Seth: When Men Turned to God
49
For three hundred years Enoch had walked with God. Day by day
he had longed for a closer union; nearer and nearer had grown the
communion, until God took him to Himself. Now the walk with God,
so long pursued on earth, continued, and he passed through the gates
of the Holy City—the first from among men to enter there.
His loss was felt on earth. Some, both righteous and wicked, had
witnessed his departure. Those who loved him made diligent search,
but without avail. They reported that he “was not,” for God had taken
him.
By the translation of Enoch the Lord designed to teach an important
lesson. There was danger that men would yield to discouragement
because of the fearful results of Adam’s sin. Many were ready to
exclaim, “What profit is it that we have feared the Lord and have kept
His ordinances, since a heavy curse is resting upon the race, and death
is the portion of us all?” Satan was urging upon men the belief that
there was no reward for the righteous or punishment of the wicked,
and that it was impossible for men to obey the divine statutes. But in
the case of Enoch, God shows what He will do for those who keep His
commandments. Men were taught that it is possible to obey the law
of God, that they were able by grace to resist temptation and become
pure and holy. His translation was an evidence of the truth of his
prophecy concerning the hereafter, with its award of immortal life to
the obedient and of condemnation and death to the transgressor.
By faith Enoch “was translated that he should not see death, ...
for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.”
Hebrews 11:5
. The godly character of this prophet represents the state
of holiness which must be attained by those who shall be “redeemed
from the earth” (
Revelation 14:3
) at Christ’s second advent. Then,
as before the Flood, iniquity will prevail. Men will rebel against
the authority of Heaven. But like Enoch, God’s people will seek for
purity of heart and conformity to His will, until they shall reflect the
[50]
likeness of Christ. Like Enoch they will warn the world of the Lord’s
second coming and by their holy example will condemn the sins of the
ungodly. As Enoch was translated to heaven, so the living righteous
will be translated from the earth before its destruction by fire. See
1
Corinthians 15:51, 52
;
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18
.
[51]