwavering faith and distinctiveness in his generation remain an encouragement for us today. His example urges us to live for God in the midst of a world that denies the urgency of faith. We, as believing Christians, confidently anticipate the return of our Lord Jesus Christ, for we know that our lives are intimately connected to the eternally faithful God. Just as Enoch’s life and testimony have become an encouragement to past generations, let us live in such a way that our lives may bless future generations. May we detach ourselves from the ways of this world and walk faithfully with God, even in the face of opposition.